"I'm not a jerk. I'm Suzie."

3 more reasons to love The Narrative:

Wait. There's guys in The Meg & Dia Band?

I'm obsessed--addicted--to Meg & Dia. They're two sisters from Utah and they've got a wonderful new CD coming out next Tuesday, 4/21. Oh, and there's guys in the band too (Jonathan, Carlo, & Nick; equally awesome, but less beautiful than the front women. Sorry.) And okay, so maybe I have a bit of a crush. Or two.

But seriously, Meg & Dia are a catchy, talented pop rock band, on the verge of stardom. Don't be surprised if a song or two off of their new CD Here, Here, and Here becomes a hit this summer. If you wanna be cool, Here, Here, and Here is currently streaming in its entirety on the band's Myspace page. (I've streamed it 2 and a half times already.)

Here, Here, and Here is a bit of a departure from the sound of their last CD Something Real. There's a lot less acoustic stuff in their new CD, and the rock influence is a lot more evident. First single "Black Wedding" is more like the album version of "Monster" and less like the sweet innocence of "Nineteen Stars." I caught Meg & Dia a couple of summers ago at the Nassau Coliseum stop of Warped Tour, and there was a sublime greatness to their performance. Quite intimate for a festival show at the parking lot of Nassau Coliseum.

And best part? They'll be playing Warped again this year, and I'll definitely be there. I expect--nay, demand--that they play the main stage this summer. And I'll be right up against the barricades 5 feet away from them with the biggest, dorkiest smile on my face. ::Sigh:: But for the meantime, watch their new video, "Black Wedding" below.



Songs to check out from Here, Here, and Here: "Black Wedding," "What If," "One Sail," "Hug Me," "Bored of Your Love"

Building the Ultimate Summer Playlist: "Trouble Hunters" by Astronautalis

Music often defines my summers. There's really nothing like hanging out with friends, driving around, or going to the beach as one signature song plays. And when you hear that song months or even years later, it takes you right back.

It happens every summer: Rihanna's "Umbrella," Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie," and even the goddamned Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out?" They take over the radio, and it's what you hear everywhere you go. But it's not always what

It's entirely subjective, and it's really more about capturing the moment--pure escapism--rather than finding a deep meaning connected to the music. Last summer, Cobra Starship's "Guilty Pleasure" and 3oh!3's "Don't Trust Me" dominated me and my friends' aimless romps around Long Island. The sentimentalism of Paramore's "Franklin" (pre-"Misery Business") and the declaration of perpetual youth in Brand New's "Soco Amaretto Lime" marks the summer I graduated high school (2007). And the infectious music of The Hush Sound and Death Cab for Cutie was the obsession of 2006.

This year, I've already got my ears tuned for those songs I'll be playing on repeat once finals are over and I am once again free from schoolwork. And there's already one song that's got me anticipating those summer nights. "Trouble Hunters" by Astronautalis is just the kind of catchy tune I'm inclined to listen to while just hanging around with some friends. It's what I'll be listening to as I wreak mild, innocen havoc this summer. And check out the music video--it's clear he doesn't take himself too seriously, and it's just fun to watch. Don't be surprised if I dress up as a vampire at least once this summer recreating this video.