Oh Paulo!

And Paulo is not a family member nor a friend but he is someone who is dear to me.  And no, I don't mean my pet dog.  Paulo is for a man I greatly idolize.  Paulo is for the man who never fail to awe me with his work and wisdom.  Paulo is for the master storyteller and my favorite author. Paulo is for my hero, Paulo Coelho.

But this is not a sentimental blog but it is a celebration of the works of Paulo Coelho, which I have been reading for four years now.  And currently, I do own ten of his works, although I've read eleven already (I do not own a copy of his so-called greatest work, The Alchemist), and each of his works is a compelling tale of life, spirituality, and magic.

Paulo Coelho. Photo taken from  http://www.guardian.co.uk

What made me an avid Coeho reader is that his stories touch on human nature and spirituality.  His books talk about different aspects of being a person such as following your dreams, love, and even the very nature of a person --- whether we are essentially good or naturally  evil.  The wisdom Coelho pins in his every story is coupled with his giftedness in crafting stories so riveting, heartwarming, and thought-provoking.

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Colorfully Rockin' the Boho Look

Sometime in July this year, our school's student government held a bohemian-themed acquaintance party.  And even though I love the boho look for being so eccentric that in a few tweeks, it could be so fashion forward, I was never thrilled with the announcements.  Bohol is never a fashion capital and never were there any Bohemian babe and dude you see around.  Everyone might have heard of Boho but only a few knows what the real Boho is.

So what really is the Boho look?  Accordingly, the boho look is a way of dressing that is inspired by European gypsies and the hippies.  The look imbibes a nomadic, free-spirited feel.  As for me, the boho chic look is a play of colors and details.  It is, observably, more of bright colors or striking details, although it doesn't usually follow all the time.  It usually touches on cultures and ethnicities as most bohemian looks are based, aside from the gypsies, on African, Macedonian, Native American, and Moroccan look. 

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Colorfully Rockin' with Indie

The mainstream music industry could sometimes make my ears bleed.  Although I love listening to Lady Gaga and Katy Perry or ogling to Adam Levine's divine hotness or singing along (or should I say rapping along) to Nicki Minaj while wondering of the circumference of her bum, sometimes, the popular could be so sickening.  I cannot even resort to the Kpop music scene although it could be a cuter alternative; it's just shared by many.  Sometimes, I would just want to take a break from all things everybody knows about.

Great thing, months ago, one video took me to the better side of Youtube (thanks to Veda Bongalos for this one).  Although at first, I didn't really got hooked, the search for interesting acts made me so in love with the indie music scene.  And yes, I'm pledging my loyalty to it.  Not only are the indie artists music industry's precious secret, the entire indie music scene is no-crap at all.  Each song has depth and a story unlike mainstream which has songs about seeing peacocks and tralalas and ding ding dongs.  Plus, each band has their own sound.  No one will sound like the other.

I might have said that indie bands are music's secrets but I think these bands deserve some attention, too (although they are making great waves already).  So let's colorfully rock as I share three of the indie bands I listen to.  And yes, at times, their songs are on the loop.

1. The Honey Trees

Photo taken from The Honey Trees official fanpage.

The first band to actually get me hooked to indie, The Honey Trees is a dream pop band from Sacramento, California.  The band, a two-man act, is composed of Becky Filip and Jacob Wick (and you hear me scream! AHHHH!!!!)  The dreamy approach of the band on their songs is what draws me to them, something which I rarely hear in the mainstream industry.  In fact, it is through The Honey Trees that I found out that there exist dream pop.  The band's photographs and music video, which is taken by Simon Filip, Becky's brother, are astonishing and cute. Just check the above photo and the music video of the song To Be With You.  And oh, there is Becky's über-cute dresses and impecable style.  And yes, Jacob Wick!

Recommended songs:  their original titled Love and Loss and their cover of the Moon River.  Both songs are to die for! Like seriously.

2. The Perishers

Photo taken from the blog caffeine-headache

If you are a fan of the OC, then you might have heard their songs playing on some of the show's episodes.  But in case you are not a fan of the OC, or you haven't even seen the OC (like me), it's never too late to fall for this Swedish indie rock band.  The Perishers is a band composed of Ola Klüft (vocals, guitar), Martin Gustafson (keyboards, backing vocals), Pehr  Aström (bass) and Thomas Hedlund (drums).  What I love about this band is that their songs explore the depths of a man honestly and faithfully in love.  Their songs are pieces that every girl would love to hear and every boy would like to sing to their girl.  

Try listening to Sway, a song that about how a boy wants to be just friends with a girl he loves and who picks him up whenever he crumbles just because he doesn't want to hurt her anymore. Meanwhile, 8 AM Departure talks about the feeling of never leaving someone but you have to whereas Nothing Like You and I, my personal favorite, is a narrative of a couple whose relationship is about to end.


3. The Paper Kites

Photo taken from The Paper Kites Official Fanpage

The Paper Kites' specialized genre is folk.  And if you think that folk is so-not-awesome, then you better check out their songs.  This band from Melbourne, Australia and is comprised of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, Dave Powys, Sam Rasmussen, and Josh Bentley, offers folk music that is so awesome you'll never think it is folk.  Like seriously!  If you would really want a chill out background on lazy days, The Paper Kites is the best option.  Their songs are very much relaxing and very much enjoyable.  Their music videos are very cool too.

Arms, one of my favorite indie songs, will certainly make your heart jump with it's melodramatic music and heartwarming lyrics.  The first time I heart the song, well, I just died.  Also try Featherstone and The Mortal Boy King.  Their songs will undeniably make you feel relaxed, certainly a great respite from ear-splitting pop music.

These three bands are the very bands that made me join the "I Love Indie" bandwagon.  But if we don't share the same taste on music, you could simply look for a band that will suit your taste.  That is certainly the beauty of indie --- it has everything for everyone.  Whether you are a romantic, a goth, or a hippie,  you wouldn't resist the greatness of these unknown industry.

Indie rocks! Indie make me rock! \m/

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