What's Going On?

Hi y'all,

I'm just checking in to let you know what's going on in my life and some of my plans for the future.

First of all; I'm very busy packing up my home for our move next Friday. It's all going according to "plans". We've been packing a little bit now and then, but this weekend we are doing some more focused packing. We want most of it to be done by tomorrow night, so we'll only have bits here and there to pack during the week and only a few things to pack come Friday morning. I'm so excited!

My friends C, D and I had our monthly Girly Night tonight with films, foot baths, face scrub and popcorn drenched in butter last night, it was so relaxing and fun. Usually we do face and hair masks as well, but we skipped those yesterday because we were so into the films we forgot until it was too late. After we move we will live slightly further away so we might need to change our Girly Nights to Girly Sleepovers. Walking between our buildings now takes a minute in a gated community, but walking between our homes after the move will be 15 minutes in the dark streets, and doing that walk in our PJs in the middle of the night might not be a great idea.

I've got four more days of work before I've got 2,5 weeks off starting with the move on Friday, Next is Awards Night with work next Saturday, and then I'm off on my dream trip to see my sister, Home Free, Home Fries, London, musicals and who knows what else, on the following Wednesday. I've decided to cut my trip shorter than I originally planned because I am eager to come home to my new house to really start living in it before going back to work on the 8th. I'm on late that week which means I get to sleep in, and then sit in my office and do some writing before going to work. Oh, and my bf and I have our 6 year anniversary on the 7th.

So, how about the blog. Well, on the 1st of February, when I 'm in London, it's my blog's 1 year anniversary. As I will be away I'm not sure what time and possibility I will have to post something special, but I'll do what I can. When I come back I'm going to start working on a new series for the blog; I'm going to call it "5 reasons to watch ..." and I'm planning on doing one for every Home Free video (already released and new releases), every Chris Rupp video, some of the VoicePlay videos and whatever other videos I feel like doing it for. I will post at least one a week, some weeks more. I've been thinking about doing it for a while and I am really looking forward to it. I hope you will all come visit the blog to check it out. Oh, and those 5 reasons will not be the Guys of Home Free, because they are kind of obviously in all of them.

I also want to get back into my other writing, because I love to write. With my new home office I feel I will have an easier time to focus and be creative. Right now I'm doing most of my writing sitting in bed and it's not really inspiring in the long run.

I've mentioned my dad's writer's desk in previous posts and my plan is to have it here before my birthday in March. It's always been my dream to write a book sitting at that desk.

These are all things I am very excited about, and I can't wait for it all to happen. But in the meantime I am enjoying the ride just as much. All the planning and dreaming is just as big part of it all as the goals are. That's the trick to life, I think, to not only strive for and celebrate reaching a goal, but to enjoy and love the journey to it.

Today's video is a live video from the release party for Chris Rupp's debut solo album "Shine". This song is a fun swing style male duet, and it makes me smile and feel happy. Here's "Drinkin' With Me". Try not to smile. Seriously, if you didn't get this album yet this is the time to do so. You can find all the information about how to get it at Chris' website.

Thanks to Heidi Rancour for filming it, sharing it and allowing me to use it. You should check out her YouTube channel, she's got some really nice live videos.

Love//
Carina

One Year With Home Free!

Happy Anniversary to me! One year ago today my life changed. A Facebook friend of mine posted a video on her time line that showed up on my news feed. At first I ignored it, even though it caught my attention, but the third time it showed up a friend of my Facebook friend had commented on it saying that it looked like one of the guys from Home Free, the guys that had won the Sing Off the year before. To this day I still have no idea why that comment had me look closer at the video, But it did.

And I was hooked. As so many of us have done I spent the next few days and nights, watching everything I could find with this amazing bunch of Guys. I hardly slept, but I still had so much energy. I felt like I had found my one true love, and in a way that was exactly what I had done. I'm sorry, did I say "the next few days and nights"? I meant months. Heck, I'm still doing it; just not every day and night. 

A few days later I joined Patreon to get access to this gem (below), and a few days after that I joined one of the fan groups on Facebook. And I haven't looked back.

So what has this past year brought me, how did finding Home Free change my life? 

First of all; I have made a whole lot of new friends, and even though I still haven't met any of them in real life I know that I will when I get the chance to attend a show, or even just go for a visit anywhere near where any of them are located. I could probably sofa hop around the world staying with other Fries. How cool would that be?! 

Home Free fans are not like any other fan. They are loving and supporting, and they help each other out with whatever needs being helped with. They will give away a ticket to a show, or pick you up at the airport, or even do your grocery shopping if you can't do it yourself and they are in the area. They will send you gifts, and they will pay it forward (or Fry it forward as we like to call it). There are support groups for Fries that struggle with weight or that need emotional support, or prayers, during hard times. And they will support and encourage your creativity. I have seen so many Fries pick up their long lost passions of writing, drawing, singing, you name it! And they are all being cheered on by other Fries! Isn't all this what a friend should be all about?! At least it is to me! This is the feeling that the Guys of Home Free spread around them; the feeling of great friendships!

It also brought back my love for music. Before I would listen to music on occasion, but now not a day goes by when I don't listen to some type of music, and I listen to Home Free every day. I love music that makes me feel love and happiness, music that makes me smile and want to sing and dance. That is one of the reasons I love Home Free. Their music makes me feel all that and more. 

Thirdly it made me start writing again. I am one of those Fries that picked up my passion. Mine wasn't a long lost one, it was still present, but I was in a state of giving it up. And then Home Free came in to my life, and watching them, reading about the hard times and the struggles they went through to get to where they are today, following them, seeing and hearing how they grow and evolve, knowing that they never gave up no matter how tough the times were. THAT keeps me going when I lose my ground. And with all these happy feelings inside from listening to their music inspiration is growing and flowing more and more by the day. The belief in myself is increasing. And I know that everything will be OK. 

Finding Home Free did change my life, I am a happier person today than I was one year ago.

Thank you, Home Free!

If you have watched all these videos right now I bet you have a big goofy smile on your face. If not, go back and watch them again! 

Love//

Carina

Music Sunday

It's been a long time since I did a Music Sunday post, so I figured it's about time! Right!?

Back in February I shared the amazing mash-up of Thinking Out Loud/I'm Not The Only One with Sam Tsui and Casey Breeves. I fell deeply in love with Casey's voice the first time I heard it, especially his lower range, and have been following him ever since and yesterday he posted a video with another collaboration that blows my mind and speaks to my music heart. This time it's with the 2014 winners of Britain's Got Talent, the music theater boyband Collabro. Collabro is 5 guys that have backgrounds in music theater. When they had their first addition for BGT they had only been singing together for about a month, but they blew the judges away, because boy can they sing and build a song up. You will most certainly hear more about these guys in the future. They are still young and I am sure they will evolve and grow over the years to come.

The song they are singing with Casey Breeves is a cover of Bob Dylan's Make You Feel My Love. There are 6 guys and a grand piano, and it will give you goosebumps. Collabro's second album, Act Two, was released in June and it is filled with goodies if  you are into music theatre songs. I know I am!

Collabro have a lot in common with Home Free; first of all they won a televised talent show, they are five guys that can really sing, their songs are built up with their voices and harmonies (although Collabro also uses instrumental backgrounds), their fans are passionate and range from the young ones to the elderly, they share an obvious love and admiration for each other, they seem to be honestly impressed when one of the others sings, and they don't seem to mind sharing the spotlight with each other so there is no obvious front person - they take turns.

They are touring the UK next spring, and if I get the chance I might fly up there to catch them live.

I'll share three videos with you today. First out is the one already mentioned, the collaboration with Casey Breeves - Make You Feel My Love;

Here's their first audition for BGT, I swear I get tears in my eyes watching this;

This third video is a live video from Symphony Hall, Birmingham, this song is on their new album Act Two; Music Of The Night;

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

Love//
Carina

Rock Meets Country

Is there a new star rising on the Country Music sky?

Steven Tyler, 67, singer in the legendary, bestselling rock & roll band Aerosmith already is a star on the Rock Music sky, but he just released a music video for the first single off his up-coming album.

The song is called Love Is Your Name and it is different from everything we have ever heard from Steven before. This song is country, but it is kind of a Steven Tyler rock-y type of country, and it is really good. This is not pure, old-fashioned country music; this is tougher, rawer and rockier than traditional country, but it is still country, but it's sung Steven Tyler style.

As a fan of both Aerosmith and Country Music - this is fun.

Love Is Your Name has beautiful lyrics; it's got violins and other fun instruments; and some nice harmonies in it and of course that makes it all country - and it has one of the worlds greatest rock singers, and it works really well together. Fun, fun, fun!

Steven Tyler didn't write this song, Eric Paslay and Lindsey Lee did, but he has co-written the majority of the songs on the album which is due to be released sometime during the winter, and it will be all Country Music. This song makes me look forward to it, especially after Steven said in a press release about the video that "This song and video both resemble what the album will sound like." Yay!

Tyler says he has always loved country music, and this is in some ways him going back to his roots, and that is featured in this video, which is said to have many personal elements in it.

One of Steven Tyler's signature looks is the accessory of a bunch of long, thin scarves and in the video we get to follow those scarves. It begins with them being tied onto a mic stand in a big, empty arena followed by a beautiful girl, who is representing Steven's muse, dragging them through some beautiful scenery and scenes representing various stages of Steven's life. There's the cabin where he grew up, Steven as a child, and the pet raccoon he had as a boy living in the cabin,; there is love, family and friends and a lot of gypsy-chicness representing coming from a family that was a touring band. There is also a bonfire which burnt his eyebrows off while shooting the scene.

In an interview for People.com Steven Tyler revealed that he cried when he saw the video for the first time, and that tells me this is right for him. It certainly sounds right to me.

Also, I would love to hear Home Free cover this song. I think it would be amazing.

What do you think?

Love//
Carina

What's going on?

So, I've not posted anything for a while. Sometimes that will happen. It's due to life, or rather lack of inspiration, and it's OK. Know, that I will always come back, because, hey, I love blogging and writing. It's a part of who I am.

Speaking of writing, I have been working a bit on my book. Not a lot, but it's moving forward and that's the important thing. I get excited when I think about it! It makes me smile!

What else have I been doing? I've been completely sucked into One Tree Hill, the series. I used to watch it back in the days when it first started, and for a while now I have been thinking about re-watching it and follow it through until the end. I think I stopped watching it somewhere around the shift between season 3 and 4. So, about a week ago I started from the very beginning, and I am seriously hooked. I have to force myself to shut it off at nights because otherwise I wouldn't get any sleep at all, which actually happened the night between last Saturday and Sunday. Didn't even close my eyes. I didn't even get tired. It kind of reminds me of the first few months after I found Home Free.

Speaking of Home Free; they had their last show of the Spring Tour Tour the other night, and they are now on a short break. During the summer they will do some shows, one being their debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. For those of you that don't know what that is, it's the show that made country music famous, this is where every country musician dream about playing/singing. It is a great honour and recognition to get to perform there. A milestone worthy them, I'd say. They will also hit the studio to record their next album which is due sometime late summer/early fall. Hopefully they will have time to record some more videos for YouTube as well. And, BIG NEWS;

**********HOME FREE IS COMING TO EUROPE IN JANUARY!**********

I am so excited I can cry! At this point all we know is that they will be coming the UK in January of next year, no dates or places are known yet. We don't know if they will come only to the UK, for one show only, or if they will do several shows in the UK only, or tour more countries. But, at this point, who cares!? I will be there, no matter what! Nothing and nobody will be able to keep me away! As many shows in as many countries as possible is what I am aiming for.

So, what's next in my life? I am getting ready for a trip to Sweden! I am working tomorrow, and early Thursday morning I am off, arriving around 11 am in Sweden. I have the whole trip planned, except for one or two of the ten days I'm there for. I will be meeting up with a lot of family and friends, some that I saw when I was there in January, some I haven't seen in 10 years, others I haven't seen in 25 years and others yet I have actually never seen, like my new little nephew that was born early April. There will be birthdays to celebrate in more than one place, and I will also spend some time sorting through what stuff I have left in Sweden. Most of it is after my dad. He died only a few months before I moved to Spain, and I kept a lot of things that I didn't really need to keep, because it was too hard to get rid of them. So, I will throw a lot away, see if there's anything I can sell or give away, bring some of it with me back here, and hopefully be left with nothing more than my dad's drawer desk. It will be ten days filled with love, laughter and tears. I am sure I will miss my dad when I go through his things. The last evening is the Eurovision Song Contest, hopefully Sweden and Måns will make it to the finals because I am planning to watch it with my sister. This was an event that my dad enjoyed watching with us, but it will be the first time in a long time that my sister and I will be watching it together.

Here's some other fun news; I plan on taking you with me on my trip. I will post updates as often as I can, it might not be every day, but close to it.

Since I'm in some ways will get thrown back in time on my trip this video and song fits perfectly. Story of My Life, by One Direction, but, of course, brilliantly covered by Home Free. Enjoy!

I hope to see you on my trip!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

Wow, time sure flies quickly! I can hardly believe it's Sunday again, already! I know I've been really bad at posting the last few weeks, I've been lacking a bit in inspiration, but it will turn around soon enough.

Usually on Sundays I post something other than Home Free, but today will be different as I'd like to say something about their latest video, Mom.

I LOVE IT!

Also, today is Mother's Day here in Spain, so it's suitable. My Mom is in Sweden, and Mother's Day is still a few weeks away there, but, hey, I'm a Mom and I'm in Spain so it fits like hand in glove, don't you think!

This song is a cover of Garth Brooks song (2014), which was a cover of a Bonnie Tyler song (2013), which she actually heard someone sing somewhere in Nashville. The song is written by Wynn Varble and Don Sampson. (source; Wikipedia)

So, this is to all Moms out there. I hope you have tissues ready, 'cause it's another weeper.

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday (On a Monday)

I was so busy yesterday I completely forgot to do my Sunday Music post, so here it is now, on a Monday, but hey, better late than never as the saying goes. Right?

As you probably have noticed by now I am a fan of talent shows on TV. Nowadays I rarely watch a full episode, but I do like watching bits of them on YouTube, and I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have watched this clip I am sharing with you today. 

This is Calum Scott, on the first audition week of Britain's Got Talent 2015. When Calum enters the stage his sister Jade has just left it, she is the girl back stage. Jade didn't even get one yes from the judges, so Calum is obviously very emotional from the beginning. 

Calum sings a slow version of Robyn's Dancing On My Own, and wow oh wow, I turn into a proper sobbing mess every single time I hear it. 

So, enjoy one of Britain's talents! Oh, and I'm not sure I have ever seen Simon Cowell so pleased with himself as in this clip, or maybe he's just pleased with Calum. Either way, I am pleased with Calum, he is great and I hope to hear more from and about him in the future.

Love//

Carina

Music Sunday

Today I'm sharing something I think most of you have probably seen before, but it is worth seeing it again. Not only because of the absolutely amazing voice, but because of the reminder that we shouldn't judge people by their looks. What I like about this clip is not only Susan's singing, but the reaction from the judges and the audience when she walks out there, and how she sort of puts them all in the corner of shame without even realising it.

This video makes me smile and cry, and it makes me think about how judgmental most of us are, even when we try not to, even when we think we aren't. I think most of us need to try harder. I know I do. I don't see myself as a very judgmental person, quite the opposite really, but from time to time a catch myself thinking something about someone, only by the way the dress or look. I think we all do, but it doesn't make it ok. Just think twice, and remember that you don't want to be judged that way.

I hope you are having a great Sunday, mine is almost over, but it has been a nice one.

Love each other, and love yourselves!

And sing! Singing helps!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

This Sunday I am bringing you something completely different from what I normally give you. I stumbled upon this on Facebook (where else?) a few days ago, and I was absolutely blown away.

This young girl is only 9 years old in this clip and she is self taught. She actually learned singing like this by watching YouTube videos, trying to sound like the singers sounded. Now, this isn't just any kind of regular singing, this is opera, something that takes years and years of lessons and training to master. But not for this girl, she just does it. She was discovered when performing on Holland's Got Talent in October 2013, so I'm sure my Dutch readers are already familiar with Amira.

I don't usually listen to Opera, but this brings tears to my eyes, and I very much enjoy this. Just watch it and listen. This is one of those times when I think that souls are reborn. Because this is an old soul in a young girl singing.

This is, then, 9-year old Amira Willighagen! Today she is 11 and she has an album out.

Emjoy, and leave a comment!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the Eurovision Song Contest that we have here in Europe in May every year. In Sweden this is a huge event, and the hunt for Sweden's contribution officially starts in January every year (although the job in finding songs starts long before that). For 6 consecutive Saturdays the Swedes are sat in front of the telly watching the Melodifestivalen (or Mello as it's commonly called) while artists perform songs. The first 4 weeks will show 10 contributions per week, with the top 2 going straight to the final week, and the 3d and 4th going to a second chance aired week 5. The top 2 of those goes to the final week. These evenings bring family and friends together over some nice food, loud opinions and laughter.

In the end there are 10 songs and artists ready for the big Final week 6. The winner is chosen by the votes of the viewers and jury groups around Europe. I'm not going to get in to the technicalities of how the votes are calculated, but they are.

The winner of all this gets to go to the Eurovision Song Contest, which is held in the country of last year's winning song. 

Nowadays most countries contributions are in English, but there used to be a rule that you were only allowed to sing in the official language of the country you were competing for. This was always unfair because a lot of people understand English, or Spanish, but very few understand Turkish, Polish or Greek. It was fun in a lot of ways, but I prefer it now when I can understand the lyrics of the songs.

Anyway, this is Sweden's winning act, and this year's contribution to Eurovision. There is an official video of this song, but I'm sharing the actual performance that won Melodifestivalen, because the light show is quite spectacular.

This is Måns Zelmerlöw. Måns came in fifth in Swedish Idol in 2005, and he won the first season of the Swedish Let's Dance in 2007. Here is Heroes.

Oh, and beware of his eyes. You might drown if you're not careful. 

Love//

Carina

The Rumbling Bass

Tim Foust is the bass singer of Home Free. You know what a bass guitar does in a band with instruments, right? This is only part of what Tim does with his voice in this band. When I first started to listen to Home Free it was partly because of Tim, not because of his awesome bass lines, but because of how low he can sing. And because I love his voice in general. Along the way I discovered that he, and his voice, is so much more than just that.

To be honest, I have never really noticed bass lines before discovering Tim. It's just something that's been there, in a good way, but it's never really caught my attention before.

Tim actually has a 5 octave range allowing him to sing almost as high as Austin, the band's high tenor, and lower than anybody can think. It is said that when you are in the audience of a live show and Tim goes down low you can actually feel it rumbling in your body. How cool is that? I can't wait until I get to find that out first hand.

Tim was born and raised in Texas, and in high school he studied and performed classical music, and he sang in the school choir. He was a pre-dental at University before dropping out to pursue a career in music, which is where his passion lays. Over the years he has appeared on albums with a couple of other groups before Home Free. He has shared a stage with famous artists such as Gladys Knight and Kenny Loggins. He also pursued a solo career and has a great country solo album out called "The Best That I Can Do". You can find it on iTunes and Amazon as mp3 downloads. I love this album, by the way. Tim has also worked as a featured writer and is a skilled songwriter, and some of his songs are on the Home Free albums Crazy Life and Full of Cheer  (available for purchase on their website, just click their name at the top of this post). I will feature some of his original songs in a later post.

This extremely talented man does a lot of the arranging of the songs, and is also known for his sarcastic and witty sense of humour; which shows in some of his songs, and also during the live shows. You can also see it in his "What Burns My Brisket" series on the Home Free website.

After singing on and off with Home Free for a year or two he joined them full-time in 2011.

Just as in the post about Adam Rupp, the band beat boxer, I will share with you two videos to feature Tim. The first is a live video from their Spring Tour Tour, and again it is filmed by the awesome Heidi. Check out her YouTube channel for more videos here.

This first video is a cover of Josh Turner's "Your Man", and you get to hear some of the 5 octave range I mentioned; and see some of the band's goofiness.

How low can you go?

The second video is a cover of Avicii's "Wake Me Up" and I want you to listen to the bass line in this one. To me, this is way better than any bass guitar I have ever heard.

What do you think?

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

I'm having a lazy day today. Listening to music, reading, listening to books, watching telly, writing, and doing some sunbathing. It feels like summer outside. Lush!! 

This is one of my favourite artists, and one of my favourite songs with him, and it is a perfect song for today.

I give you Bruno Mars and The Lazy Song. I love this video too. 

Bruno is second on my list of artists I want to see live. Awesome entertainer!

Have a great Sunday! I'm on my way up on the roof terrace to soak in the sun!

How are you spending your day?

Love//

Carina

"What We Ain't Got"

Home Free's latest video was released 10 days ago, and I can't really believe I haven't written about it until now. This is some of their best work in so many ways.

It is a cover of Jake Owen's "What We Ain't Got" (you'll find the video on his website). It is a song about realizing that we should appreciate and be grateful for what we have, because one day it might be gone. I had never heard the song before Home Free released their rendition, and I am in complete awe of it.

I really like Jake Owen's original a lot as well, as it turns out, it is raw and heartfelt, and simple. It doesn't have any unnecessary sounds in it. And the video stays true to that.

But then we have Home Free's version. It is even more raw and heartfelt, and it is pure vocals, even Adam is singing rather than beatboxing on this one. The harmonies are out of this world, the sadness and the emotions in every word, every sentence, can be felt in the depth of my heart.

The video deepens it even more. The look on their faces and the sadness in their eyes sets the foundation of the whole feel of it. The guys don't move in this video, they just sit or stand there, and sing, the camera does all the moving. And if you look carefully you will notice the things around them will disappear until there's nothing left. Chris, whose signature is his hats, loses it. Rob, who wears glasses, loses them.

I'm not sure what else to say about this video, except that you have to watch it, and listen to it (preferably with some nice headphones with a good bass).

After that, share it! Share this post! Spread the word! These guys are too awesome not to get a whole lot of more attention than they do, and also, we need them to do a world tour so please help out!

Happy Friday!

Love//
Carina

How I Spent My Birthday

Saturday was my birthday! Yaaay! I turned 45, I know right, who would have thought?! I only remember my age sometimes when I look in the mirror. I've never had a real crises about my age, and I was afraid I was going to get it now since a friend of mine had it when turning 45. But, I didn't. I still love life, and that's all that matters to me. I still do what I want to do. I love my job, family, friends, writing, listening to music, watching Home Free videos, sunbathing, watching series and films, blogging, traveling and so much more. So, I just figure why stress about what I don't have, what I haven't achieved or that I am closer to death. Because, let's face it, I am! Every day. I'll just enjoy what I can and what I have while I'm still alive. Yaay for life!

Anyway, my birthday was a perfect day to me. First I got to sleep in, and then I got breakfast in bed by my Sweetie and the kitties. And Sweetie gave me a very nice neckless. The kitties are supposed to get me a present sometime this week. Apparently it was raining too much for them to go out shopping last week. I think they are just lazy. He he

From my son I got a composition. He composed a song for me, for my birthday and it's called "Where We Find Love". You can find it here! Isn't that a lovely title? While you're there you should have a listen to his other songs as well. And if you like it why not support him so he can keep doing his music and grow as an artist. If you want to, of course! If nothing else, please comment good stuff on his songs!

After breakfast and presents I spent the day in bed watching series, since I was tired from being on the antibiotics and on and off sinusitis for the past 3-4 months. And hey, I'm getting to see a specialist for it in a couple of weeks. Another Yaaay!

In the evening we had tacos and watched the film "Interstellar". It was actually surprisingly good, I thought. Different. Oh, tacos the Swedish way is one of the most popular weekend foods in Sweden, especially on Fridays. I prefer it on Saturdays, though. Because I'm different that way! Ha!

Anyway, I had a great day! And I am feeling a lot better than I was! Life is truly great, and I am so grateful for all I have!

I hope you are too!

Oh, and keep you're eye out for my next short story, It will be up this week!

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

It's Sunday again! I love Sundays, because I get to spend a lot of time surfing YouTube in the hunt for a music video to share here. Sometimes I already know which one I want, but sometimes I don't. Sometimes I change my mind and go with something other than planned.

Anyway, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, so to speak, for a while, but am starting to feel a bit better. I think it's allergies, so it's nothing serious.

So, back to Music Sunday! I had nothing planned for today, so I started the hunt. I've been listening to some of my favourite singers/artists, and also some new to me stuff. A lot of good music, but nothing that felt completely right. And so I decided to go with one of my favourites, when it hit me I should have a look in my likes playlist. That's where videos you have pressed like on end up, so it's easy for you to find. I scrolled down, past all my Home Free likes, and found this gem.

In Europe we have something called the Eurovision Song Contest in May every year since 1956. This is where ABBA got their big breakthrough when they won with the song Waterloo in 1974. Anyway, the ESC is a huge thing in a lot of countries, especially in Sweden. This is a night to gather your friends around, not because of the great music, but because of the fun of voting and discussing all the contestants. This year Australia will join us. Yes, we know Australia is no where near Europe, but the ESC is actually huge down under.

This is Malta's contribution in 2013. It's sung by a guy called Gianluca Bezzina, who is actually also a doctor. I like his voice, and I like the song. What do you think?

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday!
I'm about to do some writing. A new story will be up within a couple of days.

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

Today I want to talk about one of my favourite voices of all times, Jill Johnson. She is Swedish, and she sings country music, as well as other types of music. Jill has been a favourite of mine for many years, and I absolutely love her voice.

Jill has worked with a lot of big names over the years; Rascal Flats, Lionel Richie, Ronan Keating and Nathan Chapman just to mention a few of them. 

Jill recently had her own TV show, on Swedish Television, called Jills Veranda (Jill's porch) where. It was taped in Nashville and featured different country artists. The show was well received by both the viewers and the critics.

She is currently collaborating with a country singer named Doug Seegers, a former homeless street musician from Nashville, that released his debut album last year. Doug has had great success in Sweden, and has also released his album, "Going Down To The River", in USA. On March 27 Jill and Doug's album "In Tandem" will be released. The album is produced by the multiple time Grammy Award nominated producer Joe Chiccarelli, and you will hear The McCrary Sisters on choir and it is said to feature some of the most respected musicians out of Nashville.

This video of Going Down To The River, the title track from Doug's debut album, also features another of my favourite Swedish singers, Magnus Carlson of Weeping Willow.

 Love//
Carina

The Pulse And The Beat

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in this post, Home Free was founded by the brothers Chris and Adam Rupp. Adam is the younger of the two, and he is the pulse and the beat of Home Free. He is the drummer, and the drums.

Adam has a bachelor’s of arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St Peter, Minnesota, with a focus on trumpet. Gustavus Adolphus College is an art school that is ranked among the top 100 liberal art schools in USA today. The school is firmly rooted in Swedish heritage and is actually named after the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf. 

When Home Free was founded, in 2000, Adam was singing with the others, until they discovered vocal percussion. Adam was chosen to learn how to make drum sounds using only his mouth. He spent hours listening to other vocal percussionists, to begin with Jeff Thatcher and Rockapella, analysing every sound and nuance, practising to make them himself. After 2 years he was able to percuss along with Jeff, while listening to the album Rockapella; In Concert. Being a trumpet major helped him a lot with the mechanicals and the muscular use of the art form.

Later he went on to learn from other percussionists and also discovered beatboxing (a more contemporary form of vocal percussion where other sounds than drums are also used).

Today he is very likely one of the best vocal percussionists/beatboxers in the world.

This first video is filmed live at one of Home Free’s most recent concerts, on March 7. This is Adam’s solo. This is craziness, in my opinion. This is brilliance. Enjoy! 

Thank you Heidi Rancour for catching it on film, and for letting me use it! You can check out all the songs from this concert on her YouTube channel!

The second video is an official Home Free video where you can listen to Adam using his skills in a song. Every time you hear a song by Home Free, and you hear a drum sound, stop your thoughts and remember that that sound is made by a man and his mouth. This is one of my favourites. A cover of Kenny Chesney's American Kids.

So, what do you think? Isn't he amazing? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. 

Love//

Carina

Sources: homefreemusic.com

wikipedia, and YouTube

Music Sunday

Today's choice of music video is Maroon 5's Sugar, The video is filmed when the band spent a day crashing weddings. The look of surprise and joy on the faces of the brides and grooms are priceless. This was already, I assume, one of the best days of their lives, I'm sure the surprise performance didn't make it less memorable to them. This video makes me smile! And smiling is one of my favourite things to do in life! Enjoy!

I hope you are all having a great Sunday!

Love//
Carina

8 Reasons To Watch Home Free's Thinking Out Loud/Let's Get It On Video

I was going to wait a few days with this post, but I am just so excited about this new video and cover mash up that I had to write it now. And when I have written something, I need to share. Why wait?

I first got access to this awesomeness on Friday when it was released to us Patrons, and I fell. Hard. To me, this is perfection! I have not stopped listening to it and watching it except for sleep and work. I have been waiting for days now for it to get released to the public, and finally; here it is!!

I absolutely love this! I just.... love it!! Love, love, love it! Did you get that I love it?

So, what exactly is it that I love about this mash up? Except that it is Home Free.

I broke it down in parts to help you see better;

1. The main song used is one of my favourites at the moment, the sweet, loving tune by Ed Sheeran; "Thinking Out Loud" (I shared another mash up where that song is used in this post here), and Marvin Gaye's sexier and rawer "Let's Get It On". I shouldn't have to say more than that to make you want to hear it. For real!

2. This song is just under 5 minutes long and the video is shot in one take. I think it's very cleverly done with a good mix of letting us see the Guys of Home Free as well as a story of a couple's first date. It's cool!

3. Bass singer Tim Foust is known for his crazy 5 octave range, and he uses it all in this song. Seriously, you need to have good bass in your speakers or headphones to get how low he can go. In this song he will impress not only with his low notes, but also with his high notes. Unreal!!

4. Austin Brown, the lead high tenor, is killing this. It's amazing, it's soul full, it's soft. It feels real. And he's wearing a jacket that only he can pull off, because that's who he is. Unique!

5. The couple in the video is adorable. They are played by husband and wife, Reilly and McKenzie Zamber of The Hound + The Fox that I shared in my latest Music Sunday post. Check them out! It's cuteness overload!

6. FifGen Films, is the production company that pulled off doing this one take video. Reilly and McKenzie are not only acting in this video, and have their own musical career, they are also a part of this team that has shot most of Home Free's videos since last summer. This video is one of the eight Home Free videos they shot in eight days in February. Crazy!

7. The Guys. Well, there's not really much else to say than HOT! I'm sure every girl can find a favourite among the 5 of them. Take your pick!

8. The musical arrangement. It is brilliant. It is sweet. It is hot. It is amazing. It is by Tim Foust. Foustastic!

There you have it! I'm sure I will find more things to say about it as time goes by. But this will do for now. What do you think? Are you ready to watch it yet?

Love//
Carina

Music Sunday

I love the sound of this duo. They are husband and wife (Reilly and McKenzie). I'll talk more about them in upcoming post, as they have a part in more than one of Home Free's videos.

I hope you had/ are having a great Sunday! I did!

Love//

Carina