The Avett Brothers [Sing-A-Long Saturday]

I was introduced to the Avett Brothers last summer while working at a summer camp. They were a popular among some of my fellow counselors and I quickly fell in love with them as well.

The Avett Brothers combine folk, bluegrass, country, and rock and roll melodies to create a unique sound. The band is comprised of two brothers, Seth and Scott Avett, and Bob Crawford, as well as Joe Kwon who usually joins them on tour.

I was lucky enough to see the Avett Brothers perform live this past June in Grand Rapids. They bring a great presence to the stage, even in an outdoor theater. They are a lot of fun to see live and fun for the whole family -- there were people of all ages there when I saw them in concert (which might not be a good thing if you don't like sitting next to annoying children, like we were).

I tried to compile a list of some of my favorite songs, but they have such a prolific list that it was hard. I tried anyway, so here are some of my faves, but I'm sure I'm missing some:

The Ballad of Love and Hate


The Weight of Lies


Tear Down the House


And one of their new songs: I and Love and You


I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. They really are one of my favorite bands.

I Was a Young James Dean [Sing-A-Long Saturday]

In Sing-A-Long Saturday, I will be featuring a song or artist that I am particularly fond of. I will look at this song or artist through a feminist lens in order to reflect on my investments in both music and feminism. And to promote some of my favority songs and artists, because I think they're pretty awesome.

"Young James Dean" by Girlyman

I saw Girlyman open for Dar Williams in 2005. I instantly fell in love with them. They play folky type music and have some great lyrics. My favorite song of theirs will most likely always be "Young James Dean." It was the first song of theirs that I got and I know the lyrics by heart.

Girlyman is comprised of Nate Borofsky, Doris Muramatsu, and Ty Greenstein. This is what Muramatsu had to say about their unique name "Girlyman":

"It's great for us, provocative and playful. It makes people laugh. But it also hints at how we've never quite fit in. Nate wears make-up on stage, I'm a Japanese-American playing to mostly white audiences. Ty is a grown-up tomboy. The name Girlyman lets us acknowledge that we're out of the mainstream, but without taking ourselves too seriously."

I love that Girlyman doesn't try to pretend that they are anyone but who they are.

And now onto the song: "Young James Dean"...

In the back of a camouflage truck
They locked me in once with the material
I was full of a rage no one could handle
I was a private in the army
All the real girls with their backs turned called me crazy
Called me crazy

I worked for a while at a diner
Manager said I had to wear that little uniform
Said I was part of the problem
But I was in love with that blonde girl
She kissed me twice behind the counter
But when I asked her to get into my car
She called her man, said 'don't bother her'
She called her man, said 'don't bother her'

I guess I'll feel less than real all my life
With these feathers I made
Under me lifting me up
But I was a young James Dean
With a way with the ladies
All the real boys in their black jeans called me crazy
Called me crazy
Called me crazy
Called me crazy

This song is, to me, all about struggling to find your own identity and being yourself. The person singing the song never quite fits in with the people he/she is with.

I highly recommend checking out Girlyman's other music.

Sorry the video is not of great quality, Girlyman doesn't produce a lot of music videos. The song starts around 1:10: