take a chance

I believe in giving something a chance and taking chances.  I've always thought that everyone deserves a chance.  You never really know what'll happen unless you give it a chance. It may turn out completely terrible, or it might be the greatest decision you've ever made.  But you'll never know until you give it a chance.

I've been given many chances in my life for a lot of things, and I'm very grateful for them.  More recently I've noticed how much little things mean to me, and how much I appreciate the chances I've been given.  For some situations (one in particular) I've been given more chances than I probably deserved. And I cannot thank that person enough for being so understanding and giving me more than one chance.

What bugs me most is when people don't give things chances.  They get something in their mind that they don't want to change. I try to understand (because I can be stubborn too), but it's hard because I can't help but think, 'you aren't gonna know if it's gonna work unless you give it a try.'  All I ever ask of these people is to give it a chance.  You never know how absolutely perfect something could turn out to be.  The worst that could happen is you aren't happy with the things work, and you go on with life.  I'm very understanding (and I feel a lot of people don't know this about me or don't realize it), so if for some reason the chance you took isn't what you wanted, I get it. 

All I ask is you take a chance because you never know how absolutely perfect something could turn out to be.

Music

I love listening to music, and I'm always looking for new stuff to listen to.  Every once in awhile I find myself going on 'new' music binges. So here are some of the bands that I discovered on my last binge (in no particular order):

Foster the People:

I don't remember how I came upon this indie pop group from LA. but I came across their song "Pumped Up Kicks" somewhere in my search for new music, and instantly liked them. Their entire debut album, "Torches", is a pretty good listen. They remind me a lot of MGMT (so if you're a fan of them there's a chance you'll probably like these guys as well). The group is also nominated for a 2011 VMA (Best New Artist).  Also if you're lucky enough to have tickets to Lolla this year they're playing Friday at 3pm at the Sony stage.
Website
Facebook page
Here's their video for Helena Beat:

High Places:

I discovered this indie rock duo from Brooklyn while watching Skins (UK).  Their song "Banana Slugs/Cosmonaut" is in season 3: episode 8 of Skins, when the group is trippin' after eating shrooms. The song itself (and I guess most of their music) is pretty trippy. The few lines of the song that I just love is: 

and we're all full of questions
and we would like to know just exactly where we came from

and exactly where we'll go

I think I like it so much just because it's so true.I just really like their sound the most; its very different, and you can get "lost" in it (which is something I love).

Their blog

Facebook page

Noah and the Whale:
I've heard of these guys before, but never really looked into them.  However the other day, when I was watching Dev's (who I absolutely love atm) new video (In the Dark), I saw a link for their video "Life is Life", so I decided to check it out.  I'm a very visual person, so I've always been a fan of music videos.  The video is all in color but the way the color red pops in the video is awesome. They are an indie folk band from London (which maybe a reason I like them, cause what girl doesn't love a guy with an British accent and can sing?). Again, if you have Lolla tickets (I'm very jealous) they are playing Sunday at 230pm on the Bud Light stage.
Website
Facebook page
The "Life is Life" vid:

Parlours:
This group was featured on the season finale of Chicago Code.  Whenever I hear a song I like I always look it up right away (that way I don't forget and possibly miss out on some amazing artist).  I was really surprised when I found out they were from Iowa and they only have an EP out.  They're an indie-folk-pop band.  I love how its all acoustic and the harmonizing of Dana and Scott.
Website
Facebook page
"I dream of Chicago" video:

Just a few others:

The Morning Benders--Indie rock band from Berkeley, CA.  Their "Bedroom Covers" album is amazing, and their video "All day day light" is super fun. website 

The Rosebuds--indie rock/folk band from Raleigh, NC.  Currently on tour with Bon Iver.

website

Gang Gang Dance--Experimental rock/electronic band from NYC.  Also discovered these guys while watching Skins (UK) website

Also if you've never heard of the site Sputnikmusic, you should check it out.  A friend from college (who has amazing taste in music and introduced me to so many new bands) used it all the time.  It's a good way to see what people think of band's albums based off ratings.  The ratings/reviews are from both professionals and amateurs.  I like it a lot when I'm looking at newly discovered (by me) bands, what their better albums are.