Southern Charm

When it comes to fight or flight, I've always been more suited for flight. Feeling anxious? Drive away. Bored? Take a mini road trip. Find out my summer plans of interning has changed? Flee the scene of the crime and head to New Orleans.

That's what I love about my home. I can always come back. Although Louisiana is constantly changing, my feelings never do. My impromptu voyage led me to reaching out to some local friends and getting lost in the city. A childhood friend, Madi, showed me around her favorite spots which included The Orange Couch, The Spotted Cat,  Euclid Records, and Oxalis (which has amazing Bloody Marys and Rosemary tonics). Every time I visit Nola, I always find new discoveries, meet new people, and leave as a different person. A little piece of my heart is always left behind, and I am counting the days till I graduate so that I can pack my bags and make Nola my permanent home.

Bueno Locals - FPSF 2015 edition

Asli Omar of The Tontons

Grizfolk

Robert Ellis 

Benjamin Booker

 Well, FPSF, you chewed me up and spit me out. Third time was a charm for this year's festival, I was able to jump from stage to stage thanks to the last minute venue change. NRG Park was hell on concrete, but the musical treats that I discovered made up for it. After arriving fashionably late, I made it just in time for Portugal. The Man and Gary Clark Jr. - the best start for Day 1. These men proved to be a crowd pleaser with their uncontrollable sex appeal and their sheer talent. No one was disappointed. I was not able to capture any photos with my camera on the first day, which I am happy about. I was able to bask in the musical glory and focus on enjoying The Bright Light Social Hour, Band of Horses, St.Vincent, Charles Bradley (I did get a few pictures of him, but they all came out blurry because the man has some gyrating dance moves), and R.Kelly.

Day 2 had me listening to both familiar and new bands. Started off with Futurebirds (4th time seeing them), The Band of Heathens, and The Tontons. Both The Band of Heathens and The Tontons are TX native bands, so I am now on a mission to catch them again in the Houston area. I am a sucker for musicians and singers that have amazing hair and can put on a spectacular show. During the Future Islands set, I happened to stumble upon Brandi Carlile do a cover of Fleetwood Mac's The Chain. Those who know me well can pretty much guess my reaction- I dropped all of my possessions, except my camera, and jetted to the stage. I apologize for anyone that tried to get my attention during this time. I was being hypnotized by that bass line.

The highlight of FPSF for me was seeing Robert Ellis and Benjamin Booker. Ellis, a Houstonian, grabbed the audience by the hand and gave a true countryside journey through his lyrics. He was calm, cool, and collective- even when some asshole in the crowd yelled, "Are you Buxton?!". Snaps to you, Mr.Ellis. 

Benjamin Booker is based from my home state, Louisiana! This little youngin' combines blues, punk, and soul into his music. His ragged voice leaves chills down to your toes, and his guitar playing fills your body with motions that make you want to dance all the way from Houston to New Orleans. Please, please, please do yourself a favor and catch either one of these fellas whenever and wherever you can. You will not be disappointed.

As for FPSF, I always say that this year will be my last year. I don't see myself in Houston this time next year, but then again I don't like to plan that far ahead. One thing I did learn from this festival is that I am better off alone. There is nothing more satisfying then flying by the seat of my pants and not having any pressure of seeing the headliners. It's all about just sitting back and drowning in the sweet tunes of summer. So thanks again, Free Press Summer Fest, it was a pleasure.

Excuse Me While I Kiss The Sky

Summer is officially here. Bring on the sun-kissed tans, the sweet humid breezes, and the glorious days of MUSIC FESTIVALS. The first on my list is Free Press Summer Fest. This will be my third round for the Houston festival, and I believe it will be my last. Texas in June has proven that my body is getting older, and it is just plain miserable to stand the 100+ degree heat. So, I want to finalize my last FPSF with , as the kids say nowadays, on fleek outfits. It's a two day festival, but I have shockingly over prepared and picked out seven outfits.  Quick! Which two should I wear?!

Hypnotize With Her Mojo Hair

FACT: I have been to 30+ Grace Potter and The Nocturnals show

FACT: 3 of those shows were in a 24hr span.

FACT: I gave myself (bad) fringe bangs after seeing her concert for the first time

FACT: I am ready for 30+ shows, hopping on buses and trains and planes, and....... I'll leave the fringe bangs to her.

I had to dig very deep into my camera roll vault to find the pics above. I have about 608 photos that are both blurry and magical, but these were my top due to the fact that Grace Potter either jumped off the stage to give me a hug, or threw me a handful of guitar pics that I now keep treasured onto my very own guitars.

With the high anticpation of their newest record being recorded as we speak, I thought it best to travel down memory lane and remember why I love these guys so much. The main thing that drew me in was the music, obvi. I shamelessly discovered this band thanks to the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack and MySpace. Once I turned 18, I trecked on down to good ole New Orleans to see them at the House of Blues. From then on, I was more or less addicted to the music, their performances (which is a religious experience. If you haven't been to one of their shows, please let me know so that I can take you. I'm SERIOUS.), their style (both musically and fashionably. These guys are HAWT), and to the high you get from sharing a musical experience with friends and strangers.

I am frequently asked from both friends/family and newer fans: "What do I listen to first?'

Oh boy. The toughest question.

I wanted to start giving the right answer instead of the normal "Start from the beginning and work your way down" answer. So, I sat myself down, researched their entire discography, read personal interviews and reviews, and even watched live footage I had taken from the 6 years of concert experiences. And what a shocker: I couldn't pick just one. Honestly, you start with what you feel. Personally, my go-to albums for whenever I am happy, sad, wanting inspiration, crying from a breakup, or just enjoying life are their self-titled album Grace Potter and The Nocturnals and their Live at the Fillmore album. (Fun fact: After a few beers one night, a friend and I shamelessly recited the entire LAF album that included all of the speeches that Grace gave throughout the performance. Proud moment.) But if you are going on a road trip, start with their first album Nothing But The Water or her latest album The Lion The Beast The Beat . If kitchy songwriting and southern rock roots is more your style, listen to This Is Somewhere. All in all, you can't go wrong. But definitely listen to their lyrics and see a live performance before you die. Put it on your bucket list NOW. BONUS: if you tweet GP your dream setlist, then there is a good chance they will put your fave songs onto the setlist! (5 out of the 6 times I requested have been played).

To end this post, I will leave a simple quote that GP told me the first time I met her, "Write what you feel. Feel what you write. Love and Light."

Love and Light,

Madeline

Five Hundred Miles

 500 miles. That is the distance between my homes in Texas and Louisiana. Since the age of two, I have been traveling between my broken homes. To be honest, I feel like an automobile has been more of a home to me than anything else. This past Saturday at 8am, I took the well known journey back to New Iberia, LA. I have had a lot to think about for the upcoming months, and the drive was a much needed therapeutic session. I made a pretty solid playlist, ordered a giant iced soy chai tea latte, and sang at the top of my lungs for four hours straight. I felt some hefty weight lifted just by the sight of the Louisiana sign and the smell of bayou water. I'm feeling pretty good about some life decisions I am making, AND to top it off, I had the pleasure to record a cover song with my sister-in-law! The song is pretty spot on for my life at the moment, and I felt so blessed she decided to help me. Click here to treat your ears <3

The Swamp Hippy Witch Bash

It has been a whirlwind of a week filled with numerous reunions, 30 hours in my Mazda (which I have renamed Felicia- because of her bodacious black hatchback), and 96 hours in the glorious city of New Orleans, LA. The first 24 hours consisted of picking up my favorite witch bitches from the airport, "wine-ing" down with white wine spritzers and completing our super Aquarian moon rituals.

I am going to skip over the arrival into New Orleans since I had to circle our hotel 11 times in order to find appropriate parking. First night was the best night- we really set the bar high. The swampy and humid city provided us with Fried Green Tomatoes, Duke's Sweet Tea, karaoke, and an improptu appearance of your's truly on a mechanical bull. Let's just say my birthday hangover lasted the following 48 hours. I will also admit that I twerked all the way from Bourbon St. to Magazine St. like a champ.

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Once we were able to crawl out of our beds on the glorious Saturday morning  afternoon, we prowled down to our favorite witchy stores. First stops were obvioulsy Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo and Voodoo Authentica. Marie Laveau has some pretty amazing tshirt selections and some super cheap incense bundle deals (36 sticks for $5), and Voodoo Authentica has some of my favorite ritual candles along with some beautiful altars.

P.S. The gals and I went to my favorite restaurant Atchafalaya to partake in the Bloody Mary buffett, live music, delicious food, and really cute bartenders. I highly encourage any and every Nola visitors to stop by. (And if you are an AHS: Coven fan, this was the same place where Fiona and Madison had their pre- Supreme witch bitch brunch)

Next stop: St.Louis Cemetary. Not much to say about this magical place because the pictures that we all took really say 1000 words. We didn't really speak that much once we were in the cemetary because it is so much to take in. You can feel the history, the sorrow, and the eerie beauty. It was also kind of picture perfect that the Louisiana fog was thick as soup on the day we took our mournful adventure.

To conclude my trip, I always end it with sad notions of not living in my favorite city. I want to live in a Nola fairy tale apartment, listening to late night jazz and cajun music, and learning to speak French on my amazing balcony while smoking black cigarettes (and I can add a cute bartender musician boyfriend frying pickles in the background too - might as well.) I know I will be back in a permanent state one day, but until then I will be visiting 4-5 times a year, and have a constant tab open for jobs and apartments.

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER Y'ALL!!

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