White Wine In The Sun – Tim Minchin

So – before we go any further – you should know that this one is for my Dad. 

He died in 2015 and I miss him immensely.  He was as flawed as the rest of us, but I remember him as just, a really good man.  Husband for 51 years, father of three super capable children, Obstetrician & Gynecologist, served his country in the Air Force, lover of books, of music, of humanity, of laughter, of hard work and perseverance – I am incredibly grateful for what he gave me and thankful to have been his son.

tim minchin white wine in the sun

Before – Elif Çağlar

Elif Çağlar Türkiye’de cazın en önde gelen isimlerinden birisi, belki de en iyisi. 2 yıl önce onu canlı izleyebilme şansını yakalayabilen sınırlı sayıda insandan biri olduğum için seviniyorum. Çünkü müziği kulaklık takmadan duyulmalı. Queens College’taki lisanüstü eğitiminden sonra New York’ta birçok hatrı sayılır mekanda konserler verdiğini biliyoruz. 2015’te Aaron Parks, Harish Raghavan ve Eric Harland gibi önemli caz sanatçılarının katkılarıyla Misfit adlı albümünü piyasaya çıkardı ve bana göre Türkiye’nin en başarılı caz vokali olduğunu da kanıtlamış oldu.

Somewhere over the Rainbow – Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwoʻole

We jellyfish love islands, and a great many of us make our home around the islands of Hawaii.  There, from the clear blue waters where Hawaii lives, many of us once heard a voice so pure and beautiful ring out from the land, we will never forget it.  That was the voice of Iz.  

An Interview With Nigel Powell By Julia Maehner

Nigel Powell is a pretty sincere man. Although I only got to interview him via email, his answers ring with a clarity and honesty that’s pretty damn impressive. His portfolio is pretty impressive, also. He’s been a part of Frank Turner’s touring band The Sleeping Souls for ever now and working on several projects on when he’s not on the road. The Sad Song Co. is the one project where he’s most himself and doesn’t depend on the vision of others. Powell’s new record Worth is due February 9, 2018. It’s a collection of songs that flow seamlessly into one another, in spite of the impressive eclectic songwriting style he displays. While a solemn prog rock vibe is the thread holding them together, Powell plays with whimsical pop arrangements, minimal synthesizer rhythms and sweeping guitar solos to craft his intricate music. 

Q: You use a lot of spiritual imagery in your lyrics. How does religion influence your songwriting?

What You Make Of It – The Sad Song Co.

There is so much music out there, and I listen to a lot of it. Still, I’m really grateful for the submissions that come into my inbox via the Music to Conquer Mountains landing page. One of them was a submission by Nigel Powell, mastermind of the project The Sad Song Co. He submitted his new single, “What You Make Of It”, a sweeping progressive rock “Anthem” that reminded me of Genesis’ Lamb Lies Down On Broadway and prog metal masters Tool and Opeth. 

Rain – Uriah Heep

Those of you who have lived in different parts of the world know that rain is different wherever you are. I remember what it was like in the Ohio Valley: when it rained, it really poured. In Finland, you don’t get rain like that, not even close. Over here, it’s mostly drizzle – at least in comparison. However, the thing that doesn’t change, as per your location, is what happens in our minds when we look out the window on a rainy day…

Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) – Aretha Franklin

With her heart-wrenching vocals, pristine tone and divine notes, Aretha Franklin is rightfully called the “Queen of Soul.” With roots in gospel, she started her secular music career in the early 60s, but didn’t really strike gold until the late 60s, with her first #1 “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)”. From that point on, she ruled the charts until the mid-80s with a plethora of unforgettable hits…

Ouroboros – Morosity

“They say a garden is to be a world unto itself. It had better make room for the darker shades of feeling. In the vibrant garden scape that is the MPLS music scene, a scene that prides itself on positivity, MOROSITY provides that vital touch of gray. Cool, dark, and sulky” says the members of the Minneapolis based band, Morosity. And they are not wrong. The alternative rock and psychedelic folk rock band provides that introspective touch of sound that the world is hungry for. 

Conscious Love – Louis Landon

Serenity, sense of completeness, tranquility. This is what you’ll feel listening to this track. The melody surrounds you, and is able to heal every fear you could feel in your soul.

I Really Don’t Care – Bilal

I can’t think of a better track title for the Music to Forget Your Troubles playlist than “I Really Don’t Care.” This track from Bilal is off of his 2015 album, “In Another Life.” I’m also a huge fan of the producer of this album, the prolific Adrian Younge, who also played a majority of the instruments on the album. The sounds are a throwback to 60’s and 70’s funk and soul, with the unique falsetto, classically trained R’n’B vocals of Bilal.

anemone – slenderbodies

This track took me a little to like, but now I can’t enough of it. At first I was intrigued by the breezy unique voice, but now I couldn’t imagine the song any different way. It talks about liking it better underwater and the whole vibe of the song does sound underwater inspired…

Work On – Mike West

Something that’s been missing from a Million Miles is a solid Blues track’s, but fortunately I was handed one this week from the talented Mike West out of Liverpool UK.

In Mike’s former life he kicked off his career in a Thrash/Metal outfit, so at times, I’m sure you’ll recognise the tough gravel vocals and how it’s been used to Mike’s advantage whilst he continues to keep it real with his acoustic, Alt Country, Blues and roots flavours.