Today is my amazing mother’s 49th birthday. To say I’m blessed to know her is an understatement.

Happy birthday, Mom.

Tonight, I’d like to introduce you to Orba Squara and his latest release, The Trouble With Flying. Folks, prepare to love this album.  Orba Squara is the alias of one Mitch Davis, a super talented New York based singer-songwriter.

First, let’s all “ooh” and “ahh” over the cover art. Isn’t it neat?

To be completely honest, this album is probably one of my favorites of the fall and it may even make my list of favorites for the year. I’ve had it on heavy rotation for the last week. While listening, I couldn’t help but think of all the pop-acoustic artists from the 60’s that I’ve always loved. There’s such a nostalgic, youthfulness to the songs. Many are set to the kind of pop-laden riffs and have the sort of lyrics that make me think of songs like Simon & Garfunkel’s “At the Zoo.” However, these pop-ier songs are mixed with slightly more subdued ballads. For all its youthful spirit, the album deals with heavier, more grown up themes like the never ending searches we go on for better times, love, fulfillment and whatever else we all seem to be looking for. In addition to the obvious musical talent, the lyrics on this album really speak to me.

The album opens with sugary, musical sweetness in “Treasure Map.” The next track, “Come So Far” keeps things simple. He sings, “If I could be a brilliant man just for a day, I’d try to write the perfect line to sing outside your window pane. Now that I have found you, I’d really like to stay. Now that I have found you, I’d really like to stay. That’s what I’ve come so far to say.” We then move to one of my favorites on the album, “Picture Perfect.” Orba Squara brings back the upbeat arrangements. You can’t help but tap your foot and bob your head along with the beats on this song. He sings, “My life was black ‘til you came around and brought me light…’Cause you’re a picture perfect painting, and you’re awful sweet.  ‘Cause you’re all the all the colors in the rainbow, all the colors in the rainbow to me.”

One of my other favorite tracks on the album is “Tomorrow,” which to me almost sounds like a lullaby. I can just imagine this song as the soundtrack to the sun setting on the first day of a long and winding road trip (more on that below.) He sings, “All my bags are packed, I’ll be leaving here tomorrow…nice to see you, yes I’m doing well.”

The title track, “The Trouble with Flying” is a raucous, busy, driving song. It has lots of parts (I think I even heard a sitar and an accordion?) and is so complex and interesting. He sings, “That’s the trouble with flying, there’s a risk that you’ll fall back down. But if you don’t even try your wings, do you really have anything?” Amen.

Side note: In addition to being present on “The Trouble with Flying,” guess who accompanies on vocals on one of the later tracks, “’Tell Me,” as well? That would be Billy Squier. Yes, that Billy Squier of “The Stroke” fame. I have to say, in all honesty, his gravelly voice is both the perfect addition and juxtaposition to Orba Squara’s voice on these two songs. You can read more about how they got together here. This development is an interesting, good surprise.

The album rounds things out with “Brand New Day” and “Very, Very (Snow in June)” to bring it full circle. It brings us back to the joyful, upbeat music and the sweet lyrics.

I very, very highly recommend this album. But there’s more.

He didn’t just record a stellar new album. Orba Squara also embarked on a cross country bus tour with stops in 10 cities to get the word out about this latest release. To chronicle the journey, an impressive digital scrapbook can be found on the website.  I use the term “scrapbook” loosely. The site is an ultra creative, “430 foot side-scrolling Flash site with photos, music, typography and thoughts on the trip and the new album.” Cool, huh? Starting in Manhattan and ending in Portland, Ore., the journey included stops in Austin, which is day six. Folks, these pictures are gorgeous. In addition to the photo diary, you can watch a video for “The Trouble with Flying” with scenes from the trip here. It may be a long journey, but Orba Squara is clearly enjoying the ride.

Here’s more info on Orba Squara:

Myspace is here.
Website is here.
Download the album here.

I’m working on several big posts (including album reviews) and some cool new stuff. Will return in full force tomorrow on Monday, my dears.

Xo.

P.s.- Have fun at Fun Fun Fun Fest this weekend!

iPod on shuffle:

1. “Lost and Found” by Phoenix

2. “Vogue” by Madonna (yes, really.)

3. “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen

4. “Falling Away With You” by Muse

5. “Memories of You” by Ryan Adams

6. “Velvet” by The Toadies

7. “Remember When (Side A)” by The Black Keys

8. “Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone (you bet your ass I have some Sly Stone on my iPod.)

9. “Oceans & Streams” by The Black Keys

10. “Love Ridden” by Fiona Apple

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!


Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night were a big part of my childhood. I went to a British school in Suffolk. I used to have the above poem memorized.

Quick commercial:

I’m going to the blogger meet up, erm, bleet-up tonight! Tolly of Austin Eavesdropper has been a driving force in getting Austin bloggers together and I’m so excited about this event tonight. I hope you’ll be there! I’d love to meet you!

Goldfrapp, “White Horse”

I’ve posted a video with this song before. I just love it, so I’m gonna post it again.

So, on Sunday night I had the weirdest dream. It was so unnerving that it has stuck with me for the past two days and I even solicited the help of friends to try and interpret what it could mean. Part of me was joking in asking. Part of me wasn’t.

I dreamed that Tom Cruise confessed his never ending love to me in the frozen foods section of my local H-E-B.

What the ef?

My friend Megan said, “Did you promptly kick him in the nuts and say, ‘No, Tom. I will NOT have your alien baby?’” My friend Ashley inquired what part of the frozen foods section we were in because that could impact the symbolism.

I know this much: it was Mission Impossible Tom Cruise, rather than Top Gun Tom Cruise or couch jumping Tom Cruise. He literally walked up to me and said, “I want you to know I love you. Forever,” and then I guess I made myself wake up shortly after. It’s weird to me because Tom Cruise isn’t one of my most favorite actors or anything. I would much rather have dreamt about Robert Pattinson.

Here’s the only reason I think I could possibly have had that dream: a couple of weeks ago I watched the now infamous episode of Nightline on ABC wherein Scientology spokesperson Tommy Davis stormed out on reporter Martin Bashir when he was asked whether or not the cult religion espouses the story of Xenu to explain their origins. The episode centered on Scientology’s aggressive recruitment of celebrities and I guess it must’ve showed a clip of Tom Cruise, an avowed Scientologist. Maybe that got implanted somewhere in the recesses of my brain? I have no idea.

But really, what is my brain trying to tell me?

My good friend Liz has been taking cooking classes at Whole Foods. She spoke in glowing terms about them last week when we met for dinner. It was really inspiring to hear about how much fun she’s had in the classes and how many cool kitchen tidbits she’s picked up that will be useful from here on.

That said…

I’ve written on here before about my struggles with food and all that that entails: choosing the right things to eat, taking time to cook, taking time to enjoy every bite, remembering how precious food is and why I’m eating it, etc. One thing I’ve wanted to do is become a more conscious eater and although I’ve done pretty well, I have slipped up here and there. So, I’m embarking on a new project this month: I’m going to cook something from scratch at least four nights a week. The goals of this little experiment of mine are to build a greater appreciation for the process of making a meal, to become a more informed consumer and become a more engaged and appreciative eater. I always hear stories about how in Italy and France making a meal is a true event and a celebration. In addition to those aforementioned goals, I’m hoping that this project will improve my cooking skills a bit. Right now I have trouble navigating the kitchen outside of using the microwave and boiling water. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I can also make veggie enchiladas and scrambled egg sandwiches. But a girl cannot live by those dishes alone.

Late last night, I pulled out all my cookbooks and it was actually really fun to thumb through the pages of each one and pick out recipes for the month. I’ve chosen to conduct this little cooking experiment four nights a week because I figure I’ll have extra portions I can eat as leftovers the next night. I also wanted to account for the nights I won’t be cooking because I’ll be out of town for work or for Thanksgiving. After picking them out, I wrote all the recipe titles on a calendar that’s now on my refrigerator. I took an epic trip to the grocery and bought all the goods, with the exception of all the produce I’ll need. I’m trying to make an effort to use fresh produce each time a recipe calls for it. To keep track of this project, I’m thinking about adding a new page to this blog so you all can see what I’ve made.

Wish me luck and send me a “bon appetit.”

I feel like every time I write the word “Zorch” I have to include an exclamation point. Zorch! ZORCH! Maybe it’s because if their music were a punctuation mark, it’d be an exclamation point.

But, I digress.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a review of local synth duo Zorch’s latest tracks of badassery. I promised to update you lovely readers on their upcoming shows.

I scoured their various sites and I couldn’t find posters, but really, all you need are the details.

TOMORROW (per MySpace) they’ll be playing at the Zombie Ball at Sustainable Waves, 8:00 p.m. Halloween show! For more info on the Zombie Ball itself, check out the website. Make sure you wear your best zombie get-up.

On MONDAY, November 2nd, Zorch will be playing with Le Loup and Nurses at The Mohawk. The show starts at 10 p.m.

December 4th, the duo will be at Red7 with The Dry Season and Many Birthdays. Check out their MySpace here to get better acquainted. Or you can go to their website at this address: