Val Haller's diabolical plan includes Haley

[Miguel]

Chicago Sun Times

ValsList Festival picks

If you build it, the older music fans will come. Or so thinks Val Haller.

The Winnetka blogger hopes to curate a one-day, adults-only Lollapalooza the day before the festival kicks off next year.

“I believe that if you get adults back out to live music — and do it their way — they will have a great time, and will want to do it again,” Haller wrote by e-mail. “They’ll tell their friends. They’ll brag about a new band they discovered.”

Here’s the lineup she’d like to see:

Singer/songwriter: Rose Cousins

Guitar prodigy: Zach Heckendorf

New sound - Electronica: Polica

Familiar folk: Blind Pilot

Chill vibe: Agnes Obel

World music: Amadou & Miriam

Indie rock: Dawes

Alternative/Dance music: Mike Snow

70’s vibe newcomer: The Sheepdogs

R&B: Allen Stone

A young “old soul”: Haley Reinhart

Techno Mashups: Girl Talk

Instrumental/Rock Orchestra: Zoe Keating or rock Kishi Bashi

Theatrical rock: Brandi Carlile

Zen indie rock: Trevor Hall

Quiet alt rock with an old vibe: Pieta Brown

Country/bluegrass: MilkDrive

Big names: Jack White, Black Keys, Florence & the Machine, Coldplay

Vintage artist paired with new act: Daryl Hall and Allen Stone

http://valslist.com/val

WHO IS VAL?

I have always been into music. I mean, really into music. But I am not a musician, I am a listener. I do more than hear music, I feel it. I know that I am different in this regard because when I comment on music (like, this is too fast or too soft or not the right music for this place…) my friends just stare at me, as if to ask, “Why does it matter so much to you?” But it is this critical ear that allows me to bring the best music to valslist.

I made playlists long before they were called playlists. As a teen, I made music mixes for my friends. We grew up on rock and roll, garage band music, disco, protest and folk songs. My music collection (which I’d organized all summer) rode on the front seat with me to college. As an adult, I have created the sound for school videos, sports teams, weddings and anniversary parties. Since the advent of modern catalysts like internet and satellite radio and the iTunes music store, the breadth of my musical discovery has grown exponentially. I began sharing my playlists with friends and family, and they had a single message: turn your hobby into a business.

Enter valslist.

I’ve created this boutique music website to function as a “music concierge” service – where I find the best cutting edge music for busy people. My taste is anything but Top 40. You won’t hear most of my selections on regular radio. I organize tracks on each playlist to flow effortlessly and set a mood. I surprise you with two vintage oldies to make you smile (always tracks 5 and 10.) I’ll throw in a world tune to expand your horizons. I have been told my music is predictably good, not predictable music.

To me, music is the spice of life – it should be everywhere. When music is missing, life is flat. What makes valslist music good? The best music moves you, causing a visceral effect in you. That’s the music I like. That’s the music I bring to valslist. No matter who you are, no matter what your music status, you will enjoy discovering valslist, and I will enjoy bringing to you that rare feeling of hearing the right song.

Enjoy.

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How Haley is featured on the site currently: http://valslist.com/artists/2068-haley-reinhart