Beach House

We like a lot of different music around here at Sweet Iced Tea. For example, my playlist includes everything from bluegrass, classic rock, classical, indie pop (that is one genre people), jazz, Christian, etc…  Last week, Peter and I went to see Beach House.  No, that is not a house on the beach, it is a band.

Based out of Baltimore, Maryland, Beach House is hard to place in one genre (as are many bands these days).  It is moody, with ups and downs that transition slowly throughout each track.  The instrumental and synthesized sounds, on their newest album, “Bloom,” and the vocals of lead singer, Victoria Legrand can take you on a listening party journey, if time permits. However, this album is wonderful in that you don’t have to sit and listen for hours trying to discover song meaning, or turn down the volume for bits that are so overpowering you find yourself jumping. This is the perfect album to turn on, start a new recipe in the kitchen, and pour yourself a glass of wine.  Soon enough you will find yourself singing harmony. Well, ok, that might just be me.  It is an album that would make a fantastic movie soundtrack in its entirety, but for now it might just be the perfect soundtrack to your evening.

Here are a couple of upcoming shows in our neck of the woods:

July 9^th – Tulsa, Oklahoma

July 12^th – Memphis, Tennessee

July 13-15^th – Louisville, Kentucky

For a limited time you can also listen to the entire album, “Bloom” on NPR.

<picture was taken at the show in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and they put on a good show.>

When a Man Loves a Woman

We’ve got love on the brain this week. One half of this blog is getting her own Mr. SIT this weekend. That’s right, Becky is getting married! And I’m so excited I’m getting to travel back to Florida for the sacred occasion, so I’ve been listening to my favorite love songs in honor of her upcoming nuptials.

I remember the first time I heard When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge. Every Wednesday night when I was a kid, my family and I sat down after we got home from church to watch The Wonder Years. It’s still my all time favorite show, but I so specifically remember that episode where Kevin first kisses Wendy. I fell in love right then — with the song, that is.

This soulful song, turns out, was recorded in the South, at Norala Sound Studio in Alabama. Turns out, before the recording session, the melody had been written, but Mr. Sledge improvised those classic lyrics. Magic.

Take a listen if you haven’t recently. I love how romantic it is to think a man would “turn his back on his best friend if he put her down.”

P.S. — Because of all the great music used in the episodes, The Wonder Years has never been released onto DVDs. But, you can watch them right now on Netflix!

Kristin Chenoweth

I’ve only twice in my life sat down to read a book, and then proceed to sit right there and read the entire thing in one sitting.

One of those was the hilarious autobiography of the talented Ms. Kristin Chenoweth.

I fell in love with this lady during her foray into television as Olive on the too short-lived Pushing Daisies. But before and since, she’s starred as Glinda in the beloved Broadway musical Wicked (and a host of other great shows), on the popular drama West Wing, naturally had guest starring roles on Glee, and is currently in the controversial G.C.B. This girl has been a hoot in movies such as RV and Four Christmases, and every time I see her interviewed, she just exudes energy, charm, and graciousness.

So you know I had to pick up her biography A Little Bit Wicked. And hence, the entire Saturday morning blithely whiled away in bed with this entertaining read. What a life she’s had already! While technically from Oklahoma, this girl is as Southern as it gets at heart. (And that’s all that really matters, isn’t it?)

If you (ladies, especially) love the theater and showbiz, pick up this fast read for some perfect summer fun. You’ll fall in love with gorgeous Kristin along with her foibles and adventures (she has her own very well known “Mr. Big” if you know what I mean).

Read any good books lately?

Sweet Home WHERE?

 

Last night, I was at a show. For the final song, the band broke out into a crowd favorite. As soon as you hear those opening notes, you know it’s gonna be fun.

And then.

In the final chorus, the singer thought he’d appeal to the audience, and changed the words to “Sweet Home California!”

I was deeply offended.

Well, only a little offended. But you know what? I realized something, in that moment that has sort of summed up our past two years out here on the West Coast: in the same way singing about the swamplands just didn’t work among these dear granola lovers, my Jesus-loving, butter-slatthering, hydrangea-growing, hot weather-craving self just doesn’t totally fit out here. Folks are surprisingly really nice out this way. But I get a little weary of being asked two or three times a week, “Where’s that accent from?” (Though I’m never ashamed to say where, I don’t think I have an “accent!”)

It’s like when you’ve been on a really great vacation. You know, you’ve had the time of your life, made memories you’ll never forget, but you just want to be home. Home — to unpack your things, to stand in your own kitchen, and get back to the friends you so dearly miss.

So while I really didn’t mind hearing the crowd sing along to “Sweet Home California,” that song will always have a special place in my heart. After all, it reminds me of home. I spent a few glorious years living in Jacksonville, the hometown of the noble band itself, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a few more of my childhood living in in Alabama.

So remember, y’all. It’s Sweet Home ALABAMA. It’s a classic. And no other state will do.

What’s your favorite Southern anthem?

[For a different take at this classic song, check out one of my favorite blogs by Southern Seminary professor and country music lover Russell Moore featuring his popular series The Cross and the Jukebox on "Sweet Home Alabama."]

Southern Picture: Javen Photography Interview

As you all well know, I’m blessed to have extremely talented friends. I consider myself lucky to have and handful of dear friends. Of six of us girls that grew up together, one is  an accomplished musician, one runs the Wealth Management department at Morgan Keegan, one is a nurse (and newly married!), one is the best mommy I think I’ve ever observed – her kids are smart, adorable, and well-mannered. I’m a little humbled to be around this group of girls, well, women now!

It’s funny how you can grow up with a bunch, and then all the sudden, one day be sitting around a table having lunch and look around and see a group of smart, beautiful girls that you’re proud to know.

So I’ve asked one of my best, Ashley, to give us a little interview today. Ashley and her husband, Justin, own a sought-after photography business in Memphis, Javen Photography.

Ashley comes from a line of photographers. Her dad has long had one of the most established and successful photography businesses in Memphis. But let me assure you, it’s not an automatic thing. As someone who has a photographer dad and sister myself, just because you’re around it, doesn’t mean you have the eye. You can teach technique, but not artistic ability. But let me assure you, Ashley has the talent.

So today, Ashley has taken time out of her busy schedule (she’s a new mom!) to answer a few questions that I may or may not already know the answers to (you see, I lived with Ash in college, so I know most of her secrets).

And speaking of friends, I just have to share with y’all, one of the greatest quotes I love on friendship, from a favorite author, C.S. Lewis:

“But in Friendship, being free of all that, we think we have chosen our peers. In reality, a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university or another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting — any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the Ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others.”

Celebrate your friends. Autumn is a perfect time to reconnect. And if you have a friend with a special talent, maybe you can schedule some time to see if she might give you a few tips. In the meantime, you can borrow mine.

 

Sweet Iced Tea: When did you first start taking pictures?

Ashley: Justin and I both have a unique background … both of our dad’s are photographers. My dad is a commercial and wedding photographer, and Justin’s dad teaches photography at Union University, our alma mater. For me, I really got interested in photography in college, and took classes from Jim (Justin’s dad). Justin and I both have backgrounds from school and job experiences in photojournalism. It’s really important to us to tell the story that is taking place around us. We go into every wedding with the goal of creating images that will allow couples and families to look back on the unique moments of the day.

SIT: Who are your artistic influences?

Ashley: I look at a lot of different photographers’ work… from wedding, to fashion, to photojournalism… they all play a part in helping to shape my personal style. If I’m going to refer to weddings though, we have some good friends, Nathan and Jensey Root, who actually helped us get started. We love their style and how they relate to their subjects. They are still some of our favorites!

Who is your business partner and how did you meet?

Oops, I guess I gave this away in the first question. My business partner is my husband, Justin. We met in college and started dating after I graduated. Justin lived overseas as a photographer for 2 years, while I was in the states working in video for the same non-profit organization. We were long distance for a bit, and while it was hard to be apart, we believe that God gave us that time to allow us to grow in our love for what we do, and pave the way for us to thoroughly appreciate all of our time together… in the same country! We just love working together!

Do you two have different photography styles – strengths, weaknesses, and how do you play off of those with each other?

Well, all of our friends can tell you immediately… we are total opposites! It works out perfectly for us. I am a people person and I just love the details of a wedding … what the bride wears, what flowers she chooses, what the mother of the bride is feeling on the wedding day, etc. Justin is a quieter guy, but he is one of the most observant and patient people in the world. Everyone loves him and he has a way of putting people at ease – especially nervous grooms. When we work together, everything seems to fit perfectly. We are able to work in the areas where we love and focus on what we excel in – in the end, our differences really complement one another. As far as our photographic style, we definitely have our favorite equipment pieces that lend toward different looks, but overall, the more we work together, the harder it is to tell our photos apart.

What inspired you to start Javen?

Our own wedding. To us, it was just a perfect day, and it let us appreciate all of the details and planning, but most importantly, how beautiful and uniquely special every wedding is to each couple. Every wedding we shoot lets us, in some ways, re-live our own wedding day; it’s really special.

How did you turn photography from a hobby into a career?

We started by shooting a couple of weddings for friends, and when we realized just how much we loved it, we decided to be open to shooting other weddings if they came around. Before we knew it, the business was growing in ways we could have never imagined, and we knew it was something we wanted to do as more than just a hobby. Almost 3 years later, we feel really blessed!

Is photography a full-time gig for y’all, or do you have day jobs?

I work on our business full-time from home, but Justin works as a photographer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – an absolutely amazing place! We moved to Memphis for his job right before we got married. He is able to photograph the kids and families, as well as special events for the hospital.

With the Internet, photography seems like something everyone is interested in, wants to do better, and knows a bit about. Do you keep up with trends or do your own thing?

We are always looking around and seeing what others are doing, but overall, we shy away from what is trendy, and focus more on creating images that will stand the test of time. No one wants to look back years later and have the focus be on a current photographic trend… instead, our goal is for the focus to be on capturing moments shared by our couples.

I know you’re both well-traveled. What is your favorite spot to photograph?

Wow, that is a tough one! It’s hard to say, because we both love to travel. For the sake of sentimentality, I guess I will go with Peru. Justin and I were both put on a coverage working together around the Peru earthquake in 2007. It was an amazing experience and we fell in love with the people and the country. It was also our first time to work together, which will always hold a special place in our hearts.

What kind of equipment do you use?

We are Canon folks.

Any tips for beginning photographers to take better pictures and learn the craft?

I know it’s cliché, but practice, practice, practice. We are always learning and will be for as long as we pick up a camera. Learn from those around you and ask questions, but most of all, you’ve got to get out there and work with your camera.

Finally, just for fun, I KNOW you love music (Ashley and I spent many a car drive from Jackson, Tennessee to Memphis singing along to Billy Joel, the Moulin Rouge soundtrack, Sheryl Crow…). If your life had a soundtrack, what would the title song be?

Most all of my friends know that I am generationally confused, and love Billy Joel! So to take the easy way out and steal from one of my favorites … I’ll go with “Uptown Girl.” 

Southern Colleges Week: Washington and Lee University

Today’s featured school comes with arguably the most historical significance of any university in the South — or the country for that matter!

Washington and Lee University is a private college located in Lexington, Virginia. It was begun in 1749, and in 1796, George Washington himself endowed the school with the largest gift ever given to an institution at that time, so the trustees honored him by naming it Washington College. Each student’s education is still, in part, helped by dividends from Washington’s gift.The second part of its illustrious namesake comes from Robert E. Lee, who served as president as the school from after the Civil War ended in 1865 until his death in 1870, when the school was renamed Washington and Lee University.

Is it any wonder the school’s mascot is the Generals?

W & L is a member of the Associated Colleges of the South and their students agree to abide by an honor system. They turn out many great men and women, including some of the nations finest lawyers. Their fraternities and sororities play a large part on campus, as well as their athletics, but outsiders might well best know Washington and Lee by the famous Dixieland standard, The Washington and Lee Swing. It’s been recorded by Louis Armstrong, Red Nichols, and Hal Kemp, among others.

Know a few of the college’s famous alums? You might — names like Meriwether Lewis, Joseph Goldstein, and Pat Robertson graduated under the blue and white colors.

Southern Colleges Week: Stetson University

The South boasts some of the country’s most beautiful campuses. And Stetson University is no exception. Located in DeLand, Florida, would you expect anything less?

Stetson is a small, private university, but can claim some very distinguished alumni such as Ted Cassidy (better known as Lurch), Charles E. Merrill (founder of Merrill Lynch), and Adrian Rogers. Established in 1883, Stetson was Florida’s first university, and has gone on to receive accolades through the years from Washington Monthly, Parade Magazine, and U.S. News and World Report. And yes, for all you hat lovers out there, Stetson’s name hails from John B. Stetson, manufacturer of the famous cowboy hat, and benefactor to the university who served as founding trustee.

Southern Music Week: Memphis Slim

Memphis Slim

Sometimes, great as new music is, you just gotta reach way back in your iTunes to those old classics. Memphis Slim is a true Southern original that isn’t to be missed. Though John Len Chatman, known as Memphis Slim passed in 1988, his music lives on.

Born in, where else, Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis Slim was a Southern composer and singer through and through. He came from a line of blues artists including his father, Peter Chatman. Memphis Slim recorded over 500 songs, including his most famous 1947 song, Every Day I Have the Blues, which has been recorded by B. B. King, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, and a host of other names you’d recognize.

Well, if he had the blues, then I’m sure glad! He lead Slim and the House Rockers, playing in the 1940′s. Apart from his music, he led a rich life around the South, up into Chicago, and even Paris for years where he acted in films and liked to be called “Ambassador for the Blues.”

Good music like this endures, no matter the time. So stick a few Memphis Blues songs on your summer soundtrack. You won’t be sorry. But you might be blue.

Guest Post: Punch Brothers Concert {In Review}

Hello fellow SIT fans! Becky asked me to share with you about a concert I went to recently and I am so excited to tell you all about it!  I borrowed a Garden and Gun Magazine (which I originally heard about right here on SIT!) from some newlywed friends of mine. The main article was on the new crop of bluegrass musicians that are gaining momentum in the music world, and the Punch Brothers were one of the featured bands. Being a huge Nickel Creek fan, I was already familiar with the uber talented and adorable mandolin player, Chris Thile. To my delight, I saw that they were coming through my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, so two friends, my cute bf, and I were off to the Florida Theatre for the event.

Let me first say that I love going to the Florida Theatre. It is a beautiful venue and I love staring up at the Mediterranean inspired interior before every show. The crowd was an eclectic mix of fans, which I always think makes for a great time. As I was not very familiar with the Punch Brothers music and my adventuring friends weren’t familiar with bluegrass (where have they been?), I knew it was going to be an experience for all of us.

The Punch Brothers are made up of guitarist Chris Eldridge, banjo player Noam Pikelny, violinist Gabe Witcher, bassist Greg Garrison, and Chris Thile on the mandolin. They all entered the stage in their sharp suits. Men in suits? Check. Amazing musicians? Check. Great harmony? Check, Check. Throw in an upright bass, and I’m done. Let’s just say I was sold from the beginning.

Three selections I enjoyed the most were their “Blind leaving the Blind”, which is a four movement piece from their self-entitled first album. The song from their most recent album, How to Grow a Woman from the Ground, is a great, foot stomping “Rye Whiskey”. You can’t help but clap and tap your toes! Watching Chris’ moves onstage makes it even more enjoyable. He loves making music, and his rooster like strut is fantastic entertainment! My favorite piece of the night was from their upcoming album. The song was entitled, “Soon or Never.” Gabe on the violin lead, along with the beautiful harmony throughout the song, had me leaning so far forward I almost fell out of my chair. It epitomized so much of what I love about bluegrass music. There is a melancholy longing that runs through the genre. A soul twisting recognition that something is missing or lost.

Ok, I lied. There were four songs that I loved the most. The encore started with an unexpected solo of Bach’s 4th movement of the G minor sonata by Chris. Um, hello? Classical music on the mandolin? Yes please, and thank you very much. While Chris was the main draw for me, I so appreciated the camaraderie of the whole band. They seem to genuinely enjoy playing together, and respect each others’ musicality. The crowd loved them, and they seemed a little surprised by our enthusiasm. They promised to return to Jacksonville more often. Woo Hoo!

After the concert, my friends, bf, and I hopped across the street to Dos Catos for refreshments. (Chill atmosphere, fun drinks, and a good dj spinning on Thursday nights.) What sealed the evening was when Chris, Noam, and Gabe came in! Once I got over being star struck, I walked over and told Chris that they all did an incredible job.  I was tempted to road trip to see them the following evening at the Savannah Music festival, but, alas will have to wait for the next go around. If you haven’t gone by their site, picked up their music, and especially seen them live do it ASAP. Beck, thanks for having me on SIT!

{picture via PunchBrothers.com}

Play Me, I’m Yours: Austin Edition

Bringing music in the form of street pianos to the neighborhoods, parks and everyday places where people meet and enjoy life is one of the goals of the Play Me, I’m Yours movement. With a recent installation in Austin, Texas, from April 1 – May 1, 2011, there are over 400 pianos in cities worldwide.  Often local artists decorate the pianos and while some scheduled performances exist, most often they are available for any passerby to enjoy and thus share the music. 

I was able to see several street pianos on my recent trip to Austin and the picture below exemplifies exactly why they are installed….people just stopping to play the piano. I love it all so much. Play Me, I’m Yours is an incredible idea and I wish they were in my city!!!