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
Warm – Rudegaze
23 July 2020
You know when you’re spoiled for choice, when you have so many options that you end up choosing none of them? There’s an interesting study involving Jam that the Harvard Business Review can tell you about – point being – I’m overwhelmed with amazing tracks that I could put on the essay writing list that I just don’t know where to start…
Calling County Clare – Fiona Joy Hawkins
23 June 2020
Some sheer unabashed emotional manipulation coming your way this week ;-p Yep – if you’re tired of your apartment’s four walls, let alone your roommate (or child’s) disinclination to shower – then I have a treat for you!..
B – Torri in Sabina Ambient Remix – Non-Functional Harmony
18 June 2020
You know those days where for some god unknown reason you wake up and you just know it’s all going to be shit. And sure – we manifest what we project and all that good mental wellbeing stuff but sometimes – no matter how well I rig my defences and man the battlements with productivity tips and inspirational emails – I fail – and so despair climbs over the parapet like an assassin in a medieval movie and quietly slips its blade into my hope…
The Overnight Parade – Lazy Activists
17 June 2020
Ever found yourself singing along to a lyric that in retrospect makes no sense at all – but at the time – couldn’t have been any more perfect? And I don’t mean just singing – I mean throwing your head back and wailing like a drunken banshee as you attempt to expel the pit of grief from your stomach…
Yes! I thought you might have – me too – if so – you’ll probably dig this track…
B 612 – Nhyx
11 June 2020
I don’t know about you but I’m currently looking for energy – for input, for impetus, for encouragement to start – to begin – to beat inertia – know what I mean?
I’m not looking for complex – not looking for something to take me on a journey – I’m looking for something to help me start my own…
Lull Yourself to Sleep – Freya Ward
9 June 2020
Time ticks by, the world changes, people change, culture changes and yet – somethings don’t.
The ebb and flow of joy and grief – both experienced in contrast to the other – is a constant that the human condition will never escape. Right now joy’s in short supply and grief seems to be dominating the planet – but if history tells us anything – it’s that this too shall pass…
Post London – Nick Rezo
15 May 2020
There’s all kinds of music to write to out there – hell, I’m pretty sure we feature all of them on this list – but there are certain styles that have a direct path to the part of my brain that will get me to start writing. Nick Rezo’s Post London is one of them.
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!…