Down in the Boondocks

"My name is Dean Winchester. I‘m an Aquarius. I enjoy sunsets, long walks on the beach and frisky women. And I did not kill anyone.” Dean Winchester from Supernatural.

Isn't it great when you come across something new, whether it's a new author, a new song or a new TV show. One of the big perks of my job is that I constantly have new material coming across my desk so new discoveries are something that happens fairly frequently and regularly

Lately though I have noticed that I have been on a rather strange and perhaps worrisome trend. I seemed to have developed a fondness for what at best could be described as Rural Americana and at worst as Redneck or Hillbilly chic. Is there even such a term? If not then I just made it up and I added the chic part so it sounded just a little bit better, though I'm beginning to have qualms about even this.

It's a rather weird thing to be into and something that I am beginning to suspect lies entirely with my love for Supernatural. Not supernatural as is ghosts and zombies etc (though I enjoy that too) but Supernatural as in the TV show. You know the one. Cute guys, great music, the car (which deserves a show entirely of its own), funny one liners and a supporting cast that brings so much to an already great show.

Much of the show is set in the American Midwest, an area that I've never had a particular yearning to go and yet on some level I seem to be drawn to it. Maybe it's the music or perhaps it's that gun-ho attitude where people don't take crap from anyone and aren't afraid to shoot you if you do them wrong. Either way I've become hooked on this slice of American life.

Supernatural
If you've read some of my previous posts then you know that I love this show times infinity (as my fellow blogger Tosca would say).

It's an addiction that I can't shake - even if I wanted to, which I don't. I mean, are you crazy or what. How could I not love this show. It's perfect in every way. It's exciting and funny and sad and moving and just all round awesome... okay, I'll stop gushing now, you get the picture

Justified
This show has become my new addiction (after Supernatural and Vampire Diaries, of course). Critics love it, praising it as one of the shows to watch and I have to agree.

Sadly it screened here in NZ rather late at night which is such a pity as it is worthy of so much more attention. It's brilliant, right from its laid back Western feel to its gun toting US Marshall Raylan Givens to the Hillbilly baddies that frequent it. Its got all this and so much more. So if you're looking for a cop show with a big difference then try Justified. You won't be sorry.

Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars
I came across this band about a year and a half ago after catching them on YouTube (which by the way is such a great place for finding new music).

For awhile the title song from this CD was the only song of theirs that I listened to but once I got their album out I quickly became hooked on the rest of their music. They are folksy, bluesy and rocky all rolled into one fantastic mix.

Once you've listened to this you can see why they won 3 Grammys at last year's awards. My favourite's are Barton Hollow followed closely by I've Got This Friend and Birds of a Feather.

How I Go by Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Listening to this guy always reminds me of smokey backwater bars where men drink whiskey and play pool and women fall in love with cowboys or bad boys (or maybe a little bit of both).

He's considered the heir to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton (and if you have to ask who either of these artists are you really do need to listen to a bigger variety of music) and one of the greatest solo guitarist around today.

I fell in love with him after hearing Blue on Back about a year ago and since then have become even more of a fan after listening to this, his latest album. My favourites are Cold, Anywhere the Wind Blows, Dark Side of Love and Who's Gonna Catch You Now.

Hell On Wheels
I have no idea if this show has screened here, having caught it myself courtesy of a friend overseas who sent me the DVD. Luckily the DVD has now been released in NZ which will hopefully mean that it will gain a bigger audience.

It's a raw and gritty western about an ex Confederate solider who goes hunting for the men who murdered his wife and son. Inter played with this is the story of the building of the first transcontinental railroad. It's great stuff and features some great music also.

The First Days by Rhiannon Frater
I'm generally not much of a zombie fan but the cover and blurb of this book got my attention and after reading it I am now eagerly waiting for the next two in the series to arrive on my desk.

It's sometimes hard to find books featuring strong, realistic and well written female characters but this horror book manages to do that. Set in Texas it's a little further South but still has that MidWest rural feel to it.

Field of Dreams
Okay, I know this movie has been around for... well years, if I'm being totally honest but that still doesn't take away from the fact that it's a great movie.

Though it might seem on the surface a movie about baseball it's actually about alot more than that. It's about hope and family and faith and it's a movie that will leave you with a warm, magical feeling and it's all from a corn field in Iowa.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Another story that is set a little further south, this time in Mississippi. Originally released back in 2009 it gained a huge following after being featured on Oprah and then when it was turned into a movie.

It deserves all the attention it has received as it's just a great but simple story that looks at the racial divide that existed back in 1960's America.

It's well worth reading, and in a rare case, the movie is just as good.

Footloose
Now I'm not talking about the original Footloose (which by the way I saw at the movies when it first came out and had the soundtrack too also - on vinyl - god I sound old...)

This is a remake, which I haven't seen. What I have done is listened to the soundtrack. Ignore the remakes of the original songs (some of which aren't too bad I'd admit) and instead concentrate of the new songs that are featured. Fake ID is my favourite - it's foot tapping great and always makes me dance in my chair when ever I listen to it. I also really like Where the River Goes and Little Lovin. Come on and give it ago and get in touch with your inner country girl.