Life In The Pacific Northwest
Amanda Palmer has written some fun songs for the instrument. This one is my current favorite (FYI, not completely safe for work).
A few days later, a friend of mine mentioned her drink of choice was tequila. That always make me think of this song:
Friends and neighbors, Edmonds’ own Gothard Sisters released a new song this past week. I highly recommend giving them a listen. It’s a very pleasant and joyful one.
May you have a wonderous week.
Local artist Scalar Theorem just released a new track, Roots, on his Bandcamp page. Definitely give it a listen if you’re a fan of electronica, DubStep, electronic dance music, and the like.
This is part of my morning musical focus. Ambient, triphop, and such are styles I’ve long delighted in. From back in the early days of electronic music. I find the graphics accompanying this to be cool, too.
Local musician Evan DeVries produced this little 360 video shoot showcasing one of my favorite towns: Bellingham. I thought it was delightful.
What do you think?
Listening to Rufus Du Sol, reminded how much I enjoy electronic music and one of my regrets: when I had the chance to study music formally, I opted not to. Insecurities spoke too loudly, drowning out passion. I loved studying music theory, exploring the way audio elevations interact with each other. Memories of improvisation workshops, and the compliments I received for my commitment to rhythm.
Now, though, my poetry echos my musical tastes. Symmetry, rich harmonies, layers, textures, all blending into something far greater than the sum of the parts.
The difference between music and poetry: in poetry words flow in single streams. Together, yet alone; they can’t interact. Several words flowing together at the same time create a pile of textual vomit. Music allows multiple people singing multiple lines simultaneously with their interaction making them greater. Much the way different colors blend into new colors, different feelings, telling a story with each dab.
I often play with the idea of restarting this path. Of exploring all that can be done with today’s computers, today’s sampling gear, today’s synthesizers. I could create words, sung, standing upon each other, blurring, blending into something greater, into something beyond whatever could be imagined. Words building upon words, interweaving with tones, textures and rhythms, pushing through feelings, ideas, the power of souls intermixing and exploding with something more powerful than any human element could be, do, express on it’s own.
With all this, when I was younger I listened to music deeply, richly. I listened to the chords, the words, exploring what the composer communicates with that interplay. Did the pleasant, kind words take on irony with the minor or diminished chord interwoven? Words stacked with changing chords, showing tension, motion, landing on a major chord, resolution, release.
Then there’s the blending of older music, ancient music, such as Enigma, taking ancient chant, interweaving new tones and auditory textures, creating something linking the ancient with the rising sun, with a newness of being, something that both exists from antiquity and yet is brand new.
Lesson: passions drive live, make it beautiful. Explore them fully, deeply, richly. Humanity needs no more bitter business people, soul’s stripped of joy. No, we need more passion, joy, aliveness.
Bring that into being, my friends.
Here is the song by Rufus Del Sol that got me going. Enjoy!
In my non-ceasing efforts to discover and promote local musicians, here a cover of Pink’s “What About Us?” done by local artist Sydney Day. She’s most active on Facebook. Give her a listen on all her channels. It’s well worth your time.
And here’s her Soundcloud account. It’s been a bit since she’s posted here, but I enjoyed what’s here.
I’ve been exploring music on YouTube for years. I’ve found the YouTube Music feature pretty lackluster, but that’s probably mostly due to my eclectic musical tastes and interests.
Lately, I’ve been obsessing about a couple musical things. First, the Hang Drum. Imagine a steel drum that’s much more portable. I find them rather ethereal and lovely. I particularly like the video below. The music is delightful, and the imagery stunning. My favorite combo on the platform. Here’s a playlist I’ve started, and will add to as I go forward.
Another recent musical obsession: these long playing live streams. I’ve been bopping in and out of the one below for months…maybe years. I wonder if this is an element of the future? What do you think?
Inspired by C89‘s DJ Trent Von and his Save The Wave show, I crafted my own playlist in Spotify. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. What’s left out? What shouldn’t be on this one?
If you’re a fan of Trent, here are a few places to connect with him online:
And here are some sites to learn more about his style, background, and, well, listen to his playlists.
Morten Lauridsen is one of the great musical products of the Pacific Northwest. Born in Colfax (roughly 1/2 way between Spokane and Pullman), he then grew up in Portland, went to Whitman in Walla Walla, then landed at USC. I’m sad to say I only discovered his music quite recently, as he has been helping the good folks at King FM raise money for their abrupt and mandatory relocation. I’ve been exploring his work throughout the week. Spotify has a nice collection of his work.
I also discovered this interview where he discusses his Magnum Mysterium. Listening to him talk reminds me of the joy I felt when I studied music. I have many moments where I regret stopping those studies. I expect I should write about that at some point.
What do you think of his music? Is there anyone you like? That you would recommend? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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