Tuesday Tunes!

1. "When I Come Around" by Green Day - Here is my Tuesday Tune for this week, I am going a little old school and going with an all time favorite song of mine. I love music that just makes you move your body and takes you back to a carefree time.Well more like awkward middle school dances. -André

2. "Skeleton" by The Front Bottoms - One of my favorite songs off one of my favorite albums of 2013: "Talon of the Hawk" by The Front Bottoms. The entire album is so solid and amazing. Did I mention my record label helped put it out? -Craig

Tuesday Tunes!

So we haven't posted in like two weeks because A) We were pretty burnt out after posting every day for 12 days with our "12 Dads of Xmas" series. and B) We had the holidays to celebrate duh!

But we're back on the grind with a few posts in the works and of course our weekly "Tuesday Tunes" series. Anyway enjoy this weeks songs and if you want to listen to all the songs we've ever picked you should subscribe to our Spotify Playlist!

1. "Jamestown" by The Movielife -- It's 2013 everybody and what better way to celebrate than talking about music from 10 years go in 2003? The Movielife's "Forty Hour Train Back to Penn" is one of those "all time favorite never get sick of it" albums for me. Every song on it is so good you just want to jump up, pump your fist and sing along (or cry) no matter where you are. Put this on in your car and thank me later. -Craig



2. "Cameage" by Descendents  -- This week I chose one of my top 5 favorites tracks of all time. I grew up on the Descendants and will always listen to them. I first heard this track on a cassette tape I picked up from a local music shop in my hometown, Taunton, while out skating one afternoon. The only reason I bought it was because they were on SST Records, same label as Black Flag, Sonic Youth, and Bad Brains, so I figured it couldnt be half bad. This led me to slowly acquire their whole discography, the only thing that held me back was the amount of money I brought in on my paper route, and the condition of the deck I was skating at the time. Their music evolves as you follow their career and they even write songs about having an "adult job" and eventually growing up, even though they said they don't wanna! As an outcast skater kid growing up in the suburbs, this connection to the outside world and affirmation that there were kids like me out there was crucial. Man, do you remember the days when shaving half your head, piercing your face, dying your hair, and riding a skateboard ACTUALLY WAS THE COUNTER-CULTURE? I do, imagine all the chicks I would have scored had I been that teen, in this year? Ah well, it just helped form the anti-mainstream, jaded adult that I am today! -Michael



3. "Long Way Down" by Sam Means  --  In a whirling circle of parenting bloggers and social media sharing of hip parents I found Sam Means' solo stuff. These tunes are fun and make me tap my foot on a Tuesday at my desk creating some new illustrations. I usually skip over the one very touching song for his daughter only because I don't want anyone in the office to think I'm soft ; ) ...even though I am - Don




4. "Will Do" by TV On The Radio -- I found out about TV On The Radio from a writer on ESPN named Paul Shirley who was a bench warmer for quite a few teams in the NBA and I listened to his recommendation for "Wolf Like Me" and couldn't stop listening to them.  I chose this song because it is Eila's favorite and it calms her down and we listen to it before bedtime. But The video is amazingly beautiful, emotionally haunting and the video plays up the lyrics of the song which is what music videos are supposed to do. -Andre

Tuesday Tunes!

1. Into It. Over It. - Embracing Facts -- This week I have chosen Into It. Over It.'s "Embracing Facts" off their full length album "Proper". Fellow Hipster Dad, Don, introduced me to this band about a month ago and I have not been able to listen to anything else lately. It's fun, poppy, full of amazing lyrics that you can't help learn and sing along to instsantly. They are coming to Boston next month and I could not be more excited to go check them out! If you like the song below then listen to the album here. - Craig



2. As Friends Rust - The First Song on the mixtape you make for her -- Realistically I could post pretty much every track from every artist ever signed to Doghouse Records, and be ok with it! This one in particular has always struck a chord with me, maybe because the title alone plays to the emotionally turbulent 20 year old in me? This was released on a split with another fantastic band, Discount, on a 7" on Goodlife Recordings. They later went on to re-release a bunch of material as well as new stuff on Doghouse, and Equal Vision Records. Did I ever make a mixtape with this as the lead track? Yes. Did I do it more then once, can I plead the fifth on that one? Sorry ladies of my younger days, you were all special at one point in time, but I pulled this one out more then once. You can still look at that photo of me in my beaded neclace, XXX t-shirt, and listen to this on repeat if you want, nothing wrong with being sentimental! -Michael



3. Maritime - Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts -- About 6 years ago I got a package at my house that My wife had ordered. By the shape and size I guessed it was some new vinyl, I opened it up to find the new (at the time) Maritime record. At that point I hadn't actually got to check them out but being that it was formed by members of The Promise Ring, I was very interested. I gave it a spin and the rest is fun time indie rock history - Don




4. Petite Noir - Disappear --  Besides being an amazing song that reminds me of 80's New Wave it's also a very danceable song and the imagery in the video is absolutely beautiful. - Andre
 

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Like the music we post every week? Subscribe to The Hipster Dad: Tuesday Tunes Spotify Playlist and we will automatically update it every week with 4 new songs! Enjoy. -THD

Tuesday Tunes!

It's that time of the week again. This week we're ALL posting a song! So enjoy all four songs and hope you have an awesome day :-) -Craig

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1. "Tom Waits - Hell Broke Luce" - Waits is one of the most influential and greatest living musicians and his newest video for "Hell Broke Luce" is an amazing song and the video is just mind blowing. Enjoy! -Craig

2. "The Pharcyde - Y (J Dilla Remix)" This is just one of those childhood songs that just makes you bop your head. -Andre

3. "Tigers Jaw - I Saw Water" Being that I am starting to get up there in age and my body is creaking more and more, I have to have SOMETHING that keeps me young, right? How about listening to music that reminds me of what I listened to back in the day... made by kids almost half my age. -Don




4. "JMSN - Alone (Kastle Remix)" This track, actually this whole album was on repeat all summer for me. Big thick vibes, haunting yet romantic, solid production throughout. If you are feeling this one you should also check my favorite track on the album entitled alone, I was going to post that one but the video isnt exactly THD appropriate :)   -Michael

Tuesday Tunes!

Remember our old feature 'Thursday Tunes' well it's now on Tuesday because well Tuesday Tunes sounds way cooler right? Anyway here's my song for this week!

If you don't already know one of my other projects is a little record label here in Boston. We specialize in tapes and one of my favorite releases we've ever done was by this band American Opera. It's a folk singer from Saginaw, MI who writes some of the most beautiful stuff you've never heard. Listen here + Enjoy:


SHAMELESS PLUG: Buy the tape here.

-Craig

Damn dude, you got daddy skills...

Check out this awesome music video about what it takes to be a dad from the awesome dudes over at HorizonAve.com. It's a commentary on entering the brave world of extra-early mornings, advanced diaper-changing technique, and the ins and outs of playground etiquette. Enjoy!! -C

 

Thursday Tunes #08 / "Swing Sets & Neighborhoods" by Moses Campbell

Swing Sets and Neighborhoods  "Swing Sets & Neighborhoods" by Moses Campbell

 So haven't done Thursday Tunes in a long time but trying to get back into it because I love sharing music with you guys! So the other day I was listening to one of my favorite radio stations, WHRB, and they played this band "Moses Campbell" who sounds so good I jumped up and "Shazammed" it but it didn't work luckily they post their playlist online. This song - along with the whole album - is great! I highly suggest picking it up here.


Think: Tilly and the Wall meets The Decemberists meets The Front Bottoms meets The Unicorns.


* p.s. sorry the play button launches MySpace and then you have to hit play again - its the only place I could find it and their embedding features suck.

Thursday Tunes #11 / "Don't Go" by Letterday

This week's Thursday Tunes is "Don't Go" by Boston based indie rock sensation Letterday. Made up of some of my best friends + ex-roomies I've been a big fan. This video is off their newest EP titled "READY" and is a funny / awesome video set to an even better song. Check out the video below and if you like the song stream the whole EP free here: http://letterday.bandcamp.com -C

Thursday Tunes #10 / "Just Pretend" by DIVORCÉES

So Today's "Thursday Tunes" is a song off DIVORCÉES debut EP "Live at the New Bedford Elks #73" which will be released on vinyl by Croon Recordings on February 24th.

Not Only is this song and the entire record amazing but the band is made up of two people I have known and loved for a long time Ross Nunes and Aaron Alves who between the two of them have been in too many talented / awesome bands to count. To top it off one of my best friends Trevor Vaughan owns  the label which is putting it out and it's his first vinyl release so it's a big deal for him too. If you live in MA make sure you check out the show if not make sure you order this album when it comes out Feb 24th you wont be disappointed! Enjoy:

 

Thursday Tunes #08 / "Glory" by Jay-Z feat. Blue Ivy Carter

So I know it's Friday but whatever I was busy yesterday so you get my "Thursday Tunes" today. So as you all know (unless you live under a rock) Jay-Z and Beyonce finally had their baby. She is named "Blue Ivy Carter" and has already broken a music record by being the youngest person to ever make it on the Billboard Charts (her cry is sampled into the beat!).


It's amazing to see someone as famous as Jay-Z speak so openly and intimately about his experiences as new father. He even has a line about the pain of a miscarriage they went through. The song is great and it's awesome to have a song that speaks positively about being a father flying around the airwaves right now... Some of my fav lyrics include:

"The most amazing feeling I feel,
Words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real
Baby, I paint the sky blue, My greatest creation was you"

"A younger, smarter, faster me"

"But you was made in Paris and mama woke up the next day and shot her album package. Last time the miscarriage was so tragic,
We was afraid you disappeared but nah baby, you magic"

"You're a child of destiny, You're the child of my destiny
You're my child with the child from destiny's child, That's a hell of recipe"

Enjoy:

 

Happy Thanksgiving + Thursday Tunes!

Sorry for the lack of posts as of late... got some stuff in the works promise! Until then HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone!! Today I am thankful for my smart and beautiful daughter Sierra, I am truly blessed. -Craig

p.s. It's thursday so here is my #ThursdayTunes for this week in honor of Thanksgiving:
 

Thursday Tunes #05 / "Sierra" by Cursive

For this week's "Thursday Tunes" I have picked a song that is very important to me for obvious reasons. The song is named "Sierra" and is by a band I'm sure most of you know, named Cursive. Cursive has been one of my favorite bands for as long as I can remember and I won't say this song is the reason we chose Sierra's name but it certainty helped in the decision making process. Enjoy:

   


As an extra bonus here is a video of Tim playing "Sierra" a few months ago here in Boston after Lauren and I screamed at him to play it HAHA. Excuse the quality of the video, and the performance - everyone had a few to drink that night. xo -Craig

 

Guest Dad: Jared Blake (of GiveBackTime.org / Apollo Starfleet)

Hi.  I'm Jared Blake, and I'm the most recent addition to the hipster dad club.  I work two full-time jobs (I'm an Energy Advisor at Patriot Energy and a Director of Youth Programing at Saint Eulalia's Parish), I'm in college studying Economics full-time, I recently started a non-profit called GiveBackTime.org, I'm a lead guitarist in a band called Apollo Starfleet, but most importantly, I'm a father to the coolest and most beautiful girl ever.  Her name is Keira.

It’s so awesome to have somebody that I can love fully and completely without reservation and not expect anything in return.  If I had to give a definition on what being a true father or mother is, it would be that. 

I’ve had the lucky responsibility of being Keira’s dad now for almost three years!  As her birthday approaches next month, she’s getting more and more aware of it and increasingly excited about it.  She’s been preparing by asking for things in the stores.  Although turning three in itself is a huge milestone for both of us, this is a multi-layered event.  I’ve been lucky enough to work from home for her whole life, and have spent mostly every day with her since she’s existed.  The thought running through my mind is that her upcoming birthday brings the promise of her starting preschool, and the reality that I probably won’t have the same amount of time with her ever again.  Now, I know that sounds a bit dramatic, and believe me, my emotions feel it as such.  However, I knew this was coming, and I’m truly am excited for her.  It wouldn’t be right for me to hold her back for my benefit, and I always plan on pushing her to go out adventuring and exploring with or without me.

In the spirit of this blog about being a hipster dad, I bring this little experience up because of the paradox of parenting I’ve recently discovered for myself.  As cliché as it sounds, it’s something that has really hit home in my heart and is currently what I want to articulate.  To love someone regardless of your exact definition is a positive thing.  The act of it though, doesn’t always return such a joyous feeling.  Keira is the type of kid that I have to remind to give me a kiss before I leave her somewhere.  I get it, she’s excited about whatever it is that she will be doing, but it sometimes makes me feel unimportant in her life.  Of course, I know that’s not true.  But what’s going to be hard is sticking with my plan to love her correctly when she gets older and her actions become more defined and rebellious.  Those actions start out right now when she doesn’t say goodbye as I drop her off at preschool; soon it will be sleepovers – camp – articulated and well defended arguments – and then the first time she says “I hate you.” 

I have tattoos, I play the guitar, I rock at hide-and-seek, and I try to be fashionably philanthropic, but what I feel actually makes me a hip dad is my dedication to my daughter  and the unwavering discipline I expect of myself when I’m truly loving her.  Not loving her because she loves me in return, but really loving her so that she can succeed in her life and know deep in her heart that no matter what, I’ll always support her. 

-Jared Blake

Thursday Tunes #01 / Jay-Z & Kanye West "New Day"

Every thursday from now on I'm going to post a song that we've been jammin' around Hipster Dad Headquarters or that i just think you guys might like. For the first installment I bring you "NEW DAY" which appears on Kanye West / Jay-Z's collaboration album "WATCH THE THRONE". The song is a short one verse a piece song about how both rappers plan to raise their children. Really great tune about positive (future) dadism. 

WE WENT ON A DATE!!

Last night Lauren and I got to go out on a (very) rare date night! Although I love nothing more than listening to records and reading OLIVIA to Sierra every night, it's nice to escape the house and go out into the real world and be around adults once in awhile. We rented a ZipCar and along with our friend Ashleigh headed out to Great Scott which is a small rock club in Boston. One of our favorite musicians Tim Kasher was in town and we were all super excited to go out, have some drinks and check out some great music.


p.s.Thank you SO MUCH to our wonderful baby sitter Liz! (Follow her food blog here!)


In addition to the awesome line up, Tim decided to play his Cursive song titled "SIERRA"  which may or may not have had something to do with the naming of our child and which may or may not have been brought on by Lauren and I screaming "PLAY SIERRA! PLAY SIERRA!" from the side of the stage (yeah we were those people). Thanks to Ashleigh for whipping out the camera and getting it on video!

Hushabye Baby CD giveaway WINNER!!:

First off I want to thank everyone that entered via tweeting, commenting and following our blog! So I used a "Random Thing Picker" to choose a winner so it would be fair and our winner is... drum roll please... @ChrissyHFischer!!


Congratulations Chrissy! I will be e-mailing you with details so we can get the CD shipped out to you right away! Thanks a ton everyone and we look forward to doing more giveaways VERY soon :) -C

p.s. please take a second and give us a vote here: 

July Giveaway: A HUSHABYE BABY ALBUM!

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!! I'm sure you've all heard of Rockabye Baby by now, but did you know they also have a country music version? When i saw they had a lullaby Johnny Cash album I almost wet myself! The fine people over at CMH Label Group decided to send us the the album and we couldn't be more stoked on it. This Saturday after a long day at the beach with Sierra and some friends we jammed it out in the car and it was great. It's done really really well and features the same steel drum sound you're used to with Rockabye Baby but also pulls in some great bass plucking & guitar riffs reminiscent of the original Cash tunes. I found myself singing along and was really pumped to have some new kid friendly music for the car since Mama thinks Lil' Wayne isn't appropriate for baby ears. So enough blabbing about how much I love the album, let's get one into your hands for your little one's ears! Good luck!


GIVEAWAY DETAILS + HOW TO WIN:

• You can pick ANY hushabye baby cd, not just Johnny Cash
• Winner will be picked at random in two weeks: July 19th, 2011
• You must be a follower of The Hipster Dad to enter
• You can enter 3 ways:
• Leave a comment on here with your name, what album you want and why!
• Tweet: "Win a free CD from @TheHipsterDad and @Hushabyebaby! Enter here: http://goo.gl/o3AGa"
• Like The Hipster Dad on Facebook and leave a comment with your name, what album you want and why!

Contact Hushabye Baby:

• http://www.hushabyebabymusic.com
• http://www.facebook.com/hushabyebabymusic
• http://www.twitter.com/hushabyebaby

p.s. plz take a second to give us a vote on Top Baby Blogs <3

GUEST DAD: Tyson Stiles (Cleveland, OH)

I am Tyson Stiles, a 30 year old single, soon-to-be married, father of the hippest 4 year old boy ever, my son Trynter.  We are from the Cleveland, OH area, which basically means we spend most of our time indoors staying dry, shoveling snow, playing Batman and Robin, making music, and wrestling.  This is a little post about what it means to me to be a father.

Someone once told me that kids just want your time.  It’s really that simple; give your sons and daughters your time.  In our life that means dressing up for Halloween together, dive bombing off of my bed (no major injuries…yet), or maybe veg’ing out and playing some video games.  The activity itself doesn’t really matter; what matters is that we spend time with our children.    

Being a single father has had its rough moments and I do believe it’s helped in creating a huge bond between my son and I that may not have been as strong otherwise.  We’ve now spent many hours together over the past 3 years and that bond grows tighter and tighter every day.  Just recently I was finally able to bring Tryn with me to one of my band’s concerts (we played a youth retreat…he doesn’t go to the bars with me!) and we had a total blast.  It was such a special moment for me to look out in the crowd and see my son dancing with a glow stick waving above his head, rocking out to his dad’s tunes.  Want to know the best part though?  When we’re driving along, heading to wherever, I hear this four year old voice in the backseat of my car saying “Hey Dad?  Remember your concert where you played guitar and I was dancing?  That was super cool”.  My heart melts because I know (since I was a son once myself…) that specific memory is burned into his soul.  

Dads:  we are larger than life to our children.  Our sons and daughters will never have a bigger influence in their lives, no greater impression will ever be made, and no one could possibly replace you.  Continue to be there for your children, be the sidekick, be the punching bag, and be the largest person at the tea party.  Most importantly, continue to be there.

If you'd like to read more from Tyson please visit his blog "Live.Love.Appreciate". Tyson is also in the band The Hearts which rule, check em out!

GUEST DAD: Jorge Narvaez

Hi everybody! My name is Jorge Narvaez and this is my definition of family, not my quote though:


"The family. We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together" -Unknown

So yea, I'm the awesome young 24 year-old father Alexa and Eliana Narvaez and we absolutely LOVE music. So much, that we posted a video of us doing a cover and it went viral!!!. So now we have an awesome thing going on our YouTube channel. What!!!? You didnt know?? Oh OK i see i see. That's cool homie! I get it. :(........ NO im kidding so yea. There have been awesome episodes in our lives, but this one that occurred on YouTube has been the most awesome one. So far we have over 18.5 million views on our channel in less than 3 months and climbing.

Being a single father is not easy but its freaking awesome because we learn from each other as we go along everyday. Bond? Dude, the bond with my daughters is very powerful and I'm not exaggerating. We're very close and trust each other with everything we do. Music is like the glue that keeps us together and reminds us that being a family that broke apart is not the end, but just the beginning of a different but wonderful life. I hope you all take a look at our channel and become of our journey. Please enjoy this awesome bog about AWESOME DADS OUT THERE. Take care everybody and good luck with everything!!!!!!! -Jorge N.


p.s. if you haven't seen the video Jorge is talking about, you must be living under a rock - but here it is (prepare to die of cuteness)