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Jen A. Miller Consulting

Tag: music

  • Five Superbly Single Artists to Watch at Coachella

    Colleen Viana downloads us on five acts you need to see at Coachella 2014

    coachella 2014
    PHOTO: Colleen Viana.

    Coachella’s in the air. I can feel it, I can smell it. (Yes, there’s a distinct scent that I can’t quite describe, but it’s similar to how you can smell the sugar-coated air in Disneyland). Even if we are over 2,000 miles away from Indio, everyone’s caught festival fever, myself included. The overall atmosphere is shifting here in Manhattan; with the weather slowly reaching the perfect spring (ideally April 25th) temperature and the sun shining brighter than usual, everyone is noticeably happier. It’s that preeminent shift from winter to spring that sends me and so many other New Yorkers into a constant daydream of being outside—frolicking the festival grounds, being surrounded by our best friends and favorite bands. There is nothing more exciting to wait for (other than Christmas).

    In high anticipation of those first weeks of April to finally hit, I’ve been prepping myself for the past month on the festival’s entire line-up. Coachella is a great opportunity to discover musical artists you would never think to see otherwise and, of course, a chance to see your current obsessions perform in front of the perfect desert backdrop. Narrowing down your top picks for the weekend is a grueling process; after perusing my overly-extensive Coachella playlist, the process has become even more stressful than necessary—especially knowing that I most likely will not make it to half of the acts I’d love to see.

    So this year I’m trying something different… Here are five of my favorite up-and-coming-non-top-40 artists (hey, I work in radio, I hear enough of that) that I simply cannot miss, with a fun Single Diaries spin. The result is my shortlist of Superbly Single female artists whom you MUST see at Coachella… no question about it (unless they’re scheduled at the same time, in which case we’ll just have to flip a coin).

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  • The Single Diaries Guide to Coachella Prep

    The Single Diaries Guide to Coachella Prep

    The Single Diaries’ list of essentials and top tips for Coachella newbies (and experts who want to brush-up)

    Coachella prep
    PHOTO: Courtney Mitchell.

    In just a couple weeks I will head to Indio with thousands of the wristband-clad from all walks of life for my very first Coachella experience. I’m lucky I’ll have uber veteran Colleen by my side to show me the ropes, but if this is your first time as well don’t fret… The Single Diaries has your back. I chatted with my girlfriends who’ve frolicked Coachella Valley more than a few times and gathered top tips (including ways to save money) and an essentials packing list to help you plan your weekend more efficiently. If you’re camping, we have a special must-read section just for you. With our Coachella prep guide, there won’t be nobody dope as you… You’ll be just as fresh as the veterans dancing without a care in the Sahara Tent.

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  • Let’s Get Physical: What to Wear To Your Workout

    Let’s Get Physical: What to Wear To Your Workout

    Rock these threads to your favorite workout and blast these tunes to keep sweating

    Favorite Workout 1
    PHOTO: Move Nourish Believe.

    We’re officially halfway through January. How are you doing in your goal to live a healthier lifestyle? We all know how motivational it is to wear clothes that look great, so if you’re looking for that extra push you can stop here. Use these looks inspired by your favorite fitness classes to revive your workout wardrobe and get you excited to run out the door. Plus a refreshing playlist to get your heart beating and your blood flowing!
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  • How Big Is Your Brave

    How Sara Bareilles helped Catherine become fierce and fearless

    PHOTO: InSapphoWeTrust
    PHOTO: InSapphoWeTrust

    Last month my friend and I saw Sara Bareilles at the Greek. I have been a huge fan since I saw Sara play at a college music festival in 2009. We all know her #1 hit “Love Song,” but this woman is so much more than that catchy albeit empowering pop song. She is at home on stage in more ways than one. Firstly, her voice is completely powerful, and live it’s a religious experience… until she drops her first F-bomb then a dozen subsequent ones. That leads me to my second point: she connects to her audience. Someone yells out “I love you, Sara,” and she’ll call it out right back. The stage is her couch, and the venue is her living room; everyone feels at home as she tells you about the experiences that informed the song she is about to play.

    Before she played “Manhattan” on that September night, she discussed her decision to leave Los Angeles—her home of fourteen years—to make the cross-country move to New York City: a need for change, a bittersweet good-bye, and the knowledge that this chapter of her life was coming to an end. She hints at a break-up, perhaps because she was back at the scene of the crime. The lyrics were chillingly beautiful. Written from the perspective of her ex, the one who’s left behind, you get a sense of the pain felt from both parties.

    At the show at the Greek, she dropped the veil of detachment that she sometimes puts up while discussing her journey in making the new album. Perhaps it had to do with coming back to L.A. after moving. Perhaps it had to do with playing the iconic stage. Regardless, she showed raw emotion that struck a chord with me.

    It was during this song that my eyes started to well up with tears. It was during this song when I had a moment of clarity accepting that all the tension I had felt in the months prior was for naught. After a stressful day, I’ll drive home from work to my quiet apartment trying to breathe deeply and think about anything else. It finally occurred to me that what was missing from my day was the ease of surrounding family and a feeling of home.
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  • Healing Through Vinyasa

    Recovering from a break-up and feeling lost, yoga—which had always made her feel alive and free—was the answer for one “single” girl.

    abb2df5ab2bb09565e9a92e3146fe316
    PHOTO: Samatone Yoga.

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    The Break Up

    Last summer I needed something to help me become me again. I had just ended a relationship with the guy who was everything I wanted, and I felt empty. I walked into the studio sad and lonely, and mad at myself for being sad and lonely. It was a broken relationship, but I felt responsible…

    “When did it break?” “Why did he break it?” “Was I the reason it broke?”

    I came to realize that getting over the brokenness was the easy part; healing myself was much harder. Doing yoga during that time was the only thing I had to get me focused on what was important: looking inward.
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