Andrew
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to write creatively without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I believe that music can make the world better.
What I'm doing nowPlaylists
Magdalena’s Song – First the Winter
11 May 2020
I’ve noticed a disturbing trend on the Grieve to list of late where – for one reason or another – the tracks are becoming a little more optimistic – a little more hopeful. And while yes – there are times when that’s appropriate – it’s the sadness of a track that we’re drawn to – the pure melancholy of a love remembered or a life cut short – or – as with this week’s track – both!..
Show On The Road – Tom Freund
18 April 2020
Are we doomed?
Is this how it’s going to be?
Forever?
Damn I hope not…
The Healer – Noah Baerman with Ron Carter and Ben Riley
31 March 2020
I’m writing this at the end of March – typically the time when students are turning their minds to final exams and beginning to get into a writing groove. I know this because April and May are peak streaming months for instrumental music.
You’d think that with the Covid 19 nightmare things would be a little different this year – but apparently no – students may not be going into school, but assignments are still in place and exams are looming.
Experimental Mice – First the Winter
17 March 2020
Do you have hope?
I know – it’s a heavy question – particularly at this time of writing when the corona virus is reshaping the planet – but – maybe because of that – the question has validity.
So…
Do you?
Do you really?
Do you have hope?…
Chasing Neon – Hats Off Gentlemen Its Adequate
12 March 2020
Habits are weird aren’t they – the ones that are good for you are hard to establish and easy to break while the ones that are bad for you – well – yes – hello smack habit!…
Mint Green – Andrew Shapiro
19 February 2020
You know – sometimes – I’m guessing more times than we care to admit – you just have to do the fucking work.
You have to continue showing up – moving the muscles – doing whatever manifestation it is you do – but doing it – even when it brings you no joy.
And that’s a weird ass thing isn’t it?!
To Love – Jon Worthy & The Bends
19 February 2020
I’ve been thinking a lot about Music to Grieve To and and about what kind of playlist I want it to be. The idea is solid – both for the audience – in that listening to sad music is good for you – and for artists because hell, if you can’t write a sad song – then – maybe this game isn’t for you!..
Tolling of the Fire Bell – Fiona Joy Hawkins, Jill Haley, Eugene Friesen
31 January 2020
I just wrote something i’m kinda proud of. Not that I’m a big fan of pride – it being one of the seven deadly sins or so – but – i really had to work at this one – it took me a long time to work out what i wanted to say and – in the process of doing that – it changed me and will change my behavior in the future…
Tolling of the Fire Bell – Fiona Joy Hawkins, Jill Haley, Eugene Friesen
31 January 2020
It’s taken me a while to write this – I don’t know why – maybe it’s because I’m looking at it from the outside in – knowing that I should feel grief for what’s happening – and yet – not quite connecting with it.
It’s not like I don’t have ties to Australia – my sister’s family live in Sydney – I’ve seen pictures of their favorite beach nothing but flames. Hell, I live in California where towns are getting wiped out every year and the idea of LA burning up doesn’t seem so strange…
Music to Fight Evil – 100 Tracks!
30 January 2020
Have you ever listened to Music to Fight Evil?
Have you ever taken time to read the write ups?
I’m writing to highly recommend it!
🙂
On the week that Jon publishes his 100th track I thought it might be cool to throw a little spotlight on one of the true OG playlists on musicto…
There Can Be No Absolution – What After This?
19 December 2019
It’s that time of year again, isn’t it?
For westerners or even caucasian southerners the mood is definitely upbeat as people prepare for Christmas and the new year festivities. But for those who are smack in the middle of the grieving process, it can be brutal…
Body Without Wings – Nomazii
17 December 2019
Sadness is the most underrated emotion and often the most unwanted. The expression “Don’t be Sad” is bandied around like a punctured prophylactic when instead we could be listening and demonstrating true empathy…