Take a whiff of the air kids, summer is almost here!
To celebrate the return of the warmth, I have been making some more fun playlists to occupy my drab and unfulfilled life.
How’s it going? So many playlists.
Let’s kick off some fun though with some June Tunes to help you get your groove on.
Unlike past posts on this topic, I actually have some older songs on here as well.
Sure, I like to hit ya with the new stuff, but it’s also nice to have some old gold to power through.
So let’s kick it off shall we?
Yard Sale-Ben Harper ft Jack Johnson
90s’ Indie kids regale, as some of the biggest hacky sack musicians have come together for a new track called ‘Yard Sale.’
The fact that these two musicians are some of the coolest guys on the planet, and both top choices for ‘artist to play acoustic guitar at a beach party.’
The track is as smooth and cool as both of them, and I really like this stripped-down video which features the two of them in a kitchen.
East Coast Canadians will know just how important that kitchen party vibe really is.
Never Learned to Dance-Medium Build
Medium Build is one of those bands who came out of nowhere, literally.
Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, the band only came together in 2018, after lead singer Nick Carpenter moved back there after some life changes.
Medium Build has a discernably raw, and lo-fi feel to the music which is powered by a lyric-heavy journey of discovery.
Have a listen to this song, and you’ll find yourself wanting to listen to more of their tunes asap.
Be Yourself-Wilder Woods
With a more stripped back country-indie feel, Wilder Woods is the alternative name of musician Bear Rinehart. Bear actually named himself after his sons ‘Wilder’ and ‘Woods’, in a true hippie testament to a fantastic musician.
I hadn’t really heard of Wilder Woods prior to catching this song, but it allowed me to do a bit of a deeper dive on Bear, and some of the more acoustic sets he has delivered.
Worth looking him up on YouTube and checking out some of his great songs.
Summer of Love-Portugal the Man ft Unknown Mortal Orchestra
It’s another big-ass band from Alaska, although this one goes by the name Portugal the Man.
Laying down some amazing tracks over the past few years with cool, and new contributors, has been something PtM has been killing.
Adding the psychedelic rock sounds of Unknown Mortal Orchestra on this track just makes it even more beautiful, and needing t be on your summer 2023 playlist.
On the Boat Again-Jake Owen
Country singer Jake Owen has his detractors.
A frat boy like country singer, with a twin brother, a love of golf, and stirring it up, Owen has had his share of issues.
One would think I would have an issue with Jake Owen covering a Willie Nelson classic ‘On the Road Again’, but I definitely don’t.
This song is fun, light-hearted and toe-tapper to get your country heart swooning for a lap of the lake.
Goodbye’s Kicking In-Brothers Osborne
Brothers Osborne have been kicking it for a while on the country scene, with their 2015 hit ‘Stay a Little Longer’ one of those country mainstays you hear at a southern wedding.
The Brothers Osborne are also good for another source of June inspiration, thanks to the bold efforts of lead singer TJ, who publicly came out in 2021. A pretty dang hard thing to do in country music.
The song ‘Younger Me’ details TJ’s struggles to come out later in life.
Have a listen to their new track here.
When it Comes to You-Sturgill Simpson
When you first hear Sturgill’s voice, you could easily mistake him for a country singer from a long time ago.
In fact after hearing this song, then seeing this cover art, I was sure that this song was from the 70s’ or even earlier.
What a great surprise to find out that not only is Sturgill contemporary, but also younger than I am.
This song has been on patio play all week long, off a tribute album to country great John Anderson.
Enjoy it!
That’s it for the tunes this week, make sure that you follow along on my Spotify at DJWade!