Soundscapes

The Antlers featuring Neon Indian - Rolled Together Because...

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:37:12 -0500

The Antlers featuring Neon Indian - Rolled Together

Because it’s starting to get cold.

New definition of cool: Walking down the street with this...

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 01:42:00 -0400

New definition of cool: Walking down the street with this blaring from your boombox. Everyone around you dances. Peace and love ensue for all eternity. End scene.

Listen to We Are Water by Papadosio.

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 15:46:00 -0400

Listen to We Are Water by Papadosio.

Random Rab - Sunwater I first heard this song at Rootwire 2K12,...

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:38:09 -0400

Random Rab - Sunwater

I first heard this song at Rootwire 2K12, in late August. He played the sunrise set, it was 7 am after a long night of dancing, it was freezing outside but the sun had started to rise. Most people who were still at the stage were sleeping, wrapped in blankets, but this song began and it moved me to get up, to keep dancing, and it was very nearly the best I’ve ever felt.

Bibio - Kaini Industries Boards of Canada cover

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:47:00 -0400

Bibio - Kaini Industries

Boards of Canada cover

Jefferson Airplane - Embryonic Journey

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:00:53 -0400

Jefferson Airplane - Embryonic Journey

Bonobo - Recurring (live sessions)

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 16:30:36 -0400

Bonobo - Recurring (live sessions)

µ Ziq - Phiesope

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:26:58 -0400

µ Ziq - Phiesope

mirrorsandmornings: Do you ever listen to music that makes you...

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:38:18 -0400

mirrorsandmornings:

Do you ever listen to music that makes you feel so good and warm that you feel like all you want to do is keep it for yourself because it feels so personal and you just want it to be yours and yours alone for ever and ever?

The type of music that reminds you of something but you don’t know what, almost as if you dreamed it, but it feels so familiar like a memory from your childhood.

That’s this. And like I said I want to keep it for myself so I don’t know what I’m doing even posting it on here but I love it so much.

From my other tumblr.

RJD2 - Ghostwriter (remix) - The Horror

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:10:40 -0400

RJD2 - Ghostwriter (remix) - The Horror

Hank Crawford - Wildflower

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:11:00 -0400

Hank Crawford - Wildflower

The Glitch Mob - Starve the Ego, Feed the Soul

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:17:47 -0400

The Glitch Mob - Starve the Ego, Feed the Soul

If it’s possible for music to sound like what falling in...

Mon, 21 May 2012 02:00:14 -0400

If it’s possible for music to sound like what falling in love feels like (and I would certainly say that it is)….

this is it.

Boards of Canada - Dayvan Cowboy

Glasser - Mirrorage

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 22:07:14 -0400

Glasser - Mirrorage

The Power of Music.

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:54:00 -0400

Music has a power to invoke strong emotions within us all. It’s a fundamental part of being human. For my term project, I chose to curate songs which fill the listener with happiness. Whether it’s an urge to get up and dance, to lean back into a hammock on a sunny day, to drive with the windows down and enjoy the wind on your face, to hug your best friend or your dog, kiss your lover, sing at the top of your lungs, or high five your teammates, music can inspire us and fill us with joy. No matter what a person’s audiotopia is like, it is certain to include songs that uplift, energize, and just feel good to listen to. In the United States, music has played a very prominent role in defining the different cultures and countercultures that have arisen among our society. No matter what segment of society a person is from, the sounds of other cultures blend together over time to create a marvelous mix of instruments and musical styles. Kun’s “contact zones” blur the lines of aural segregation, and nothing brings people together more than shared happiness. The songs I have chosen for my playlist bring together many different styles from many different time periods and cultures, but they all become relevant to each other in the context of a nation of people brought together by experiencing feelings of joy, side by side.

“We thought our life by analogy was a journey, a pilgrimage which had a serious purpose at the end, and the thing was to get to that end: success or whatever it is, or maybe heaven after you’re dead. But we missed the point the whole way along, it was a musical thing, and we were supposed to sing or dance, while the music was being played.”

- Alan Watts

Ott - One Day I Wish To Have This Kind Of Time (Mir, Self-released, March 2011)

The first track on my playlist features the above quote by Alan Watts as a sample. The song is electronic, with clear reggae influences and a psychedelic feel. The sounds swirl together, floaty and yet retain a sense of togetherness and solidity. This song is relaxing. Ott is a producer who has worked with Sinead O’Connor, ambient master Brian Eno, and Shpongle. His music feels like it’s expanding your mind, out to the place where you can see the whole world and feel the beauty in life and everything. The deep bass in the background with the reggae guitar melody and drums make the listener feel that they can hold hands with everyone around them and smile and sway along to the relaxing, yet upbeat, feel-good song.

Fool’s Gold - Surprise Hotel (Fool’s Gold, IAMSOUND Records, 2009)

The next song is by an afro-pop band from California. It uses tropical guitar rhythms and drums, it is fast-paced and fun! They are influenced by South African and Ethiopian music and often sing in Hebrew. This song makes you want to move, it’s exciting and the drum beats are interspersed with lyrics it’s impossible to understand except for the fact that they sound improvised and carefree. The horns give the song a bit of Caribbean groove. This song draws upon the music of many different regions worldwide, which have come together in San Francisco to make their listeners dance.

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr. Blue Sky (Out of the Blue, Jet/Columbia, 1977)

ELO sure knows how to get people smiling. Mr. Blue Sky is upbeat, with vocals telling the listener that “It’s a beautiful new day” and “Welcome to the human race!” The strong piano chords synched with rock & roll drums and a synthesizer have a bouncy sound and it’s impossible to not feel happy when this classic song from the 1970s is playing. These guys from the United Kingdom really immersed themselves in the sounds of their time, with the result of crossing the pond and getting people excited. The inspiration for this song came when frontman Jeff Lynne, isolated in a chalet in the Swiss Alps, emerged from a 2-week long depression after torrential rain finally cleared up and the sun came out. No one can resist a smile on the first sunny day of spring!

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream (Walking on a Dream, EMI, 2008)

In the same vein as Mr. Blue Sky, the song Walking On A Dream is an exciting, futuristic tune that seems to be continuously building towards something thrilling. It creates an air of anticipation… “We are always running for the thrill of it, thrill of it” makes the listener want to join in and run or dance right beside the guys in Empire Of The Sun. They are two Australians with an 80s synth throw-back.

Explosions In The Sky - Your Hand In Mine (w/ strings) (Friday Night Lights, Hip-O Select, 2004)

This track is an instrumental post-rock song taken from the soundtrack to the football movie Friday Night Lights. It is a hopeful, inspiring song, like love in aural form. The strings give it an ambient touch. Explosions In The Sky are from Austin, Texas, the same place the movie is set. The guitars sing out in beautiful, atmospheric ways, as people soon discovered they could use the same instruments as rock & roll but create a totally different, orchestral sound.

Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (What a Wonderful World, ABC Records, 1968)

This song is an American classic. Although it did not immediately become popular when it was released in 1968, it gained much popularity over the decades and in the present is a widely known and loved song, which has been covered by multiple artists. Louis Armstrong sings in his his familiar, scratchy and bluesy voice, instilling calm and hope in those who hear it. The song brings about appreciation for the world and those around you.

The Beach Boys - Wouldn’t It Be Nice (Pet Sounds, Capitol, 1966)

This song, if you listen to the lyrics, is a very sad song. That being said, it sounds so incredibly happy. Brian Wilson sings of the frustrations of youth, and using the power of imagination to overcome the desire to be old enough to do whatever you want, whether it be to “run away and get married” or “hold each other close the whole night through”. This song has the classic pop-rock sound of the sixties, using harmonies and horns to spice it up and get the listener’s toes tapping.

Mumford & Sons - The Banjolin Song (Mumford & Sons EP, Universal Island, 2008)

True to form folk music has changed little over time, although something about modern folk and bluegrass has a much fuller, rounder sound than the old school stuff. Maybe it’s more advanced recording technology. Whatever it is, this song from the London band Mumford & Sons is bound to cheer up anybody on a cloudy day. They sing of recovery, and the brighter times that are sure to be ahead, all through the jangling banjo and guitar, and even mandolin strumming.

Bob Marley - Three Little Birds (Exodus, Tuff Gong, 1980)

Bob Marley popularized roots reggae music in the United States. He brought his music and Rastafari from Jamaica in the 1960s. This song says “Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna be alright.” It has a comforting, sunny disposition. It is mellow and happy.

Dick Dale - Let’s Go Trippin’ (Surfer’s Choice, Deltone, 1961)

This is 1950s surf rock, and it’s awesome. Classic rock & roll but with a California beach feel. It’s pure, clean, and fun. Dick Dale was a main influence for many legendary guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen, however, his surf rock was far more laid back than those who he influenced. He was one of the first artists to experiment with reverberation and his style became classic American surf rock. It’s impossible to listen to this and not feel good.

Enigma - Return To Innocence (The Cross of Changes, Virgin/EMI, 1994)

Released in 1994, this new age, ambient song is based on aboriginal Taiwanese chants but is combined with english lyrics and and electronic music to create an uplifting, vibrant sound. This song somehow makes one feel as if no matter what, everything is going to be okay in life. This song reached international fame in the 90s and continues to inspire people today. The message of this song is, if we all join together for peace, we can change the world!

Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell - Dueling Banjos (Reuben’s Train, Warner Bros. Records, 1973)

Probably one of the most well-known bluegrass songs, Dueling Banjos is a fast, toe-tapping classic. This version was recorded for the film Deliverance. It starts out like the American classic Yankee Doodle but quickly speeds off excitedly into a finger-picking explosion of banjo. It spurs feelings of patriotism and joy, and was number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks.

M83 - Midnight City (Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, Naïve, 2011)

Midnight City is the perfect song for driving through a cityscape at, well, midnight. It combines 80s synth pop with jazzy saxophones. It inspires movement, whether it be a bobbing head or waving arms. M83 is an electronic, shoegaze band from France. However, songs of theirs have been used in American movie trailers and they’ve continuously gained popularity among the current indie music scene since their appearance.

Tycho - Dive (Dive, Ghostly International, 2011)

As one YouTube commenter put it, “This song makes me wanna dive off the worlds atmosphere and in slow motion touch each cloud there is in the sky” [sic]. One listen and you’ll understand why. This is feel good music at its finest. Tycho, from San Francisco, is an electronic artist, however, he combines that with live instrumentation (guitar, bass, and drums) at his live shows. His music has a nostalgic, calm feel.

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole - Panini Puakea (Alone in IZ World, Mountain Apple Company, 2001)

This man has delighted many thousands of people with his ukulele and his soft voice. He mixed indigenous Hawaiian music with traditional folk music, and is best known for his Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World cover. However, this song, sung in Hawaiian, has far less nostalgic connotations and therefore can inspire or relax, and bring calmness to those who listen to it.

Animal Collective - My Girls (Merriweather Post Pavilion, Domino, 2009)

Animal Collective is an experimental band, sometimes called “freak folk”. Their song My Girls features loops, heavy drums, and is a psychedelic party in your eardrums. Don’t let that scare you though, just let yourself be drawn into the excitement, and enjoy yourself. At first the music seems repetitive, but within the repetition it changes and develops and turns into ear candy.

Pilote - Turtle (Bonobo Remix) (Single, Self-released, 2011)

Anyone who needs to step back from life, relax, and forget about all their stresses and their worries needs to put on the best set of headphones they own and listen to this song. The whistling in the song brings a cheery element to an otherwise very chill, smooth song. Pilote is known as folktronica, basically a blending of folk music and electronic. It oozes good feelings.

Moar Jive - Gramatik (Beatz & Pieces Vol 1., Pretty Lights Music, 2011)

Funky hip-hop sounds define this song. It contains elements of swing as well. Gramatik hails from Slovenia where he became obsessed with the sounds of American hip hop and that led him to become one of the best producers of electro-swing. This is dancin’ music.

Bibio - Lovers’ Carvings (Ambivalence Avenue, Warp, 2010)

This song has elements of folk and classic guitar and evokes pure happiness the way the first warm and sunny day of summer does. Bibio was called “the antidote to the modern laptopia of pristine electronic music” by Marcus Eoin of Boards of Canada. He uses analog recorders, giving his music a signature scratchy sound, that adds to the peacefulness and nostalgia of his songs.

Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla (Takk…, EMI, 2005)

Possibly the most uplifting song of all time, from an Icelandic post-rock, ambient group. The song title is Icelandic for “hopping into puddles.” Piano and strings build up to a wondrous explosion of drums, singing, and horns. Although most Americans cannot understand the words, the air of mystery only adds to the song’s beauty. Listening to this song brings an automatic happy feeling.

This collection of twenty songs from around the world all connect back to American musical soundscapes, and to my own personal audiotopia. They inspire feelings of happiness, although they are all different in style, genre, time period, and place of origin. Music has the power to change and define the world, if people let themselves be drawn into it.

Bassnectar - Verbing the Noun so many good sounds

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:39:36 -0400

Bassnectar - Verbing the Noun

so many good sounds

The perfect song for a warm, relaxing, sunny spring day like...

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:23:54 -0400

The perfect song for a warm, relaxing, sunny spring day like today.

last.fm

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:07:29 -0400

last.fm

Someone whose musical tastes I thoroughly admire introduced me...

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:28:02 -0500

Someone whose musical tastes I thoroughly admire introduced me to Portico Quartet a couple weeks ago. They are described as modern-, contemporary-, and post-jazz. It’s very melodic, a little glitchy, and definitely worth spending hours listening. Especially wonderful about it is their use of a hang, a recently invented instrument similar to a steel drum, that, if I could somehow own, I would play constantly. It’s amazing.

DownTemple Dub: Remixed is the latest offering of otherworldly...

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:46:32 -0500

DownTemple Dub: Remixed is the latest offering of otherworldly down-tempo and psy-chill grooves from the Desert Dwellers. On this release, sound alchemists from around the globe have provided their unique production skills to the DownTemple Dub project. These classic Desert Dwellers yoga dub tracks have been re-imagined by some of the most forward thinking producers in the ethno-electronic scene, resulting in a genre bending journey of sonic bliss - the perfect accompaniment to your movement meditation. Like sonic incense, these spellbinding soundscapes burn with a boldly modern sound reverberating with echoes of our tribal past and future.

01. Point of Awakening (Androcell Remix) 8:09
02. Crossing Beyond (Duke Mushrooom Remix) 5:52
03. More than Anything (Love and Light Remix) 4:02
04. Tala Odyssey (Drumspyder Remix) 6:10
05. Bodhi Mandala (Drumspyder Remix) 6:19
06. Dragon’s Mist (Kaminanda Re-mist) 7:55
07. Lotus Heart (Kalya Scintilla Remix) 6:42
08. Pranafestation (Eccodek Remix) 6:25
09. Sukhavati (EarthRise SoundSystem Remix) 6:22
10. Yoga Dub Mystic (Eastern Sun Remix) 5:22
11. You Can See Forever (Aes Dana Remix) 6:19

Album produced by Amani Friend
Original music by Amani Friend, Rara Avis, and Treavor Moontribe
Mastering by Gregor at Earresistible
Artwork by Michael Divine

www.desertdwellers.org :: www.whiteswanrecords.com