Matt Wertz

Been a while since I posted a song, so I'll just drop it here for you. This guy is named Matt Wertz, and he isn't mainstream just yet, but hopefully he's on his way. One of these days I'll take some time but for now I'll just drop you a link to a couple videos.

Matt Wertz - 5:19

5:19 (Acoustic Version)

Difference between Men and Women...

So I've decided I'm going to branch out a little on this whole blogging thing. Now not only will this be a place for me to share great music that I'm currently into, but a place where I share some of my own spiritual and other lessons I'm learning as well. I know Karie is working on starting a blog as well so stay tuned for that. Until I think of something useful to share I thought I'd post one of my old papers I wrote in college I recently found on my computer I really would love to hear any additional insight you may have on the topic... The assignment (in a nut shell) was to offer some perspective on the difference between Men and Women. Keep in mind this was just before I met Karie, and though much of it still generally rings true, it was written from my single and frustrated perspective...

Women

Men and woman have traditionally been thought of as thinking very differently about things. For most of my experience with those of the opposite sex I have been in a state of confusion in my attempts to understand them. It seemed like whenever I tried to guess exactly what they were thinking, I came up short. Girls, as far as I was concerned, were nothing but a headache, a headache I simply couldn’t resist. That is one strange thing about men, we gripe and complain about the women in our lives and our failed attempts to try to understand them, but when it all comes down to it that’s the subject of our one-track mind.

An analogy might help us understand the difference between the sexes. Men could easily be compared to the books many of us read in the first and second grade—the Dick and Jane series. These books are all extremely basic and short. Typically there are about three words on a page. Only those elements required to make a complete sentence are stated. Short three-word sentences such as “See Dick run” or “Dick chases Jane” fill the entire book. Men, much like these books, are generally simple minded and basic in their thinking. Little thought goes into explaining any additional meaning his words might have.

On the contrary, woman could be compared to a Shakespearean play with many plots and subplots. Rarely will you understand the intricacies of the play the first time through. It is likely you will need a study group, an instructor, Cliffs Notes, and perhaps even background knowledge of history to grasp its full meaning. Very little is directly spelled out for you in Shakespeare, but much is left for you to interpret and figure out on your own. However, when the time is taken to understand, your love for it grows, and you are a better person for it.

The trouble is men try to read women as they would the “Dick and Jane” books. They interpret things literally and fail to look for the deeper meaning behind what’s said. They don’t even think of the tone of voice it might be said in, or that she might not be spelling out exactly what she means. This frustrates woman, for to them it is clear that saying something like “This kitchen is a mess” really means, “Will you help me clean the kitchen?” To further complicate things, women often interpret the “Dick and Jane” language of men as they would Shakespeare. Instead of taking the phrase “Dick chases Jane” at face value, women wonder, “How fast is Dick running?” or “Does Jane want to be caught or is she just playing hard to get?” In addition they might further analyze, “Is this a playful chase, or a stalker chase?”

These differences in thinking are the root of all confusion in dating. A simple, yet not so simple, solution is to meet half way. Men can take a little more time to listen and think about what women need, perhaps even listen a little more deeply to what they’re saying. Women could try to minimize the guessing games and interpret actions more literally. If we do, there will be much less confusion and more harmony in our lives.

Heeeeeere's Jamie Lidell

I know I've totally been a slacker in the blog department (which is why Karie will likely be starting a family update blog at some point) but, I decided I'd take a minute today and post a couple new songs. Just to get back in the habit of it.

Check out Jamie Lidell if you're looking to funkify your music collection. His music feels a bit like a throwback to me, a little funk, a little soul, and a little bit of that "I can't hold still while this song is on" type of music.


This was the first song that got me interested in Jamie about a year and a half ago when Karie and I went on our trip to California. Since then he's released some new tunes which are also a lot of fun.

The song that recently helped me rediscover his tunes is called, "Another Day." The video is a bit strange, but all in all is pretty fun.



I'll be curious to see if anyone can name the Michael Jackson music video which seems to have had at least some influence on this video...

Timpanogos "kinda" reunion

No music today, just a quick invitation to all you former Timpanogos students. A bunch of us are getting together this Saturday, at Windsor park on Main Street (just down the street from THS), There isn't anything really official planned, just bring your own picnic if you want, and catch up with old friends. It should be fun to see what everyone is up to. I hope to see everyone there!

Benton Paul

Once in a while you find some good tunes right in your own backyard. A little less than a year ago Karie and I were trying to figure out what to do one fine Friday evening, and happened to see that Utah's favorite idol at the time, Jon Peter Lewis, (that position has now been filled by David Archuleta.) We had stumbled on a Christmas song by JPL that was and still is probably our favorite non-traditional Christmas Song called It's Christmas. Anyway, we enjoyed JPL OK but we were much more impressed with one of the opening acts, Benton Paul.

Since then, we've kind of been keeping tabs on him and his career. We really like his old stuff (that is no longer available on iTunes) but were really excited when he came out with his new CD a few months ago called "Grey"



If you like John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Daughtry, or Gavin Degraw I think you'll like him. His album is available on iTunes, and unfortunately there aren't really very many good links on Youtube to his new stuff, but you can click on his album cover above to go to his website and take a listen.



A great....GREAT cover version of Coldplay's "Fix You"



A little snippet of a live performance of "Look For the Light"

Seriously folks this is a guy who will make it big someday, give his stuff a listen and you can be one of the one's who heard of him first. :)

Indie Music (Female Singers)

I'm certain that one of the counselors in our bishopric would immediately take away a man card from me for this next post. He gave me a hard time for liking American Idol, so I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be impressed with a post all about Acoustic/Indie-type female singers. We'll go for it anyways though. I'm not sure what it is but there's just something about music that is more about the lyrics and mood, than all the production and dance floor ready stuff. I've never been partial to (though part of me enjoys) the typical female pop star. It all sounds the same, they just plug in a new powerful voice and pretty face and there's your new pop star. These artists don't fall into that category for me. They all have unique and recognizable voices with character. They have the kind of voices that you hear for a couple of second and can say, "Oh (insert name here) sings this!" Let me know who your favorite is.

Katie Herzig

I only recently came across Katie Herzig, and she's grown on me fast. Her music feels like summer, and is bound to relax you.

Priscilla Ahn

I had a buddy introduce me to her, but that was over a year ago. She has a clear voice and her songs are smart. She's releasing an album her in the next month or two so look for her to become popular soon.

Tristan Prettyman

Karie and I saw her about two years ago when we went to see Ben Taylor in Park City. It doesn't translate on her albums but when we saw her live she sounded like Joni Mitchell was singing Jason Mraz type tunes. Her new Album comes out this week, and I think it will be her coming out party. She's great and is primed for pop success.

Feist

A bit different, but I love it. Her lyrics are creative and her sound is unique.

Debra Fotheringham

She's a local artist here in Utah, and we discovered her music when we went to see Benton Paul (Who also is amazing) at a house show in Provo. She's very skilled on the guitar, and again is awesome live. She has a song called "You Are Truth" that in my opinion would be a hit if Norah Jones had it on an album. Debra sings it well, the only reason I say that is Norah already has a following so people would pay more attention to it.

Missy Higgins

Watch out for Missy Higgins. Again it's only a matter of time before she pulls a Colbie Caillet and is all over the radio here.

Ingrid Michaelson

She's already made it, but you should check out some of her other tunes, because she's actually pretty good all around.

Regina Spektor

She's had a period of success already. She, like Feist is very unique, and her lyrics are amazing. She's extremely creative you won't be disappointed.

Nellie Mckay

She's another Norah Jones type singer. Only most of her tunes are very sarcastic and dark. You'd never know it unless you listen to the lyrics though. She has a couple good positive songs, but for the most part her songs are cynical.

lady danville

It's been a little while since I posted anything, it's been a busy week. If anyone is looking for some new chill music, check out lady danville



I stumbled on this group randomly a few months ago, and slowly got addicted to the six songs they have available on the Internet. They're kind of a folksy group, mostly acoustic, and some really interesting harmonies. My favorite song by far is Love to Love. It's another mind-sticker.