Sorry, kids, I haven’t been very generous lately. I’m a bit preoccupied with things and yes, I’ve just (not really just, try two weeks) come back from my VN/CAM 5-day-trip which is, mind-blowingly awesome — so awesome, that I’m seriously considering moving to Saigon. I mean, are you kidding me? Coffee shops, vendors selling books on the streets and the European-esque feel? The place is screaming, “Stay with me!”
Anyway, I wasn’t able to prepare for a playlist at the time, and we’ve endured MTV China’s playlist (which is basically composed of Nicki Minaj’s “Starships”, Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been”, and One Direction’s “One Thing”) the whole time. Thankfully, I had these guys to accompany me during the trip, too, as I have been listening to them weeks before the trip.
Walk The Moon
Ohio, USA
Walk the Moon’s Anna Sun EP is a treat – but the band’s also recently released their album and performed on Letterman. Ooooh, someone’s going to get famous!
Good Old War
Philadelphia, PA, USA
So let’s see: three bearded boys with a folksy sound, strumming guitars and harmonizing beautifully – kind of a no brainer for me.
Of Monsters and Men
Garour, Iceland
My saving grace from my Vietnam and Cambodia trip! I got My Head is an Animal on my phone (and I discovered the band through my colleague, Marie, who just loves the band) and as much as I adore “Little Talks” and “Love Love Love” when I first streamed Of Monsters and Men’s album via NPR, “Slow and Steady” was the perfect song to listen to while rain poured on our Saigon City Tour.
The Griswolds
Sydney, NSW, AU
The Griswolds may be one of my faves right now, not just because of their music but they get points for congeniality. If the band hasn’t followed me on Twitter, then I wouldn’t be able to discover their track “Mississippi” which I fell in love with pronto. They’re quite generous, too, visit their Bandcamp site and get this track for free.
Polica
Since Bon Iver casually dropped this band’s name post-Grammys, I took it upon myself to find out who these guys were. But it wasn’t until I listened to a random online radio that I heard “Wandering Star” which eventually encouraged me to listen more. A voluntary MySpace Polica radio listening party brought me “The Maker” which cemented the fact that Polica are worth the listen.
Dawn Lanuza 
Wow! Vietnam! That is really cool Dawn! It does look beautiful there, might have to add that to places in Asia I have to see. Oh, btw great playlist… standouts for me Good Old War and Of Monsters & Men. 🙂
Yeah, Saigon's really great. 🙂 You should go. Try listening to Of Monsters and Men's “Little Talks” and “Love Love Love” as well as Good Old War's “Amazing Eyes” — those are faves too 😉
I checked out those songs. I like Amazing Eyes the most. Thanks to our Little Talks I have found another song to Love Love Love. hahaha
I have been listening to a lot of Edward Sharpe & Magnetic Zeros… love “Man on Fire”. Check it out if you haven't already.
Oh my God, I love Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. Haha. Yeah “Man on Fire” is good but “Home” is always a favorite. 🙂