trying really really hard to stay sane

If anyone out there is still reading/following, I apologize for the lack of posts. The past few months have been a gigantic ball of stress and calling them an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement. It was mostly due to school, but now that I've nailed down an internship for the summer (and it's FUNDED!), I'm a much happier person. But enough about me, here's what's been keeping me happy and what I'm looking forward to:

The FOLK FESTIVAL. I never officially wrote a response. Well, it was BALLER. Even though Doc Watson couldn't make it (reason number 32849287234 to hate winter), it was still an amazing two nights of music. This year, like last, had a seemingly breakout crowd favorite, Hoots and Hellmouth. They were asked to come play the second night after Doc Watson cancelled and rocked out hard. I'm really looking forward to when they come back to Ann Arbor next month. Iron & Wine was mesmerizing the first night, and Richie Havens was wonderful the second night. Props to Rosanne Cash who "headlined" the second night, but I wish it was Richie. I could listen to him for hours and hours.

I got to catch The Avett Brothers in concert last week, and it was unbelievable. They are totally 100% awesome live. I had a bunch of their albums prior to the show and liked them ok, but holy shit. I've been listening to their music pretty much nonstop since the show. If they are playing anywhere near you (like 3 hour travel time radius) GO SEE THEM!!! The Low Anthem opened and they were great too. I'm probably going to see them on their headline tour in a couple weeks, so I'll try and get a more in depth review up for them then.
Slight Figure of Speech - mp3

And last little bit for this post, I FINALLY got Vampire Weekend's new album, Contra, last week and I like it a lot. I think I like it better than their debut. You can totally hear the Graceland undertones, but whatever. It's catchy and it makes me happy. And that's all that really matters. :)
Diplomat's Son-mp3

Quick note about what I'm excited about:

• Ra Ra Riot is releasing a new album this summer. It's about fucking time. I cannot wait.
• She & Him Vol. 2 is being released next week. I streamed it on NPR and loved what I heard.
• SXSW NEXT year. After being updated multiple times a day by my friend that got to go this year, I don't care what's going on with my classes. I'm going to be in Austin this time next year.
  
• Either the Deer Tick concert or The Low Anthem concert on April 7th. The concert gods apparently hate me and two of my favorite bands at the moment are playing on the same night 40 miles apart. I still haven't decided who to go see. Any thoughts?
  

That's it for now. Hopefully I'll come up for air from school again soon.