I’d been in the studio working on my new album so I thought I’d share this playlist of songs that inspired me during the writing and recording process – more on the new music soon!
Keep up with Hamish Anderson here.
Do you remember consuming music before digital distribution?
For me, the only music I knew came from physical albums/cds, local radio, or someone literally playing it in front of me.
I was 10 when file-sharing services like Napster hit the scene and busted our ear bubbles. It changed the game, right? We suddenly didn’t have to stick to eating whatever was just lying around. We could dig in and try something different, even jump in the kitchen ourselves to practice cooking up music in our own way and serve up with the rest.
I can’t decide if we’ve traded limitations for option-overload. Regardless, it’s hard to imagine what kind of music I’d be making without unlimited access to music outside of my physical reach.
I like pretending.
So, for this playlist, I played like there was no internet. I mulled over which music I would or wouldn’t know in a world without web and included it.
It’s full of music in my proximity: my parents albums, cds that flew in my face when I flipped down the visor mirror, records my English teacher gave me in high school, live performances; artists I’ve made music with, run sound for, met on tour, and my friends.
It’s much of what I’ve listened to and been influenced by during years of writing and releasing my first solo album, ‘Seiche’. – which is drippity-dropping on Friday, November 9, onto the invaluable internet near you:)
Keep up with Sydney Wright here.
I picked these songs to help inspire sounds for the new project I’m working on. I named it Antimatter bc that’s the name of my project. I grew up listening to rap, alternative, pop punk, and reggaeton so I’m looking to create something that incorporates all of that. Picked current hits from these different genres.
Keep up with Ness Heads here.
I’m always inspired by songs that are filled with strong and seamless vocals. I love listening to stripped down pop songs where you can really hear the artist sing. It feels raw and intimate, almost like a private concert. So here are some of my favorite acoustic style pop tracks with a little R&B flair. You can only listen if it also involves wine, cheese and good company.
Daniel Caesar – Best Part (feat. H.E.R)
Camila Cabello – Real Friends
Kehlani – Honey
Noah Cyrus, MAX – Team
Ella Mai – Naked
Mila J – No Brakes
Elijah Blake – Mama Knows
Tori Kelly – Paper Hearts
Rihanna, Kanye, Paul McCartney – FourFiveSeconds
Lauv – The Other (Stripped)
Frank Ocean – Ivy
Cody Simpson – Home To Mama
Jorja Smith – Goodbyes
Troye Sivan – My My My! (Acoustic)
Rudimental, James Arthur – Sun Comes Up (Acoustic)
Keep up with Arlene here.
Keep up with Brooke Moriber here.
This is a ‘mildly spooky’ playlist, because it’s Halloween time as I’m writing this and I’m feeling festive. Nothing obvious or overtly goth or doomy, for the most part, just songs that have a tint of dark/weird vibes. Good to listen to while decorating your Halloween Tree.
1. The Words That Maketh Murder – PJ Harvey
(Because she’s awesome and it’s clever how she references ‘Summertime Blues’ while describing the horrors of war.)
2. So Alive – Love and Rockets
(One of my favorite songs. Awesome backing vocals.)
3. Penetration – The Stooges
(More rock songs need to utilize a celesta. Or not.)
4. Fool – Nadine Shah
(I listened to this song on repeat for a month. Such a cool vibe and perfectly made.)
5. In Madonna’s Gazebo – Circus Devils
(When I can’t take time out of my day to have an uncomfortable acid trip, I listen to Circus Devils.)
6. Vomiting Mirrors – Clockcleaner
(I can’t really make out what he’s singing. Probably on account of the mirrors he’s vomiting.)
7. Jimmy, Renda-Se – Tom Zé
(Making this song fit the theme might be a stretch. I just love it and want to include it.)
8. Carnival of Souls – Combustible Edison
(Exactly what you’d expect to hear at a carnival of souls.)
9. Mass Dream – TV Ghost
(I found this song on a music blog once and it stuck with me like a bad dream.)
10. Call Across Rooms – Grouper
(Liz Harris is an amazing musician and artist. I want to live in this house in which rooms are being called across.)
11. Cut-Out Witch – Guided by Voices
(Guides by Voices is one of my favorite bands, so they must be included.)
12. Drugs – Talking Heads
(There’s a strong possibility that this song is about drugs.)
13. Ugly – Love and Rockets
(Spooky, mildly.)
14. Shrivel-Up – Devo
(I’ve always wanted to cover this song but I think I need to get an Energy Dome first.)
15. Sunday – David Bowie
(What a dude. Heathen is probably my favorite album of his.)
16. Fall Breaks And Back To Winter – The Beach Boys
(What the hell?)
17. Hi I’m Martha, How are you? – Circus Devils
(My third Bob Pollard song on this list. I have problems, but so does Martha.)
18. The Twilight Zone – The Ventures
(Because we are living in the Twilight Zone.)
19. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
(I want to sing this song at karaoke but it’s hard to come by.)
20. Glazed Eye – Girls Against Boys
(Sweet dreams.)
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I picked these songs because they always make me feel so good when I listen to them. That’s why I named the playlist: “Elevation station”. The music that lifts me up and lights up my world.
Keep up with Lavender Fields here.
I listen to all kinds of music, mostly anything that makes me feel something. When I started to write songs, I listened to a lot of blues and folk music. I got inspired by how people could express emotions through songs and I fell in love with it. I think that was the reason why I started to write my own songs.
What all these songwriters, musicians and artist have in common is that their music is pure, timeless and real. They didn’t let anyone get in their way, no matter what, they held on to what they believed in.
1. I know It’s Over – Jeff Buckley
2. Simple Twist Of Fate – Bob Dylan
3. Waitin’ Around To Die – Townes Van Zandt
4. Stars – Janis Ian
5. Words – Neil Young
6. Stuck In The Middle With You – Stealers Wheel
7. Meet Me In The Morning – Bob Dylan
8. Glory Box – John Martyn
9. Day Is Done – Nick Drake
10. River – Joni Mitchell
11. Nobody Knows You – Bessie Smith
12. Dink’s Song – Dave Van Ronk
13. Lover, You Should’ve Come Over – Jeff Buckley
14. Love & Hate – Michael Kiwanuka
15. I Found You – Alabama Shakes
16. Wayfaring Stranger – Emmylou Harris
17. Piece of My Heart – Janis Joplin (Big Brother & The Holding Company)
18. Wild Is The Wind – Nina Simone
19. Racing With The Sun – Ella Jenkins
20. Give me a smile – Sibylle Baier
21. Heart Beat Slow – Angus & Julia Stone
22. Folsom Prions Blues – Johnny Cash
23. I Love You More Than Words Can Say – Karen Dalton
24. How Can I Put Out The Flame – Candi Staton
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Keep up with Marlene Oaks here.
This month was full to the brim with spooky, gorgeous tones in new music releases. We chose some that match our mood for the witching holiday, and curated what looks to be the perfect Halloween soundtrack full of new music. Featuring new tracks from Nuela Charles, The Penny Serfs, Dead Naked Hippies, Rich Hope, Bonnie Li, and more, check it all out below!