Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 5 Cinema-Inspired Songs

This is my ultimate Cinema-Inspired playlist, filled with songs that use filmmaking or movie magic-ness as inspiration for the lyrics. I created a cheesy film playlist when I started film school, and now the playlist has evolved and include some newer discoveries.

5. New Pornographers - “Twin Cinema”

This song is a definite filmmaking jam, and even though the New Pornographers have been around for a while, I’ve only recently starting getting into them. This song is the title track from their 2005 “Twin Cinema” album, and I really love the cover art for the album as well. “They’ve shown this on both screens” gets stuck in my head sometimes.

4. Eisley - “Like The Actors”

This song is from Eisley’s 2007 “Like The Actors” EP, and I really enjoy the Dupree sister’s harmonies in this song. If your not familiar with Eisley, you may have heard Sherri and Stacy Dupree singing backing vocals on Head Automatica’s “Dance Party on several Bright Eyes songs from the “Cassadaga” album, most notably on “Make a Plan to Love Me”, which is my personal favorite from the album. All of the Dupree sisters definitely have their share of pipes, but when they all sing together, they don’t even need instruments - their harmonies can create beautiful, lush music on their own, and that’s the main reason why I really enjoy listening to Eisley.

3. Culture Reject - “Inside the Cinema” 

This is another band I’ve recently starting getting into, and this is my favorite song from them so far. I’m also a big fan of songs with hand clapping because I like the option of clapping along, so of course this made the list. I really enjoyed the video as well, which mixes video projections with live action.

2. The Postal Service - “Clark Gable”

“Clark Gable” is the signature cinematic love song from The Postal Service’s now legendary album, “Give Up”. If you have never heard this song, just go ahead, and listen to the entire Postal Service album from beginning to end. Do yourself a favor, thank me later.

1. Minus The Bear - “Get Me Naked 2: Electric Boogaloo

Yes, this song is about the cinema! And not the pornographic kind. Minus the Bear always has super creative, non-related song titles. My favorite Minus the Bear song title? “Monkey!!! Knife!! Fight!!” Point is, this song still makes it to the top of my cinema-inspired playlist regardless of the title.

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 10 Coachella 2012 Songs

After sorting through multiple set-lists of all the songs that were played during Coachella 2012, this is my Top 10 playlist of songs I would have loved to have seen live! Luckily, I was able to catch lots of the bands I would’ve wanted to see on the YouTube livesteam including Pulp, The Rapture, The Black Keys, Radiohead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, St. Vincent, The Shins, At The Drive-In, and of course, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg complete with Tupac Hologram and all.

Click Here for Coachella Songs 10-6

5. Black Keys - “Tighten Up”

The Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach displayed some mad whistling skills during their hit song. I was so happy I was able to catch the livestream for this band’s set because they were amazing, I have to see them live! Check out the music video for Tighten Up if you haven’t seen it yet, because it’s fantastic!

4. At The Drive-In - “One-Armed Scissor”

I was super excited to check out the ATDI reunion, their break-up has caused their fans to split to either the Mars Volta side, or the Sparta side (I prefer the Mars Volta), so I was interested to how they would mesh back together after all these years. Their performance was a little rough around the edges, but all in all, it would’ve have been freakin incredible to see this song played live!

3. Radiohead - “Karma Police”

Yes, I have seen Radiohead live, and yes, I have seen them play this very song before, but can you really get enough? This song is a classic, and when I heard this album for the first time, it definitely change my perception of what a great album could be. Also, this music video is just as timeless as the song. Would definitely be in my Top 10 music videos list.

2. Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel) - “Two Headed Boy Pt. 2”

I totally missed out on the sold out Jeff Mangum show he’s playing in Los Angeles, so I really hope I get to see him live in the near future. For any of you guys who missed my “Shoestarr’s Top 5 Favorite Albums of All-Time” vlog, “Aeroplane Over the Sea” was one of them, and I cannot even imagine how great this show must’ve been. The set wasn’t included on the YouTube livesteam either, so I can only imagine. 

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds (Oasis) - “Don’t Look Back in Anger”

This song is one of my favorite songs of all-time, and I missed it during Noel Gallagher’s set during the livestream! Since the Oasis break-up, my last hope of hearing this song live is to attend a Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds show. That being said, I wouldn’t mind at all. I heard their self-titled debut album, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The band, just like Oasis, is great for anyone who loves The Beatles, or even Ryan Adams, and just wants some good old-fashioned rock and roll.

Also, if you guys haven’t seen “The Poser’s Guide to Coachella 2012”, you check it out below. Hope you guys enjoyed my Top 10 Coachella playlist as well as the video!

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 10 Coachella 2012 Songs

After sorting through multiple set-lists of all the songs that were played during Coachella 2012, this is my Top 10 playlist of songs I would have loved to have seen live! Luckily, I was able to catch lots of the bands I would’ve wanted to see on the YouTube livesteam including Pulp, The Rapture, The Black Keys, Radiohead, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, St. Vincent, The Shins, At The Drive-In, and of course, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg complete with Tupac Hologram and all.

10. Dr. Dre (Feat. Eminem) - “Forgot About Dre”

I’m not even going to try and pretend like I don’t love this song, because I do! And I’ve secretly loved this song since it came out. Sure, Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice, and Tupac’s California Love would’ve been amazing to see live (and of course, the Tupac Hologram), but I’m all about this Dr. Dre and Eminem collaboration. Like a total poser.

9. The Shins - “Phantom Limb”

This was the first The Shins songs that I heard, and “Wincing The Night Away” was the first album that I heard from them, so this catchy pop jam definitely holds a special place in my heart.

8. St. Vincent - “Actor Out of Work”

St. Vincent is such an under-rated singer, I highly recommend checking her out if you’re into Feist, Mirah, or even Portishead. This is my favorite song from her’s, which I got to see during the livestream. I also really enjoy the music video as well.

7. The Rapture - “House of Jealous Lovers”

This song is just a blast of electro pop dance party. Definitely a party song, or a dance floor jam. Add it to any house party playlist! It’s such a fun song, MORE COWBELL please!

6. Pulp - “Common People”

One time, I naively referred to this song as “my favorite song from the 80’s”. It is in fact, from the 90’s, and definitely one of my favorite 90’s pop songs. Oh Pulp, you do 80’s post-punk so well, I thought you were from there when I first heard you. This song is an absolute must-hear, a great pop post-punk jam.

Stay Tuned Next Week for the Top 5 Songs in the Coachella Playlist.

UPDATE: Click Here for Coachella Songs 5-1

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 5 Alkaline Trio Songs

Alkaline Trio is definitely my favorite pop punk band of the Warped Tour area. I’ve been listening to them for years, and I still haven’t even seen them live. Matt Skiba, the lead singer and guitarist, lives in Los Angeles so I’m pretty sure I’ll finally see them soon enough. I present to you my Top 5 Alkaline Trio songs!

5. Alkaline Trio - “You’ve Got So Far To Go”

This was one of the first Alkaline Trio songs I heard, so it holds a special place on this list. This song is an extremely catchy love song, and perfect for any cheesy crushin’ mix-tape (or CD, or playlist). This is a great introduction to Alkaline Trio because it’s really pop-driven instead of punk.

4. Alkaline Trio - “One Hundred Stories”

This is my favorite song from Alkaline Trio’s “Good Mourning” which featured their most popular single to date, “We’ve Had Enough”.

3. Alkaline Trio - “I Was A Prayer”

I really enjoyed the poppy direction of this song, and some of the other songs from the Crimson album. This song is even slightly dance-able, there should most definitely be an electro-pop remix somewhere. If it doesn’t exist, someone create one please.

2. Alkaline Trio - “My Friend Peter”

This is Alkaline Trio doing what they do best in one of their oldest classics. Pure alcohol-drenched, emo-sobbing punk rock. I much rather be drinking with my friend Peter too, Matt Skiba, though I don’t have one.

1. Alkaline Trio - “Take Lots with Alcohol”

This is my all-time favorite Alkaline Trio song from my favorite Alkaline Trio album “From Here to Infirmary”. You can tell they put a lot of effort into writing this album, and it truly is a punk pop classic.

Shoestarr’s Playlist: Top 5 Nirvana Songs

I’ve been rocking out to my grunge playlists lately because I’m getting really excited for the West Coast Best Coast Road Trip I’m going on in May. I’m going to be visiting Portland, Seattle & Vancouver for the first time, with some stops along the way in Aberdeen and Olympia. Seeing as this week also marks the 18th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death, it seems a fitting time to present my Top 5 Favorite Nirvana Songs.

5. Nirvana - “Sliver” 

My favorite song from the B-Sides album “Incestcide”, which is my best friend Vivian’s favorite Nirvana album. I strongly disagree with that statement, and this topic of debate has been a running joke through our 10+ years of friendship. I’ve always loved this song “Sliver”, It’s Nirvana staying true to their punk rock roots at their finest.

4. Nirvana - “Drain You” 

Oh, “Nevermind”. The album that started it all. If you ever read another Top 5 Nirvana songs list, and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is on there, avoid it, because it’s not written by a Nirvana fan. “Nevermind” was the first Nirvana album I heard (such is the case for most), but I’m honestly a little burnt out by their most popular songs from this album because of their heavy radio play. I mostly skip them, and listen to the non-singles. “Drain You” was great enough to be a single, luckily it wasn’t, but even if it was, I never get tired of listening to this song.

3. Nirvana - “The Man Who Sold the World” 

Although this song wasn’t written by Nirvana, I’m sure even David Bowie can appreciate this version as it’s whole separate entity. Much like Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt”, the makings of a great cover is when the artist takes a song, and make it’s entirely their own. Classic example: Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”.

2. Nirvana - “Verse Chorus Verse” (Also known as “Sappy”) 

Once a difficult song to track down, it’s now available on the Nirvana Box Set. In middle school, I bought a bootleg “In Utero” album that had four unreleased tracks for the sole purpose of getting this song onto my mixed tapes. Things were more complicated in the pre-Napster days. 

1. Nirvana - “Milk It” 

One of Nirvana’s most heavier sounding songs, “Milk It” has always been my favorite. I’ve gotten people into Nirvana with this song. Mixing raw emotion with a heavy dynamic punch is the main reason Nirvana is my favorite band.