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
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…
King of the New World (432hz) – Last Bee on Earth
19 November 2019
What are you guilty of?
I’m guilty of getting this playlist wrong.
To be clear – while every artist and track are here on their own merits – this mea culpa has nothing to do with their process – but with mine…
By the Light of Dawn – Jon Meyer
11 November 2019
There’s nothing like falling into a creative hole – it doesn’t matter what you’re doing – whether you’re writing a novel, a symphony or leading a community – it’s never the falling in that’s the hard part – it’s the climbing out that scares the shit out of you – what if you never make it…?
Armour – Tanya Ransom
8 November 2019
And I’m ready to fight
And I’m ready to fight
And I’m ready to fight
you tonight
tonight, tonight, tonight
Oh hell yes! ‘Cos that’s the ultimate truth isn’t it – at the end of day – there’s only one person that’s going to get you out of the hole…
When I Lie – Richie Charles
30 October 2019
The problem with any kind of mental disorder – the kind of thing that grief is especially good at kick starting – is that it’s not visible, not tangible, it’s misunderstood and misdiagnosed and treatment options are scary. Not only that – there’s a stigma around it – a level of shame – that we’re going to be forever tainted and mistrusted and god forbid that anyone should find out…
A Place Of Peace (Star’s Song) – Al Gilliom
23 October 2019
Sometimes it’s terrifying to create – which is ridiculous really but – sometimes that’s just how it is. I know this is probably more relevant to people writing creatively for a living rather than people writing essays for a grade – but the underlying mechanisms aren’t too dissimilar…
Song 26 – Callum McIntyre
16 October 2019
Why is it so bloody hard at times?
Why do the lessons learned before offer no solutions to the same problems?
Why do you sit there with a laundry list of things to do and yet – you’re stuck – immobile – watching every second tick away and add to the ever increasing mountain of guilt and self loathing and fear…
Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) – John Lennon
9 October 2019
Music to Grieve To doesn’t always have to be sad – in fact – Music to Grieve To can be anything you want it to be. The whole point of this – for me anyway – is that music makes life better – and when you’re grieving – having something that can make the slightest difference – is worth it….