Give me a piano or a guitar and a voice with some feeling.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the little things that make my heart happy. I don't really like the phrase "makes my heart sing", but how else can you describe it? You know that feeling right? That your heart is lifting as high as it possibly can in your chest without it actually picking you up and floating you away to somewhere over the rainbow...Oh wait, there's a word for it isn't there?

bliss [blis]

-noun

1. supreme happiness; utter joy or contentment: wedded bliss.

-idiom

2. bliss out, Slang .

to experience bliss or euphoria

Ahh bliss...

So what has you feeling all floaty in the heart lately?

For my birthday my sister bought me tickets to see Joshua Radin in concert. He has a liquidy magic voice that runs through you like warm syrup, except when it cracks with emotion and that is the moment...So yesterday Kyle and I went to see him play. There were two opening acts:

Laura Jansen was incredible. A petite little thing with a perma-grin, she surprised me with the ease in which she hits her crazy notes, the originality of her melodies and the pure clarity of her voice. She had me

ooh-ing and ahh-ing (and putting my name on her mailing list so I could get a free single which is amazing and has already played in my car 17 times.) She seemed to be so happy and content to do what she does (well) and I was in awe of that. I'm working towards getting there. That made me like her even more. Girl crush? Yes, I think so.

Then came Cary Brothers (who was a dude named Cary Brothers playing in a band with a bunch of other dudes, not a bunch of brothers with the last name Cary). At first I wasn't impressed. His sound was off. He came across as arrogant and uninterested in his audience. He put me off right away. I kept TRYING to like him, but it didn't work until he brought Laura back out with her smooth as butter voice (but not just regular butter. Definitely like that fancy sweet cream butter.) to sing a duet of a song I've been listening to for years...Oh, Blue Eyes, you changed my mind about Cary Brothers.

And then came Joshua Radin. He is wonderful. I've already mentioned his amazing singing voice, but his speaking voice is startlingly low. Combine that with his sense of humor, stories, and genuine desire to connect with his audience and you've got yourself a show. For his last song he unplugged and came out in the middle of the crowd. He sang an entire song just standing in the middle of us. Incredible. If you haven't heard Joshua Radin, check out "I'd Rather Be with You", "Paperweight" and "It's a Brand New Day" (among others...you can't go wrong really).

This show had me 100% blissed out. Emotional singer/songwriters with fantastic lyrics and amazing stage presence + a date with my honey. Yes, bliss. I have decided to make a point to see more live music. I am so happy when I find a song/singer/band that moves me. Why not look more often? Seek bliss. Bliss, please. Give me music or give me...well not death, but you get the point.

What are you doing to seek bliss every day?

Today I am thankful for a reminder of something I love. Thanks, Sister!