MMM: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Faithful Monday Mood Music readers may recall a post I did a little over six months ago about a fellow NC State alum, Kyler England. Today's post once again features Ms. England, well, kinda sorta.

Kyler, along with Gabriel Mann, Adrianne Gonzalez and Rob Giles, will be playing together this Thursday at the Local 506 in Chapel Hill, under their indie supergroup moniker, the Rescues. I don't know a whole lot about the band, except that the folks at Grey's Anatomy really like them. Five of their songs have been used on the show. Who knew I'd ever have anything in common with that show except an appreciation of Sandra Oh.

I'm excited the Rescues will be in town, but I'm not sure if I'm up for the show. Just two weeks ago I was in Chapel Hill for a Tuesday show. I didn't make it home until after 1am; that's a great evening, but the next day at work was a bitch! While I decide if I want to drag into work, musically satisfied though sleep deprived, why don't you check out the live and studio versions of my favorite Rescues tune.

The Rescues - Can't Stand the Rain

The Rescues - Can't Stand the Rain (Live)

Decisions, decisions.
What do you think I should do?

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MMM: 2010, That Is Her Year

This Monday's Mood Music selection was queued up and ready to play last week, but my excitement over Zombieland and Van Halen pushed her entry back to today. No matter. Things get better with age, right?

Frequently I attend performances at my alma mater, NC State. The Arts program is always bringing in interesting acts and that, coupled with my alumni discount, makes for low-cost, high quality, non-movie entertainment. This year they have started their Off Center series which features young artists who call NC home. Being an NC native myself, I love giving props when a fellow North Carolinian in the entertainment world crosses my radar (North Carolina Represent!).

Last week Off Center presented a young lady who's not only an NC native, but an alum of NC State and, in fact, was in attendance as the same time as me. We were both resident advisers, yet somehow, we never officially met during that time. Now, a decade later I plopped down in my second row seat and watched Kyler England wow this intimate venue with her music.

Kyler now lives in North Hollywood and has recently signed a major record deal. Here's hoping this is the beginning of big things. She's a great songwriter and I expect she'll be putting the competition on notice (she's coming for you Colbie Caillat!). Here's a tune featured on her latest album, Simple Machine, for you to enjoy:

Kyler England - Clean Slate

It's nice when an artist hits it big and you can say, Oh, I've been listening to her for years. Here's your chance to get ahead of the curve.