Jorg – Monkey Safari

I first heard about Monkey Safari when buying tickets to a techno festival called TH!NK? last summer. The one day festival took place in Leipzig, Germany right on a large lake. Footloose and fancy free festival goers (including this one) waved their arms and swayed their bodies in the water as DJs performed on the stage above. This song never fails to remind me of that magical day (and also put a huge fucking grin on my face.

Summertime Sadness – Asadinho Main Vocal Mix by Lana Del Rey

Throw your hair up real big, beauty queen style, open those damn windows, and then turn this song up as loud as you can. What’s wrong with channeling your inner diva prior to getting down and dirty? 

My Head is A Jungle – Wankelmut and Emma Louise

Wankelmut means fickleness in German which is quite fitting considering I have musical ADD. Yes, that’s me, the “voracious song skipper.” This song however, keeps my head bobbing until the very end. If your house is a jun-gle, jun-gle, this song should help fix that.

Painter In Your Pocket – Destroyer

To me, “Painter In Your Pocket” represents the new confidence, views and creations that evolve with experience.  I find this song interesting because it shows this growth through the eyes of the past.

Castigadas En El Granero – Hinds

I first discovered the Madrid rock band Hinds (then known as Deers) while living abroad. My years in Spain were spent teaching English and I was charmed by the talent, style and rebellious nature of the Spanish youth. Hinds is no exception and reminds me of the inspiration that my students constantly gave me.

Why Won’t They Talk To Me? – Tame Impala

As I create jewelry from home, I occasionally find myself disconnecting from society. This isolation inevitably confirms my need to connect with others. This song encourages me to maintain a healthy balance between my work life and social life.

Goodbye Weekend – Mac Demarco

Choosing to live a less traditional lifestyle is often met with misunderstanding, which many creative people can relate to. This song reinforces my belief in the importance of dismissing these misconceptions.

Heaven is a Bedroom – TV Girl

The more time I spend listening to TV Girl, the more fascinated I become.  I love everything about them, including their lyrics, sound, branding and heavy use of sampling.

I Miss You – Ozymandias

Short, simple and super sweet – it’s the kind of thing I might have written.  Simple arpeggiated bass line with this uncomplicated meandering melody that reminds you of how it feels when you’re wondering, lost after your loved one has gone.

Heal – Tom Odell

“Take my mind and take my pain”

Oh if only that could happen.

The initial seeding of this playlist was dominated by instrumental tracks but this track made it in by the sheer beauty of the vocal – Tom Odell has a fabulous voice.

Loss – music2work2

Loss – when it’s still visceral – when you still think you can call them – when you’re still discombobulated and not sure when it will end.  

Loss – when it colors your every move and burns hot in your heart.

Sadness – music2work2

Have you ever had your family break apart?

I have.

There are a hundred different feelings you go through, none of them good, but the emotion that lingers long after everything else has faded, is sadness.