Another Friday and another driving pop rock playlist to set off your Friday. We have 6 new tracks from bands I haven't heard of until this week (besides Sparks the Rescue) including Woes, Living Tradition and Kicking Sunrise. Clocking in at under 20 minutes, this list starts off pretty driving and ends a bit more mellow.
Music Saves.
Listen, enjoy and share!
-YourFriendMatt
Marfa, TX - Shot on iPhone 7 Plus
What an exciting week! The new Somos is stuck in my head, Good Thoughts is chilling me out and Hold Close is getting pumped for the weekend! We also have some great new tracks from Balancing the Different, The Moms and Hang Tight!
There are even 70+ new emojis that were released this week.
Life is good.
Music saves.
-YourFriendMatt
7/21/2016 - Homeowners
So we are hitting the road again, back to California. In the last four years, we have made three major moves across the country. It is starting to become standard. We are just used to keeping it simple and downsizing. This time around as we are packing it is becoming easier to get rid of unnecessary items, clothes, kitchen supplies, etc. The staff at Buffalo Exchange here in Nashville is probably getting tired of me hauling boxes and boxes of old band t-shirts.
Moving is always bittersweet. We look forward to getting back to Santa Monica, the beach, fish tacos, our friends there and riding our bikes to work, but leaving is always hard. We are fortunate and always find AMAZING people wherever we go, and leaving people is hard. We know we will see them all again, but it does suck. We have had a blast finding new restaurants with our friends here, having BBQ pizza cook-offs with our neighbors (who we love dearly), and sharing so many porch beers.
Nashville is where I bought my first home and took some significant steps in my adult life. This is where I decided to make Jamie my (future) wife and where we pushed our careers. Nashville continued to push Jamie and me to work together as a team. When we first got here, we did not know a soul and that kind of pressure can make or break a relationship, but we only got stronger. We will miss everyone here. Thank you to anyone who was kind to us, shared their lives with us and treated us like family. We love you.
-YourFriendMatt
Tough week.
There is no doubt this week has been horrific. I hope we can all agree that violence is never the answer.
Let this playlist be a sparkle of light for the end of your week. We have some new Anti-Flag, re-done Tegan and Sara, a trip down memory lane with the New Atlantic and one of my favorite Tom Petty tracks ever. Free Fallin' was one of the first songs I ever learned how to play and absolutely changed my life forever. Thanks, Tom.
Music heals all.
Listen, share and enjoy. Please take care of each other.
-YourFriendMatt
Let's do a beer.
Only a few weekends left in Nashville. Going to make them count and let some great new music be the soundtrack. This week I am excited because there is a ton of new releases I am enjoying, including tracks from Can't Swim, Sleep On It, and Such Gold. Check it out!
-YourFriendMatt
Nashville, TN - Summer 2017
It has been an interesting few months. I took some time off from updating YourFriendMatt.com to wrap my head around it. When I think about it, the last year has been a whirlwind. We bought our home and moved in. We got settled into a new city and routine. Jamie found work. We started making our house a home by decorating, repainted and refinishing the whole thing. We even added a deck on the back half of the house.
If that does not sound like a lot, we just got engaged in July and set a date for late 2018. We have been busy, and I could not be more proud or excited for what will happen next.
Stay tuned.
Shot on iPhone 8 Plus
I took a few weeks off from creating playlist and writing. A lot has happened in the few weeks, but the quest for good jams never stops. Here is a quick list I have been playing non-stop on Apple Music.
-YourFriendMatt
Making Friends...
"Come here you little shit!" - Jamie
It's starting to get weird. Over the last few weeks, animals have found their way to me for help. Recently I have helped a defenseless turtle trying to cross an interstate. I saved a grumpy little bird from being pulverized by a lawn-mowing maniac, and now we have a litter of kittens.
A few Saturday nights ago Jamie and I were unwinding over some hand-crafted cocktails with friends. The best parties happen in the kitchen, so we all gathered around our kitchen island in clear view of our glass front door. While one of our friends were telling us about their week at work, we noticed a white, fluffy face appearing from our front porch shadows and put it's paw on our front door as if to ask if it could come in and hang out. Jamie shrieked with excitement and completely stopped any and all conversation, bolting to the front door to become this kittens mother (and rub this fluff ball on her face).
The obviously terrified kitten ran from the front door into the shadows under our porch. From there on our night was consumed with finding and coddling this kitten (regardless if I wanted to or not). "Hold the flashlight better! I need to get this baby! Oh man, he's so cute! Come here you little shit!" or some string or order of these sentences were exclaimed over and over again until we finally got the damn thing.
Be careful what you wish for. We now have a litter of kittens patrolling our backyard. What's even funnier is our dogs could give a shit. As long as those two bums are fed, they don't care who comes and goes.
Does anyone want a cat?
-YourFriendMatt
The kitten whisperer...
That Friday Feeling...
Took last week because I just did not find any new music I liked. Gave me some more time to do some even deeper digging for new jams and I think I found some goodies this week. We have a very straight forward, 90's alternative-ish track from Mason-Jar (Ex-Cute is What We Aim For). I just don't know what draws me to this track, but I dig it. We also have some new releases from Sleep In, American Pastime, and Two Inch Astronaut. Crank it up and have fun this weekend!
"I just saved your life. Why are you so grumpy." - Me.
I am starting to feel like Ace Ventura. I have been coming across animals that need my help (See Part One of this story). Most recently I was spending my Sunday gardening and playing with our dogs in the yard. We live next to an old church, and they have their lawn cut bi-weekly. Around 11 am or so before they get started with their service the lawn-keeper comes and makes sure the grass looks good for the parishioners. I was done gardening for the day, so I decided to head back in so Jamie and I could get our mimosa on.
I was on our porch and heard a faint "cheep" come from somewhere on the churches lawn. The roar of the riding lawn mower started somewhere in the distance, so I knew the lawn-keeper was on his way. I started looking around the yard stumbled upon a little grumpy bird sitting in the grass. I gave him my best "Hey, get the hell out of here; I don't want you to get run over by a lawnmower" juke attempt, but he called my bluff and continued to sit there. I stared at him for a while, and he stared right back. I blinked first; he was good.
I did a quick internet search of what to do with an injured bird. What I found was don't touch him, put him in a paper bag or shoe box and leave him alone after. Seems easy; I can do this. I went for the search of a paper bag as lawnmower man rounded the corner of the church and was making his way towards my helpless, grumpy friend. I jumped off the porch, paper bag in hand, and leaped in front of the lawn keeper waving my arms like a moron to prevent him from blending this grumpy little guy into a bird smoothie.
We got the bird into the paper bag and left him alone. The internet also told me to leave the bag open and check on him in an hour to see if it flew away. Which, an hour later, he flew away but not before pooping in the bag and on my porch. He was a little bastard.
-YourFriendMatt
It's Miller Time...
This week's list is interesting. We have some different kinds of rock. Milk Teeth bring the older vibes of 90's grunge, while Bilmuri brings almost a Cure-eske flavor to the mix.
And, of course, with the celebration of Dude Ranch turning 20 this week, I had to throw in an old Blink track.
Music Saves.
-YourFriendMatt
Back yard BBQ time...
This week's list is perfect for some time in the backyard. We have a new favorite of mine, Locals Only. We also have a new track, from the newest addition to SideOneDummy, Worriers. It is very reminiscent of 90's alternative-rock. We were also able to squeeze in some PA love this week with Captain, We're Sinking and Here/Now! Solid list to sink into the weekend.
-YourFriendMatt
L.A Jackson - Nashville, TN
Friday is here and it's time for some new weekend jams. Check out this super poppy collection, including Locals Only, Philadelphia's The Sixties and even a new track from Bleachers!
Music saves.
-YourFriendMatt
Charlotte Pike. Nashville, TN.
"Get the fuck out of the road you jerk off!" - Someone.
Something weird happened over the last few weeks. For whatever reason, I happened to be in the right place at the right time when someone (or something) needed help.
I do not consider myself an activist at all. I do not go out of my way to find animals to save; I am not a vegetarian (I did a short stint of that a few years ago, but bacon is just too damn good), I do not volunteer anywhere (even though I probably should). I am just a dude who felt compelled to take action when it seems like nobody else would.
I was on a recent stay-cation and made it my mission to do as little as possible. Which, if you know anything about me is something I am not great at. Ask Jamie; she hates that I can not just sit on the couch and relax. On this particular day, I had gotten up, finished cleaning the whole house including laundry, dusting, Swiffering, and reorganizing things for no reason except sheer boredom. What did I decide to do? Go to Target. That's what new homeowners do when they are bored right? Just wonder around Target smelling candles, staring at how many different types of trash cans there are, and buying the most useless shit you can find, right?
I was driving down the road in my obnoxiously large Ford Expedition when I noticed something stranded in the middle of my lane. I thought nothing of it, but as I got closer, it seemed to be moving on its own, and right before I almost ran it over I noticed it was a small box turtle trying to cross a four-lane highway out front of Target. I have no idea how it survived getting that far. He was already almost half across. I swerved so I would not run him over and pulled over. I thought for a moment what I could do since cars were doing 60mph past me on the side of the road and narrowly missing my stranded green little buddy. What did I do? The only logical thing. I used my obnoxiously large Ford Expedition to block traffic, pulling out sideways onto the highway, threw my flashers on and jumped out to save this little turtle. My mother and Jamie would be horrified.
I picked the little guy up (he was petrified at this point, all limbs tucked away in his shell), jumped a guard rail and set him down safely on the other side of the road...all while everyone yelled every obscenity they could muster.
Why did the turtle cross the road? I have no friggin' idea, but I am glad I was there to help him out.
-YourFriendMatt
GOLD-FINGA! This week's list is packed with poppy weekend jams including, you guessed it, new Goldfinger! We also have new, and long awaited, Pet Symmetry, as well as a long time favorite of mine Hot Mulligan...oh, and new Neck Deep I can't stop playing on repeat.
-YourFriendMatt
Slim & Husky's - Nashville, TN
Another Friday and another awesome 6-Pack. I had to give it a few listens, but the new Paramore REALLY grew on me. This week's list starts off with one of my favorite tracks from After Laughter. We also have some new more groovy jams from PA's own Tigers Jaw and Macseal. We even have a new track from unknown (for now) Philadelphia crew, Captain, We're Sinking.
A lot of PA love in this 6-Pack!
-YourFriendMatt
Los Angeles, Ca
I know everyone else is geeking out about the new Paramore that just dropped, but I need to give it a few more listens before recommending anything off of it.
This week's 6-Pack is pretty dang pop-punk. We have new Belmont, a more alternative track from Young Lincoln and a new single from Broadside. This week's list is less that 20 minutes! Perfect for doing some quick errands around the house before relaxing on the couch!
Music saves.
-YourFriendMatt
Secret ingredient...
"Pretty sure I have 3rd degree burns." - Me
I am a very lucky guy. Jamie handles all meals in this house. She is just better at it and enjoys cooking. Every once in a while I find myself trying to impress her with my culinary skills. I have a handful of dishes I can pull off when I try. My pancakes? Get out of town, they are incredible. This past week I had a day off, and it was raining. Perfect chilly weather day for some chili (see what I did there?). I have a few different types of chili I like cooking. We have varying tastes when it comes to food. I can't get my food spicy enough where as she likes to do something she calls "actually tasting the food." So I decided to meet in the middle and use my basic chili recipe with a little heat; and a little Pabst. Making this chili is SUPER easy, hence why you can do it while drinking. *thumbs up emoji*
Without sounding like a pretentious dickhead, I try to use as many organic ingredients as I can (disregard the Pabst). Gather your ingredients and place the ground beef in a large pot and toss in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned, takes about 15 minutes. You can drain off the excess fat, but sometimes I do not, up to you. If I am using a leaner meat without a ton of excess fat I leave it; I think it adds some richness. Pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, some red pepper flakes, and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes or so. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup beer.
After an hour, place the masa harina (essentially corn flour, but hey, were getting worldly over here) in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup of beer and stir together with a fork. It thickens up quick so act fast! Transfer the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste to add any additional seasonings. This is where I usually go nuts and start adding jalapeños, a canister of red pepper flakes, and every other source of heat I have in the house, but I wanted Jamie to enjoy dinner with me, so I kept it pretty tame today. Add more masa paste or beer to get the chili to your preferred consistency. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes! Done! Bowl that beast - top it with cheese - get classy and throw some lime slices or some tortilla chips around and you got yourself a nice rainy-day chili!
The goods:
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder or to taste
1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans
One 15-ounce can pinto beans
Shredded Cheddar, for serving, topping, or throwing around
Tortilla chips, for serving and throwing around
Lime wedges, for serving and throwing around
-YourFriendMatt
This week we have a bunch of new pop-rock, groovy jams to get you through your Friday. Found NY duo Super American this week and love their new single "Sloppy Jazz." Reminiscent of a late 90's or early 00's vibe. We also have an instrumental rock track from Alpha Male Tea Party, the punk rock styling of Forever Unclean, plus a few alternative-indie cuts.
-YourFriendMatt
“Damn it! I stapled my finger!” - Me
I love gardening. And now, I have my own home! This spring and summer are our first as homeowners. We are slowly but surely making our home more ours every month. Now that Spring is officially here I wanted to ensure we were outfitted with an exquisite garden. I also wanted to try some things I have not done yet in my agricultural career. Maximizing space (and possible mobility?) is important to me so I did some research on how I can get more vegetation per square foot and pallet gardens seemed like a modern new gardening technique to try.
Pallets are cheap, if not free, and they are typically the correct root depth for more shallow-rooted plants, like herbs, when laid flat or stood up. I attached some photos and details below if you want to give it a try!a
STEP 1!
Take your pallet and lay that bastard down on the ground. Wrap the gardening fabric (I got mine for $5 at Dollar General) around the back, sides and bottom of the pallet. You want to make sure the fabric is tight. Now - Staple the crap out of that thing. Pretty sure I used half a box of staples and I did 3 layers of fabric around the back, sides and bottom of my pallet.
Once you have multiple layers of fabric on your pallet it should look something like this along the back and 3 sides of it. You can now lay it down and fill it with soil and your seed or starter plants.
STEP 2!
I found it was easiest to lay the pallet down and fill it with soil, then put my starter plants in and then prop it up. Whatever works for you.
STEP 3!
I plan on getting few more starters herbs in there. I like the mobility of this type of garden. We have only been in Nashville for a few months and I am not sure how much sun my backyard will get since we have a few trees back there. This garden can be moved pretty easily if it is not getting enough sun. Let me know how yours turns out!
Materials:
Wood Pallet - You can probably get one for free on a local Wal-Mart or Mall loading dock.
Staple Gun and a SHIT load of staples.
Roll of garden fabric
3-4 bags of top soil
Herb seeds or herb starter plants
Scissors
Time
-YourFriendMatt
