Things We Like
These are random things we like (in no particular order) that maybe you will like too. Because there are a lot of things that we like (and we can't list them all), we will plan to change this page around from time to time. So please check back every so often.
These are random things we like (in no particular order) that maybe you will like too. Because there are a lot of things that we like (and we can't list them all), we will plan to change this page around from time to time. So please check back every so often.
MUSIC
Rockford Music Scene - Looking for live music? This Facebook page will let you know what's playing in the Rockford area.
The Vinyl Space - A terrific blog about collecting vinyl records (that happens to be written by our son).
Tiny Desk Concerts - A great concert series by National Public Radio featuring intimate video performances recorded live at the desk of "All Songs Considered" host Bob Boilen.
Sound Opinions - Public radio show hosted by WBEZ in Chicago and played on National Public Radio. In depth music reviews and opinions.
Austin City Limits - Music performance TV show that appears weekly on PBS.
WCCX ( Carroll University Radio) - Our son hosts a radio show on this campus station. You can listen to their college music programming online.
Elvis Costello - Noel and Amy both played a lot of Elvis Costello on their college radio shows.
Violent Femmes - Milwaukee band that invented the folk punk genre and made acoustic instruments cool before they became cool.
Courtney Barnett - Singer-songwriter and guitarist from Melbourne, Australia.
Leonard Cohen - His song Hallelujah has over 300 known recordings. One of Noel's favorite artists.
Cake - Anther one of our favorite bands.
Alexi Murdoch - British acoustic singer songwriter.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL PLACES WE LIKE VISIT
Wired Cafe - A terrific local coffee shop with great food in downtown Rockford.
Rockford City Market - A fun gathering place that runs every Friday night through the spring/summer/early fall in downtown Rockford. The market features live music and local growers and vendors who sell natural products and unique retail items.
Prairie State Winery - Terrific winery based in Northern Illinois that features live local music.
The Steaming Cup - Coffee shop and cafe located in historic Waukesha, WI and a wonderful supporter of live music. If you are in the area we recommend this place.
Nicholas Conservatory - A beautiful local conservatory and outdoor lagoon.
Sweet Revival Coffee House and Antiques - Located In Kings, IL, within a former historic church, Sweet Revival is a fun antique shop and coffeehouse the features occassional live music.
The Laurent House - A very unique Rockford house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that now serves as a museum.
Baci's Kitchen - Terrific Rockford restaurant that supports local music.
Gene's Place - Rockford bar and grill with a great fish fry, homemade food, and local music.
McEachran Homestead Winery - Beautiful local winery and vineyard that hosts local music.
OTHER FUN STUFF
Appalachian Gallery - Art studio located in Morgantown, West Virginia. Penelyn VanOrange, owner, is the artist who created our logo and gig poster.
Pam Kehoe-Peterson Jewelry - Unique handmade jewelry including some from reclaimed materials.
Willow Creek - Noel's sister posts information and videos about her family's work at raising free range ducks for eggs and other related topics. Willow Creek has a YouTube site too (and they have a really catchy acoustic guitar jingle at the start of their videos!)
PAPER AIRPLANE DESIGN
Fold 'N Fly - Who doesn't like folding paper airplanes? Given our band name we'd be remiss if we didn't share this site.
Paper Airplanes HQ - Another site dedicated to unique paper airplane designs.
Fun Paper Airplanes - And one last paper airplane design site.
Rockford Music Scene - Looking for live music? This Facebook page will let you know what's playing in the Rockford area.
The Vinyl Space - A terrific blog about collecting vinyl records (that happens to be written by our son).
Tiny Desk Concerts - A great concert series by National Public Radio featuring intimate video performances recorded live at the desk of "All Songs Considered" host Bob Boilen.
Sound Opinions - Public radio show hosted by WBEZ in Chicago and played on National Public Radio. In depth music reviews and opinions.
Austin City Limits - Music performance TV show that appears weekly on PBS.
WCCX ( Carroll University Radio) - Our son hosts a radio show on this campus station. You can listen to their college music programming online.
Elvis Costello - Noel and Amy both played a lot of Elvis Costello on their college radio shows.
Violent Femmes - Milwaukee band that invented the folk punk genre and made acoustic instruments cool before they became cool.
Courtney Barnett - Singer-songwriter and guitarist from Melbourne, Australia.
Leonard Cohen - His song Hallelujah has over 300 known recordings. One of Noel's favorite artists.
Cake - Anther one of our favorite bands.
Alexi Murdoch - British acoustic singer songwriter.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL PLACES WE LIKE VISIT
Wired Cafe - A terrific local coffee shop with great food in downtown Rockford.
Rockford City Market - A fun gathering place that runs every Friday night through the spring/summer/early fall in downtown Rockford. The market features live music and local growers and vendors who sell natural products and unique retail items.
Prairie State Winery - Terrific winery based in Northern Illinois that features live local music.
The Steaming Cup - Coffee shop and cafe located in historic Waukesha, WI and a wonderful supporter of live music. If you are in the area we recommend this place.
Nicholas Conservatory - A beautiful local conservatory and outdoor lagoon.
Sweet Revival Coffee House and Antiques - Located In Kings, IL, within a former historic church, Sweet Revival is a fun antique shop and coffeehouse the features occassional live music.
The Laurent House - A very unique Rockford house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright that now serves as a museum.
Baci's Kitchen - Terrific Rockford restaurant that supports local music.
Gene's Place - Rockford bar and grill with a great fish fry, homemade food, and local music.
McEachran Homestead Winery - Beautiful local winery and vineyard that hosts local music.
OTHER FUN STUFF
Appalachian Gallery - Art studio located in Morgantown, West Virginia. Penelyn VanOrange, owner, is the artist who created our logo and gig poster.
Pam Kehoe-Peterson Jewelry - Unique handmade jewelry including some from reclaimed materials.
Willow Creek - Noel's sister posts information and videos about her family's work at raising free range ducks for eggs and other related topics. Willow Creek has a YouTube site too (and they have a really catchy acoustic guitar jingle at the start of their videos!)
PAPER AIRPLANE DESIGN
Fold 'N Fly - Who doesn't like folding paper airplanes? Given our band name we'd be remiss if we didn't share this site.
Paper Airplanes HQ - Another site dedicated to unique paper airplane designs.
Fun Paper Airplanes - And one last paper airplane design site.