#carlnard

For a few days now, I've had this feeling inside me that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Something that I had never really felt before in my 29 short years of living. Or at least, If I had felt it, I had never realized what that feeling was until just yesterday. For context purposes, I should provide some sort of meaning as to why this was such a, while small, life changing moment for me. For those that know me, also know my love for Nike. Seemingly always with a new or different pair of shoes on or out seeking some new piece of workout gear, usually all black. However, few really know why the brand and its apparel mean so much to me. As a kid growing up just south of Seattle in Washington state. Nike is everywhere. I mean, how could it not be, it's home HQ is just a few hours drive south into our neighboring state of Oregon. To this day, I still remember my first pair of Nike Basketball shoes. A pair of Gary Payton's "The Gloves" in all black. These were my 7th grade basketball shoes and I felt like a superstar when I wore them. Long story short, they ended up tied together and tossed around a telephone wire. So.. there's that. What I knew back then and still cherish to this day is to just how lucky I was to have them. You see, for a while, my father was a single dad with 3 kids and having the latest and greatest pair of shoes, just wasn't always in the cards. Even at such a young age when it seemed like kids only wanted to be your friend if you dressed well or had the "best" stuff. I never took for granted what my father could provide for me. In fact, I remember how upset I got that my dad wouldn't let me wear JNCO "Pipe Jeans" when everyone else was wearing them. Looking back, I should really thank him for that. To this very day, every time I buy a pair of shoes or a new piece of apparel. I always think about that one pair of Nikes, my father worked his ass off to be able to provide me when we didn't have a lot. For me Nike, is a privilege and a reward to myself for hard work. I grew up being in love with that brand and how much hard work went to be able to afford it. Though with that being said, this story or realization doesn't have anything to do with a pair of Nikes. On Friday night, a few friends and I went out to dinner at a "nice" restaurant in downtown Bogota. We were under dressed but we had an appetite and were ready to put a long week behind us and celebrate with a good meal. Right away, we ordered a bottle of wine along with a few appetizers. For my main course, I ordered a salmon and a side of vegetables. This was by all means, one of the more "fancier" meals I had enjoyed in a long time. We finished dinner and went on with our night. Fast forward to the next day. A friend and I decided to make an afternoon trip to hike up Monserrate which I've done four times prior already during my time here. The hike is only about a mile and a half and takes about 35 minutes if you can resist stopping every few hundred steps to turn around and take in the incredible views of the city behind you. Once you reach the top, there is a church that is actually holding service with their doors open, accepting of tourists and locals just alike. A strip of shop vendors line a path, while a few restaurants scatter throughout the area. You have three options to get back down. One is my train and a second by gondola lift. Third being, walking back down. We typically opt of the train down. When you arrive at Monserrate, on street level just before you begin your hike. You see a row of vendors serving everything from water, gatorade, street food and fresh fruit. On the four trips prior to yesterdays trip, we have always finished the trip by purchasing a single cup of orange juice. Not just any regular cup of orange juice either. This is fresh squeezed right before you. Made on demand. And until yesterday, while I had always enjoyed the juice. Never had really taken notice of just how much hard work goes in to just that one cup. There are maybe 5 or 6 vendors at the base of Monserrate and all for the most part sell the same things, including the fresh squeezed OJ. The first time I hiked Monserrate, we got there around 5:30am. These vendors were already there. Ready and waiting for the early birds and another round of tourists looking to take in the day. On this most recent trip, there was only two of us. I took a chance and scooted to the rear of this booth to get a better idea of just what the process entailed. One lady, surrounded by a pile of oranges, cutting and squeezing each and every one by herself. No fancy machine or blender. Just a knife and a few pieces of tupperware. Two 12oz cups of OJ must have taken about 13-15 oranges. It was in that moment, I realized that the entire drive there, the hike up, the accent down. I was really only wanting one thing. That fresh squeezed cup of orange juice. It meant more to me than the "fancy" dinner the night before. I saw what it took to make that one cup. This lady (name unknown) gets there before anyone else and doesn't leave until the last hiker leaves. She cuts and cuts, presses and squeezes all day. She could probably get by with just selling bottled orange juice but how boring would that be for us. Not until I stepped back to watch her that I realized that more so than ever in my life. I am finding that I enjoy the simple things more and more. However, this is not a moment of guilt for enjoying the nice dinners or the nike apparel. It is me simply realizing that while those things are nice. Nothing really beats the simple things. Because even behind just a "simple" cup of orange juice, there is someone working hard to provide that for you and provide for themselves. Someone working hard to maybe provide that something that means so much to someone else. 

-CM, 150215.

Right away, I am going to admit that this year—while maybe not my favorite of years in music—was definitely a year that I needed music the most. 2014 was a year that tested me more than any year in recent history. I went through so many challenges in my personal and professional lives and when there seemed to be no right answer for anything, there was always music. Having another year of new music for new adventures in my life is always something I look forward to. You take any moment specifically or stretch of time from this past year and I could probably tell you who I was listening to. What song I was listening to or how, even an old song came back in to light this year to mean more than it ever did before. I loved the way I looked at music this year. I found peace in it. It spoke for me. It kept me going on cold morning runs with friends. With that being said, picking a top 5 would have been easier if the bands who released some of the best music this year actually released full-length albums. Artists like Majid Jordan, Ben Khan, Lovelife, Broods, and—without hesitation—LANY—who by far is my most anticipated artist to watch in 2015. With a key tip-off to them by my friend Danny, I was incredibly lucky to get a head start on what is surely going to be a long list of listeners sooner or later for this group. That said, 1-2 were no-brainers for me this year. Though, when it came to picking 3-5, I really had to think about who I reached back to the most over the course of the year. For what will be my third “Best Of" list, I must remind you that these may not always be the "best" albums of 2014. Simply, my favorite albums of 2014. So that said, I'll get right to it.

5. Jon Bellion - "The Definition" - This album was sort of one that reminds me what I love about music. Like most of the records on this list, it came out in the second half of the year. However, what is so special about this record is that it was free. I don't just mean given to me for free, but it was released for free via Bellion's website. There is something really refreshing about that. As Spotify and Pandora giving people the access to listen to music "for free,” it is not always truly free. I have always been one who wants to own the music I buy or download. I want it on my iPod ready to be listened to on demand with or without service. A little background on Jon is that he wrote the chorus to "Monster" by Eminem f/ Rihanna and also co-wrote/produced "Trumpets" by Jason Derulo. A few things to note about this record: first, you get the impression that Jon is still figuring out who he is and for me that is always special to be a part of. Witnessing someone come of age over music is rarely ever heard from a musician like Bellion. Secondly,he is still young and his all-over-the-map list of musical influences shines bright throughout all 40 minutes and spread across 11 tracks. If I had to pick a stand out track on this album, I'd be hard up to do so. Not saying that there is none—but that this record has so many different emotions and levels. That said, I'd suggest "Simple & Sweet" as a way to introduce yourself to his music. This song comes in at just under 3 minutes and takes almost 2 minutes to really kick off. However, the extended build-up and descriptive lyrics to match gave me so much motivation on so many runs. If you have ever had one of those runs when you just need that extra push, this is a song for you. Place it in the middle of your playlist and let your emotions flow when it hits at 1:55. I promise, you'll run just a bit faster and be overwhelmed by a smile that reminds you just how strong you are.

4. PVRIS - "White Noise" - This album is the latest release of 2014 (Oct 31st) on this list and quite honestly, a record that probably would have been number one, if I’d had more time with it. The first minute of this record had me hooked right away. Lyndsey Gunnulfsen, the frontwoman for Pvris (pronounced: Paris) sets the tone right away with "This is violence, this is just a war in my head" followed by an effortless rhythm of vocals and drums. For anyone familiar with Rise Records, you may be surprised—as I was—to see them on this label. Not just because they are the only female-fronted band on the label, but more so for the fact that they are the most versatile. For fans of pop-punk darlings Paramore, "Holy" will fit seamlessly in to your Spotify playlists. Need a little edge in your mix? "Fire" is the track for you. For me, "Mirrors" gives me everything I want from them. Put this song on any time of year, any time of day—it feels the same. High-energy without being too uptempo. The tempo has a touch of hip-hop, whether intentional or not. I just love the rhythm to this track. A perfect song to kick off your morning commute with or the song you put on at the end of the day to reenergize you. I just found myself always scrolling back in the playlist to put this song on. It’s one that will surely make its way into my summer night bike rides next summer. Again, I wish I would have had this album for more of 2014—but I’ll admit that more so than any other record on this list, "White Noise" will carry over into 2015 and still compete for my attention even into the summer.

3. PARTYNEXTDOOR - "PARTYNEXTDOOR TWO" - Picking up where he left off last summer with his first release, PND put in another perfect shift on his second release. I have long said that music sounds better at night and for the last year and a half, PARTYNEXTDOOR has for the most part owned summer nights on my iPod. The album starts off with “East Liberty,” which, whether intentional or not, was the perfect song to help transition this record from a late summer release to an early fall favorite for me. Much is said about the order in which tracks are organized on a record, and he’s done so perfectly again on his latest release. The obvious standout for most would be the Drake-assisted "Recognize,” and by all accounts, it’s sure to be a hit for most. For a long time, I had the worst attention span when it came to music—after a minute, if I was feeling it, I’d move along. Luckily, I got past that phase in my life. Though, I made that mistake for about a week after this record was released. With "Sex on the Beach" it just took me a few listens to let it play out and when I finally did, I wondered why I ever skipped ahead. One of my favorite tracks of all time is "Don't Disturb This Groove" by The System. Though that song is older than me, I resort back to it because it gives me the same feeling as "Beach" does. But this is a song that comes from my generation of music. A song that in 20 years, I can reach back to and say, “now this is a classic." Of course, I get that it may be early to admit this is a classic but music is personal—we all consume it differently—and it plays out differently in each of our lives. For me, this track just has longevity. Plus, the subtle interlude halfway through doesn't hurt. 

2. BANKS - "Goddess" - What can I say about BANKS really? If you do not know her music, where have you been all year? Where were you last year? Up front, I'll say that I was put on to her after a co-sign from The Weeknd. When I saw she was going to be his opening act on his summer tour last year, I jumped straight to iTunes to familiarize myself wit this mystery girl. Right away, she had me hooked. The mystery, the emotion, the honesty. Who was this girl? After over a year of teasing singles and remixes, Banks released her debut album "Goddess" in September. I was lucky enough to see her perform in DC just a short time before her album was released and then again immediately following. The wait was well worth it. On her first stop in DC, she unleashed her confidence on the album’s title track "Goddess" and gave an awesome performance of an early favorite "Beggin for Thread." I could honestly go on and on about every single track on this record and what I means for me. I'll let you make up your own decision. But I'd suggest starting with "Drowning" to get you hooked. This song for me shows for me a perfect blend of her emotions from dealing with heartache—admitting she knows she's been hurt and how his words caused her pain but in perfectly worded lines of defiance she confronts that better will come for her. Aside from its lyrical power, it was a standout part of both her live shows. Banks, by all accounts may have just arrived but she surely will not be going away anytime soon. 

1. Lo-Fang "Blue Film" - If on January 1st of this year you told me I'd be blown away by a classically trained musician on more instruments than you or I could ever learn—or by a guy who covers a Grease show tune “You're The One That I Want” (let alone by a guy who does it in a Chanel ad)—I'd have been really excited to know who you were talking about. Enter Lo-Fang - The DC native who was taken out on the road last year by 2013 breakthrough artist, Lorde. Lo-Fang (real name: Matthew Hemerlein) debuted with an outstanding lineup that showcases his classical musical talents, no doubt. But the standout for me on this record was how he blends that so well with touches of R&B, pop, and even folk. Nothing comes out wrong on this album. At first listen, my absolute favorite thing about his music—the lyrical content—almost goes unnoticed. This is a record that could be stripped of all vocals and still shine. Rarely does a record come along that could serve just as well as the score to a film as it can be used for background music at a coffee shop. You hit start on this record, and you hardly notice that 43 minutes have passed by the time it ends. Start off with "#88" and finish with "When We're Fire”—or anything else for that matter. This was one first records of 2014 to grab my attention and it hasn't let go. What makes this all even better is, just for good measure, Lo-Fang released a stellar EP in October and sweetened the deal by releasing an extended version for free on his website. I was lucky enough to see him perform twice this year and I only hope to see him more and more. His music is unlike anything else and "Blue Film" is truly a treat—for me, the best record of 2014.