Somehow, somewhere out of the blue, I got this yearning to listen to Bonnie #Raitt. Now I confess, the big music lover I am, I don’t own any of Bonnie’s music. But, for some reason, I specifically wanted to hear “Have A Heart” and I stumbled upon this dreamy/breezy version which I just adore. A couple hours later, I was listening to all sorts of Bonnie Raitt tracks and realized how much I really like her music, her voice and most of all - her sass. Enjoy! xo haven

My new obsession St. Vincent - check out this awesome cover she does of their punkness “The Pop Group” (please forgive the scary Jimmy Fallon still).

#Foo Fighters & Joan Jett “Bad Reputation” Madison Square Gardens, NYC. How frickin awesome is this performance! Damn, I so wish I was there. I can feel their energy coming through my screen. I was so bummed to have missed the Foo’s here in L.A. as I was wanderlusting through Europe. I love me some Dave Grohl spunk, check out the part when he rocks the guitar hard with Joan, they just go off. I swear I was someone like Joan - ballsy, talented musician gal- in a previous life ; )

Today’s “Haven’s Happenstance: Songs With A Message Series” #song, “Fix You” by #Coldplay. Every now and then rock bands create a gorgeous ballad that withstands the test of time, very few go on to be timeless classics, and when they do, it’s like magic felt over and over. The 80’s was filled with these little rock gems that came to be known as “power ballads” - what with White Lion’s “When The Children Cry,” Sheriff’s “When I’m With You,” countless Journey songs and even Skid Row’s “I Remember You.” “Fix You” is like an ode to a friend who is down in the dumps - for years I tried to lift someone who simply could not, at least not until he really tried and made an effort and he’s starting to do so now. Still, this song reminds me of that time and I look back regardless of all, fondly. Doing my best to hang in there this week, hugs - Haven

Pearl Jam “Yellow Ledbetter.” One of the most beautiful melodies and great guitar solos.  Though Eddie changes the lyrics it seems with every performance, it is nonetheless so touching and heartfelt - clearly about loss if nothing else. I’m a sucker for all those 90’s alt rock bands.

Today’s “Haven’s Happenstance song: The Women Series,” #bcaware -The Sounds “Rock and Roll.” Straight out of Sweden this is one of my favorite ‘indie’ female fronted bands. Definitely inspired by the likes of #Blondie - the ultimate bad-ass band with a female lead, and the first to rap in a mainstream song that became a hit. Love it. Back to The Sounds: they’ve been compared to the Tings Tings as well, but I like The Sounds best because they’re consistently catchy and more rock, in your face. Yeah. So many great songs off of Dying To Say This To You (2006) - like “Night After Night,” “Much Too Long ” and “Painted By Numbers.”  And they just released a new album Something To Die For earlier this year.

Today’s “Haven’s Happenstance” #song - “The Party Series” “Stop” by Jane’s Addiction. This is one of my fav songs to get ready for a night out, makes me wanna jump up & down.

Starting to realize that my series of party songs has an undertone of rebellion and doing what you want, when you want. It started with Ozzie’s Crazy Train, AWK’s Party Hard and this awesome one by Jane’s Addiction - who, by the way, have a new album coming out in October. And I can’t wait. So far the singles they’ve released are just as energetic and upbeat rock as what we’ve come to expect from these 90’s rockers.

Art via hauckandrock - and what better image for a rock party song than a sexy series of high heels ; )

Cool lyrics too, check it out:

“Save the complaints
For a party conversation.
The world is loaded,
It’s lit to pop and nobody is gonna stop…

No one…
No one!
No way!
Gonna stop,
Now; go!

Farm people,
Book wavers, soul savers,
Love preachers!
Lit to pop and nobody is gonna stop.

No one…

One come a day, the water will run,
No man will stand for things that he had done…
Hurrah!”

Sitting on the plane to London ready to kick off this European adventure. I’ll be starting a new Haven’s Happenstance Song Series soon all about party songs to mark my vacation. But for now let’s kick it off with my favorite rocker of all time: The Prince of Darkness himself, Mr. Ozzy Osbourne, what better song for the occasion than ‘Crazy Train.’ BTW I’m posting this via iPhone, let’s hope it works and the formatting doesn’t get all wonky. xoxo - haven

“The Music That’s Makin Me Feel Good Right Now Series” continues at HavenStory with #Arcade Fire’s “The Sprawl II.” This song is beautiful on so many levels - exceptional lyrics and a gorgeous feel-good melody. Enjoy.

“They heard me singing and they told me to stop
Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock
These days my life, I feel it has no purpose
But late at night the feelings swim to the surface

‘Cause on the surface the city lights shine
They’re calling at me, come and find your kind
Sometimes I wonder if the world’s so small
That we can never get away from the sprawl

Living in the sprawl
Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains
And there’s no end in sight
I need the darkness, someone please cut the lights

We rode our bikes to the nearest park
Sat under the swings and kissed in the dark
We shield our eyes from the police lights
We run away, but we don’t know why

And like a mirror, the city lights shine
They’re screaming at us, “We don’t need your kind”
Sometimes I wonder if the world’s so small
That we can never get away from the sprawl

Living in the sprawl
Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains
And there’s no end in sight
I need the darkness, someone please cut the lights”

Today’s “Haven’s Happenstance” #song - “The Music That’s Makin Me Feel Good Right Now Series” “Ready To Start” by #Arcade Fire. You know how I told ya that I drive around Mulholland and blast my music… well this is one of those I blast there and just about everywhere I can. I doubt the lyrics are about love, but it’s about a relationship- romantic or not. And for me there are some words in here that are just so empowering. I love these guys. It was hard to pick just one song from their indie smash album, The Suburbs, will post another one shortly.

Art via renklerinsavasi reblogged from coldworldkid- I chose this image because it reminds me of a fresh start, an open road to endless possibilities, and as I’m on a journey to self re-discovery, it spoke volumes to me. Hope you like.

“If the businessmen drink my blood
Like the kids in art school said they would
Then I guess I’ll just begin again
You say, “can we still be friends?”

If I was scared… I would
And if I was bored… you know I would
And if I was yours… but I’m not

Now you’re knocking at my door
Saying please come out with us tonight
But I would rather be alone
Than pretend I feel alright

Now I’m ready to start
I would rather be wrong
Than live in the shadows of your song
My mind is open wide
And now I’m ready to start

Now I’m ready to start
My mind is open wide
And now I’m ready to start
And I’m sure you opened the door
To step out into the dark

Now I’m ready”

“Haven’s Happenstance: The Music That’s Makin Me Feel Good Right Now” song series: Because music has the power to change our mood, lift our spirit and even inspire us, I’m dedicating this song series to the music that’s making me feel good right now, and which does just all those things for me. Some new, some indie, some classics - but one thing’s certain, you will feel good listening to these.

Today’s “Haven’s Happenstance” #song - “The Departing Series:” “In The New Year” by The #Walkmen. Art via niiaito.tumblr.com

As “The Departing Series” comes to an end, let’s finish it how it started: with the unique and heartfelt sounds of The Walkmen. I began my year with this song, January 1st with my coffee and slippers, blasting it super loud. A song about looking forward; knowing what you left behind and braving through- as friends and loved ones asked, and your cluttered self just felt a mess…

“Oh I’m still living
at the old address
and I’m waiting on the weather
that i know will pass

I know that its true
it’s gonna be a good year
outta the darkness
and into the fire

I tell you I love you
and my heart’s in the strangest place
that’s how it started
and that’s how it ends

and I know you’re with me
It’s a point of pride
and it’s louder than lightning
in this room of mine

Oh I’m just like you
I never hear the bad news
and I never will
We won by a landslide

Our troubles are over
my sisters are married
to all my friends
yeah, that’s how it started

you took your sweet time
and I waited by without complaint
till all the pipe dreams
made me insane

So it’s all over
it’s all over anyhow
you took your sweet time
finally I opened my eyes

My friends and my family
They all ask me one thing
how long will you ramble?
how long will you still stay with me?

The snow is still falling
and I’m almost home
I’ll see you in the new year”

“Haven’s Happenstance: The Departing Series:” This week I continue my exploration of all facets of love and relationships, and am dedicating it to departing, breaking-up, the moments when we realize it’s best we go our separate ways- for good, forever, be gone.