After giving it some thought, I figured there might not be a better way to kick of the month of February than with new videos made by singer/songwriter Chad Cavanaugh. I am more than willing to admit I have been somewhat addicted to the music of the San Diego resident. I think I will start off with a recent favorite of mine, Lost In Each Other. I am willing to bet after you watch it, it will be a favorite of yours, too!
Chad is finishing up work on a new album, which is very exciting news. I knew from the first listen of The Coffeehouse Rebellion that I was a goner. To make matters worse, I purchased We Got Love, and I loved it even more. So I have no reason to believe I will think any less of his latest effort. I am not sure if Just You and Me is part of the new record, but am enjoying it nonetheless.
Chad has a nice way of combining classic folk storytelling with a rock sensibility and a very personal outlook. Indeed, it feels like you are reading his personal journal, invited in to the lives of Cavanaugh and his wife and children. Or at least his thoughts on it all. Or at least in to a special spot in his mind, where he holds his thoughts on everything. Give a listen to Drivin', and let yourself get lost in it.
Hope you enjoyed a taste of Chad's work. If you'd like to hear some more, visit his official Facebook page here. You can also find The Coffeehouse Rebellion on iTunes and Amazon. You can download We Got Love on iTunes and Amazon as well. Give them a try - you won't be disappointed.
Clockwise: We The Ghost, Robert German, Dudley Saunders, and Chad Cavanaugh.
I think there is plenty to look forward to in the New Year, but I will only touch on a couple of those things. Four, to be exact. Yesterday, we already had the great fortune of knowing that songster Aiden James released a new album. The great thing about a new year is just that, it is new. As the ball drops in Times Square, it can act like a great eraser, clearing out some mistakes so we can start fresh. We can promise ourselves we will try to get to see more live music, and to support those artists whose music we love.And, to the best of my knowledge, I think there are some people working on new music that get me more excited than it should.
That would include a band from Tulsa, Oklahoma, that is starting afrresh, writing some music and getting ready to put on some shows. We The Ghost, which features Beau Tyler, Dain Samuelson and blog favorite Jimmy Dean Adams, have started working together to make their own music. We can start with a clip of Beau singing an acoustic version of a song they wrote, Let The Love In.
When it comes to Robert German, I am completely coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs. I love his music, and have practically worn out my version of Sirens of Brooklyn. So when I heard he is working on not one, but two new projects, I get a bit giddy. I understand they will be released separately, but it certainly means something is coming, something is in the pipeline. And I love that he sent out little teasers, videos with demos of songs, giving us a view into the creative process. In the following clip, we get a taste of Duct Tape & Super Glue, and I love it!
It has been far too long since I have had some new music from San Diego-based Chad Cavanaugh. I eat up Coffeehouse Rebellion, and adored We Got Love. The miltary veteran's pairing of classic folk with interesting rhythms keeps me wanting more. I know he was talking about going back in the studio, and certainly hope he has made it there. Until then, check out this live performance of his song Troubadour.
I know that handsome Dudley Saunders has been writing new music, and I hope he has been hitting the studio, or is making plans to do so, for I would love to have some new music from him. I enjoy the Billy White Acre Sessions, and just love The Emergency Lane, but still, I am greedy, and want more. Here is a taste of some new music, Monster. He posted it on YouTube from a live performance. I love it.
As we have kicked off Father's Day Weekend, I thought it only appropriate that I play a little ditty by the stay-at-home-rockstar-dad, Chad Cavanaugh. He wrote it a couple of years ago when his daughter was still a baby. It is called I'm Your Daddy.
to make Chad's Father's Day complete, you can pick up one of his albums. There is The Coffeehouse Rebellion, which you can find on iTunes here, and on CD Baby here. There is We Got Love, which you can find on iTunes here, and on CD Baby here. For more about Chad Cavanaugh, check him out on FaceBook here, and on Twitter here.
Today is a special day for a special friend of the blog, so it only seems fitting to celebrate it accordingly. Happy Birthday, Chad Cavanaugh. Chad is a Sand Diego-based singer/songwriter, who does an awfully nice job on the guitar. I was directed to him by my friend, Bounmy, and it has been a non-stop love affair since. Take, for example, his brilliant song We Got Love. From the first time I started listening to him, I have been fascinated by his used of rhythm and percussion, as you can see here.
That song can be found on the album of the same name. You can find it on iTunes here or at Amazon.Com here. The next song, Opportunity, can be found on his Live On Adams Ave album, a cherished part of my collection.
The final video fro this morning, Dead Man Walkin', was from the first album I added, Coffeehouse Rebellion. You can find it on iTunes here, and on Amazon.Com here.
As you can see from the pictures, chad is a handsome guy, but the music proves he is more than just a pretty face. For more about Chad, you can check him out on MySpace page here, and on FaceBook here. You can also check out his blog here. Or you can find him on Twitter here. You can offer him your wishes for his day at any of those sites, or you can click on one of the links above, and purchase his music. Either way, I am sure Chad will be pleased!
At the beginning of the year, I discovered the music of the stay-at-home-rockstar-dad through the kindness of my friend Bounmy. Boy, am I glad she did. Not only have I enjoyed Chad's music a great deal, I have enjoyed getting to know him as well. Whether he is talking about his music or about his daughter's first dance recital, you can help but be affected by his infectious charm and energy. Take, for example, the title cut on his most recent album, We Got Love, which you can purchase on iTunes here.
The father of two girls - with another on the way - Chad certainly has much to be happy about during the holidays. So it was a foregone conclusion I would be asking him to take part in the festivities here. So I started out by asking him what is his favorite holiday tune. "I love the song Little Drummer Boy," he said excitedly. "It's my favorite to listen to and to play. The story is incredible and just gets me every time. To have a gift for someone that wasn't bought but created from what's inside your soul is powerful." So I thought I would join in with one of my favorite versions of the song, by the band Jars of Clay.
As I have already documented my interest in what my favorite artists are listening to when they aren't making music, I was interested in what Chad had on his iPod. "A couple of my favorite songs from this passed year, not sure if they were released this year or not but this year is when I first heard them," he explained. "The Dead Weather have a song on the Eclipse soundtrack called Rolling in on a Burning Tire that I really like and Mumford and Sons Little Lion Man are up there along with Linkin Park's new single "Waiting for the End". A must listen is Kenny Eng's The Angels off of his Live At Lestat's CD is a beautiful song. When we're at the same open mic he'll play it for me. It's good to run in the same circles as people you like listening to. To round out my top 5 I'd have to include the guy I was introduced to by you and Bounmy, Chris Dallman's Ghosts is a song I first heard in the past month. Love it! I hope we get a chance to play a show together soon." Hey, I'd love to see two of my favorites like Chad and Chris sharing a stage! As I couldn't find any holiday music to post from Chad, I thought I would grab something from some of his favorites. So this is Kenny Eng singing The Christmas Song.
With an eye on the future, Chad offered, "For the new year I want to get out on the road more, have an effective street team and get on radio cross country." But there are other concerns fro the handsome singer/songwriter. "As for what I'm looking forward to in 2011, I shift it back to being a daddy, I look forward to my new baby daughter, and watching my two other daughters be big sisters. I look forward to the inspiration that comes from them and the songs that will be bourne out of that inspiration."
Another of Chad's favorites is the band Mumford & Sons, and this is their seasonal offering, Winter Winds.
Chad is never one to fail to take an opportunity, either. "And I look forward to being featured again and again on an award winning blog called the Soundtrack To My Day. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it," he said, smiling. I have no worries about Chad being featured again, and soon. He will soon have a new album, Live On Adams Ave, available, and I got a preview copy, and it is wonderful - it truly captures Chad's passion for his music and performing. For more about Chad, you can check out his MySpace page here, and his FaceBook page here. You can also check out his blog here.
Yes, we got love for the San Diego-based singer/songwriter on this blog. And the stay-at-home-dad/rock star is always rocking. So I thought I would pick up some recent videos recorded last month to give an example of just how much this man rocks my eardrums! Take, for example, Dead Man Walking, a track off his Coffeehouse Rebellion album, my introduction to his music, and much like that first hit of crack, the gateway to my addiction.
The next song, Bullets On Railroad Tracks, has yet to been released, so I look forward to more new music to come. And Chad looks devilishly handsome in a shirt and tie, doesn't he?
Sexy Dark Brown Eyes is another new song, not found on either Coffeehouse Rebellion or We Got Love. But once again, it is a terrific song, with a great use of rhythms and pace. And a nice growl in his voice.
Finally, I thought I would add in a song he recently posted on YouTube, Redeem Us. He himself writes that it is a song dedicated to everyone, a call for equality for all. If you listen closely, you can hear not only Chad's dog Poncho singing back-up, and his precious two-year old daughter, Kaia. But what I enjoy most of all - the beautiful and heart-felt lyrics.
Chad's MySpace page here. If you'd like to purchase his debut release, The Coffeehouse Rebellion, from iTunes, click here. You can purchase his latest release, We Got Love, here. Also, you might enjoy his blog, Stay at Home Rock Star, found here.
Chad Cavanaugh has many nouns that can be attached to his name describing his day-to-day life, from husband to proud father to singer/songwriter to former soldier to Irish hottie to blogger. The list could go on, but I figure I will get to the point of the post, which is his music. I've been a fan since I downloaded his first album, The Coffeehouse Rebellion. Back in February, I posted about it, even though I was a bit late to join the fan club. One of several great songs on the album is the last cut, Dead Man Walking. Chad manages to combine his folk and rock music with interesting rhythms to talk about his life. Check out a recent performance.
In April, he released his second album, We Got Love. I posted about it here. It pretty much solidified my status as a fan, with more great music and percussive rhythms. And Chad proved to be smart and serious, yet still have a sense of humor, poking fun of some things that are inherently funny in this world. You can see that in the song Bumper Stickers as he paints a picture about people who might not live as they preach.
Recently Chad posted a clip on YouTube singing a new song, Until The Next Life. Well, after getting beyond the distraction of the burly man without a shirt, I discovered a beautiful and touching song, a tribute to all those we have lost who have touched our lives.
Chad's MySpace page here. If you'd like to purchase his debut release, The Coffeehouse Rebellion, from iTunes, click here. You can purchase his latest release, We Got Love, here. Also, you might enjoy his blog, Stay at Home Rock Star, found here.
A more recent find for me, Chad is a San Diego-based performer, husband, and stay-at-home Dad, but I love his use of rhythms and phrasing, and his inherent charm while performing. This is We Got Love, the title track from his latest album.
I was trying to come up with a clever and smart way to describe an overall feel of We Got Love, the new album by San Diego singer/songwriter Chad Cavanaugh. The closest I came was thinking it was Southern Californian Ska - an island beat combined with a bit of rap, all firmly entrenched in a rock base. Confused? You wouldn't be if you listened to the album instead of me. There is a fresh feeling to the collection, driven rhythmically by the acoustic guitar, and the vocals of Cavanaugh. It starts off with the title track, which obviously is written from the heart, and just oozes with joy and, well, love.
Long Desert Road starts with the guitar but it is driven by Cavanaugh's relentless vocal, part army marching chant, part love song, a soldier using what he can to get home. The Stranger is a ballad, or the closest you will find from this artist. It is a deep and searching self-reflection, a song of insecurities boiling over. Next up, Don't Require No Shoes, takes a look at the easy and relaxed place a strong relationship can bring you. There are times when you just wanna hang out with the person you care for, cause love doesn't require no jacket or shoes. Best Start Livin' comes very close to reminding me of The Specials, using the ska tempos while aching for more. In this case, it is demanding the listener to stop and smell the roses, only not in a literal sense. Bumper Stickers is a cool song, reminding me of a young Dylan, coming close to a rap that drives the beat. It is demanding people put their money where their mouth is - no big talk acceptable without the walk to back it up. 'You're actions speaking louder than your bumper stickers.' Yeah, that one works for me. Daddy's Little Girl took me back, really surprised me. I assumed this was going to be a sweet song coming from this proud stay-at-home father/rock star, but instead it goes darker and deeper, tackling the problem of drug abuse in the world, I am sure a father's worse nightmare.
3AM Vampire offers a slight nod to Twilight, but that ain't what it is all about. It is a return to the ska beats and vocals. I took it as the odd ramblings of the singer/songwriter on a schedule that keeps him up late at night. Whether the vampire queen is a a groupie or him being stalked by his profession, I am not sure. But I love the song! Peace? is a beautiful love song to humanity. Gotta love a song that promotes respect, education, and love to achieve peace. 'Peace and humanity go hand-in-hand.' The final cut on the album is Daydream, and has a slight country feel, which dissipates with Cavanaugh's vocals. With the addition of the lovely vocals by Lindsay White, the chorus achieves a dreamy mode, those of dreams lost and memories dark, and dreams still held dear. Somehow, they manage to make it all something beautiful.
We Got Love is available for purchase on CD Baby, here. I bought it, and am glad I did. If you like the taste you have here with the two videos, I am sure you will too.
Trying to stay ahead of the curve here, since a big snow storm is coming and I don't know if the power and/or internet will be staying on here in rural Delaware, I'd like to welcome two new followers of the blog, Chad and Jennifer.
Chad is Chad Cavanaugh, the California singer/songwriter featured recently on Soundtrack. Can I just say, not onl is that picture adorable, but there is something kinda hot about a proud father. Is that wrong? If so, I apologize now. Anyway, Chad also has his own blog, Stay At Home Rock Star, which you can find here. And I am still crazy for his music, which you can find on iTunes here. Jennifer joins us via Twitter, checking in from Johnson City, Tennessee. She is a wife, mother of two, and a lover of music - should fit in very well here. She is a big fan of Dwight Yoakam, so I can have no argument there. She might not have her own blog yet, but you can check her out on Twitter here. While it might be easy to welcome them with a video of Chad, if I was thinking I would of saved the video of him and his daughter for now, but...I didn't. So I am tossing out there a video of Dwight Yoakam doing a greatest hits medley live from the Grand Ole Opry. Enjoy!
Here is another musician I found on Twitter, via my friend @bsayasane. She sent me to his MySpace page and I listened to a couple of songs and liked them, so I purchased The Coffeehouse Rebellion from iTunes, 7 songs for just $6.93. But before I dive right in, perhaps I should offer up a bit of background about Chad, at least what little I know. Chad is from the San Diego area, and, as the headline implies, is married singer/songwriter. According to his blog, he is also a stay at home and a very proud father. He also produces a local artist showcase, an open mic night spotlighting San Diego area artists, with is fully booked months in advance. Yep, he's a busy guy. He has an acoustic folk feel at heart, showing the influences of Dylan as well as those of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. He delivers his music with a slight quirk in both singing and cadence, but I do enjoy that quirk. I'll start out with giving a taste of his music, although this song isn't on the debut. This is We Got Love, an obviously personal and truthful song.
The Coffeehouse Rebellion is a seven-song offering that kicks off with the highly enjoyable Ride Back To Your Heart. This jaunty number talks about how a person can strand themselves out in the wilderness, hoping to find their way back to the one they love to help ground them. Next up is All I Have To Give, another song of love, this time defining the ground rules, giving your all for love.
The Coffee Song comes on next, another up-tempo song that is autobiographical, a day in the life of a stay-at-home Rock Star in need of that first cup of coffee. The fourth cut, House Ain't A Home, slows it down a bit, acknowledges it isn't the structure that makes a home, it is the love inside it, discovered because of a broken relationship. If I were a betting man, I would think this song were written for his wife. She Don't Know is a confessional, talking about his love. 'She don't know what she's doing' to me.' The next to last song is Give Up Everything, "Can you feel what I feel? Cn you sing what I sing? Can you dance to the beat of my heart?" This is a lovely up-tempo love song, so very heart-on-your-sleeve. Finally, there is a classic folk/blues number, a story way too common during tough financial times. Dead Man Walking tells the tale of the helplessness as bills piles up and the calls start to come in. Yet you still have to figure out how to make it work for your family. Here it is on video from a live show.
Finally, I wasn't sure if I would include this or not, but just the truth of it all convinced me I must. The song is also not on the album, but it was written when his daughter was born. I'm Your Daddy is just that sweet song for her, and the song most would love to have their daddy sing to them at some point.
Chad's MySpace page here. If you'd like to purchase his debut release, The Coffeehouse Rebellion, from iTunes, click here. Also, you might enjoy his blog, Stay at Home Rock Star, found here. You can find a more complete schedule on the MySpace page, but in the meanwhile, this is his schedule coming up.
