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
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…
A Little Rain Has Never Hurt No One – a balladeer
11 December 2019
One of my favorite lines from last year was:
“inspirational quotes – in quotes – make me want to throw up – preferably on the person who posted them.”
It was Autumn Dawn Leader’s track that resulted in that particular piece of invective and I’m so grateful to her for the inspiration 🙂
Star Trails – Antartic Wastelands, Somniacs
10 December 2019
I’m all about the wonder of being alive at the moment.
I think this is a good thing – particularly having come off a period where being alive seemed to be a rather depressing experience.
But like any good pendulum – I’m swinging back the other way and damn is it good to be on the planet!…
Love Should Be Loved Again – Liebeskid
5 December 2019
They say love should be loved again, you just have to wait.
A cure is on the way.
They say love can ́t be owned or it can ́t be claimed.
Give up what you cannot have.
Bugger!
Walking in the Air – Fiona Joy (Hawkins)
4 December 2019
While stores and restaurants have been busy hanging decorations the moment the Halloween costumes were stashed away, there’s always been a certain restraint when it comes to radio and how they handle Christmas. Well – I say restraint in that they generally don’t start “Christmas Music” until December 1st – thank God – but after that, restraint goes right out the window as it’s a constant onslaught of Bieber to Band Aid, Bing to Bublé – and that’s just one letter of the alphabet!..
Feel Something – Colin Powers
20 November 2019
What I look for on this list is not outstanding production – outstanding melody – something new – no – what I look for is humanity – is pure authentic honesty – is the expression of what it’s like to be human – to live and reveal the power that loss of love can evoke…