Shmonday Shmovers

Wow my Brasilian adventure is half over, I can't believe it. My only consolation at this point is that I still have another half to go, hoping for more of the same!

I've been to the beach more in these few weeks than my previous four summers combined, definitely a perk of my Brasil studies. My Portuguese is definitely getting better, but after a week of exponential improvement I think I may have hit a bit of a plateau. Hopefully I'll bust through that soon and continue onward and upward!

Spent a beautiful weekend on Morro do Sao Paolo (Look it up!!) and am now getting ready for school eating some fresh rolls, cheese and fried plantains.

This week's cover combines the Brasilian bossanova musical style (an upbeat acoustic-y guitar and smooth vocals) with another Brasilian love...Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson actually filmed one of his music videos in Pelhourino- one of the older neighborhoods in Salvador- and people haven't forgotten it. The King of Pop lives on in the land of samba. Today's cover is a bossanova cover of "Rock With You", one of my fav MJ tracks. Enjoy gatinhas.

It's Monday in Brasil too

Oi amigos!

It's my second week in Brasil and I think I can officially say that I'm smitten. Beaches, Music, Architecture, People, Food, Culture, it's all here. Definitely feeling lucky to have been afforded this opportunity and trying to make the most of it.

This weekend while BA chillin I was sitting with my amigos from Northeastern and my host family at their beach compound in Itaparica (look it up) and listening to music. Out of nowhere, our host cousin Rodrigo (truly the life of any party) whips out a Lauryn Hill CD. Just a classic. No matter where you are, it just couldn't be denied. This week's cover had no choice but to come from the lovely Ms. Hill. Here's here take on Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You". Yuppp it's a cover.

I'll have more pictures and updates for you later, but I leave you with some from our weekend beach trip to Itaparica. That's the city of Salvador in the background..

Ps this is without flash at 10pm in the dark...yea buddy


The gringos de Salvador

Hola meninos e meninas, I've landed safely in Salvador, Brasil and am trying my hardest to immerse myself in Brazilian culture. Part of the Brazilian culture is being a good hour or two late for appointments. In honor of this tradition, I give you your Monday cover two days late.

The cover straight from the depths is the Flaming Lips' rendition of Black Sabbath's famous and oft-covered "War Pigs". This is a pretty solid venture by the quirky Lips boys and I hope you enjoy! Muito (many) updates soon! Fica de boa gringos! (Be cool).

Tchau!

Let Freedom Ring

Hot-Pea-Chew-Lie-Thief-Oath everybody!

Hope everyone is finding place to cool off in this awful mugginess! As our nation celebrates its independence we all get a chance to celebrate friends and family with BBQ, parties, swimming and everything else that makes life good. I'm at home in Ridgefield, CT for the last time before I embark on my Brazil excursion and personally can't think of a better holiday to celebrate beforehand.

Shifting gears, I came across this cover whilst creeping the Interwebz. A song that everyone knows, but an artist many have likely heard of. However the artist recreating the song may hold a little more sway, having burst on the scene over the past few years..Mr. Bon Iver. Covering the iconic 'sometimes you just can't force the issue' song, here is Bon Iver with Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me"..Enjoy America

summmer tunez

Went to a sweet outdoor concert on the historic Landsdowne Street (think the street directly behind the Green Monster at Fenway) with Lange and decided to film a little montage instead of using my words this time. Featured Dom, Young the Giant, Foster the People, Naked and Famous and Cold War Kids for only 20bux. Hoped to capture the summer heat along with the huge crowds and great music! Finally got some film burn transitions for you guys and tried to make the footage look a little 35mm-esque...see what you think! PS the pixels and twitches only came about via my YOUTUBE upload so it may be time to make the shift to Vimeo, I think I might finally be worthy..

Song: Strings by Young the Giant

BALLERDASH