(photo via here)

Public radio is far and away my primary source for discovering new music. The other night I caught the second half of this episode of New Sounds, “Frontiers of Flamenco,” which focuses on flamenco music’s intersection with the music of India, West Africa and North Africa.  I know it’s cliche to say but the music selected for the program really takes you on a journey through so many different cultures.  I find it mesmerizing!  You can hear the show through the link above.

On a semi-related note, I took flamenco dance for awhile when I was younger.  I remember the weight of skirt and the height of the heels.  Though I found it nearly impossible to keep a beat with the castanets, something about the confident posture you have to hold and the demeanor you’re meant to maintain made the whole experience feel light and playful.

It’s that moment we have all been waiting for! Another Monster Rally EP is out. In my opinion, EPs are the best because you catch a glimpse of a period of a time in an artist’s life. It is clear that Monster Rally is evolving and we love it! Keep it coming, Teds.

For the full EP, listen here.

Happy Friday!

photo by José De Almeida

I heard this song last week on All Songs Considered, my favorite source for new music. I’m generally offended by loud, sudden noises so it came as a real surprise how much I really dig this song. It makes me wish I was dressed as Thelma or Louise speeding down a dusty road (perhaps like the one above, shot in Portugal. I’d love to go there someday). Anyway, the song gets real loud and irritating; you’ve been warned.

(image via here)

I was at a yoga class last week and the teacher made a comment about this spring coming on “with a vengeance.” Today’s temperature doesn’t quite match the statement, but I’ll take it anyway! C’mon springtime; show us whatcha got!  In the meantime, I grant unto you, a playlist:

One of my goals for this year is to listen to more music around the house. This new pact to myself has brought up so many songs I used to love. I put together a playlist of songs that I love, have loved or have fallen in love to.  Just imagine that I dropped a mix tape into your backpack after school.

(image via here)

I was recently listening to this mix that Monster Rally did for MTV Hive and discovered a song by the Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke.

After listening to this one track over and over again I decided to check out more of Astatke’s music. I love the exotic sounds that are included in this record; they make me dream of hot, dry streets in far away lands.

Lauren put together a playlist of her favorite songs from 2013. So kick back and enjoy the tunes!

A little Christmas-time playlist for your ears while you shop, wrap and relax by the fire. Enjoy this week!

We are so excited to tell you that the official music video for Monster Rally’s “Orchids” premiered yesterday over on SPIN! Check out the full article here.   The video was directed by Albert Cook and Kaya Purohit (my boyfriend and lovely friend, respectively).  It also features dancers: Rakhi Varma, Monica Maluste, Avni Vachhani, Manali Mehta and Swati Sikaria.

Download Return to Paradise for free at: http://monsterrally.bandcamp.com/