This design was inspired by The National, Nashville, and as always, simplicité.
April 2018 Playlist
Last month I featured Nathaniel Rateliff's "Early Spring Till" and described it as "only appropriate and one satisfying slow-burner." Welp, it's still cold here in Chicago (it's supposed to snow today), but this month's curation is closer to warmth, guys. And I placed Kacey Musgraves' own "Slow Burn" as my opener for this April playlist to prove it.
Kacey Musgraves. I recently listened to her new album Golden Hour (all the way through) because her song "Space Cowboy" was surprising and catchy. Friends, this album emulates what I love so much about country music–the storytelling. And more than that, it is a dazzling record. Kacey's ability to speak to life's normalcy and the beauty found – the transcendent and in between – makes you just want to sigh with her.
In Tennessee, the sun's goin' down
But in Beijing, they're heading out to work
You know the bar down the street don't close for an hour
We should take a walk and look at all the flowers
I've included Hundred Waters' song "Blanket Me" in the past, but it deserves another feature because her Spotify Single rendition brings the song to another level and really honors her musicianship.
Langhorne Slim's lyrics in "Never Break" are both convicting and beautiful.
Let's fall in love with our telephones off
Love's my president, my lord, and my boss
And you'll never break me
I close with Kacey, too. "Oh, What A World" is a swirling love song, and it just feels right. Hopeful. Content.
Honestly, this playlist was Nashville-inspired. And most of it was created before my husband, some friends, and I road-tripped down to the Music City for our friends' wedding about a week ago. I really enjoyed my first visit, so I'm including a little city guide.
Shout-outs to these nashville faves (a.k.a. Food, Flowers, Friends & libations):
Import Flowers Nashville - I ordered our friends' reception flowers here, and I was able to visit this great shop on my last day in town. My flower love has only been amplified.
Five Daughters Bakery - The Purist may be my favorite donut. It's in writing.
Hatch Show Print - I've been a long-time fan. One of my friends gifted me a book of their prints when I graduated Art and Design school in 2010. So it was a real treat to see the creative home and hub in person.
Butchertown Hall - the ambience was really beautiful here. And a big thumbs up to their spicy Kale-Brussels salad. We got the corner booth, too. ;)
Urban Cowboy - this was one of our first stops, and our group was smitten with it. We sipped our first Nashville craft cocktails by an outdoor fire beneath a drizzling sky.
Pinewood Social - We went for an afternoon drink, and I chose the Quello's Revenge cocktail, which included Irish Whiskey, Lemon, Maurin Quina, Egg White, and Cinnamon. Not only was it a carefully crafted libation, the mixologist gave me a small carafe with the extra! Who does that? Nashville does. It was my fave drink all weekend long.
Barista Parlor - a quality pour-over, nautical inspo, classic motorcycles, snake plants in wall planters, hot biscuit and egg sandwiches, and Leon Bridges spinning on the record player is what I remember most.
Cafe Roze - I do choose places for their interiors, and this modern and rose-inspired spot didn't disappoint. Go with the Roze latté and the Egg Bowl.
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery - this $11 tour on a Sunday afternoon was one of our favorite experiences. Their liqueur tribute to Green Brier's pioneering founder's amazing wife and business woman Louisa Nelson is a new fave.
The Patterson House - Seven of us sat in another corner booth for hours sharing highs and lows from the weekend in this ambient craft cocktail bar. And our awesome waiter generously enlightened us on spirits from around the world.
Our time in Nashville was so rich. It treated us well, wonderful memories were made, and I'm glad I have this list to remember it by.
May a song or two resonate with you this Spring.
Cheers,
Rachel