Andrew

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 now 

Playlists

Rest In Peace – Aron Wright

28 November 2017

Society does a poor job of dealing with grief, particularly in western European culture – it seems as if we’re happier to just tuck it away, not deal with it – to keep it hidden and put on the brave face.  But we all know that’s a  shitty way to cope with it, why wouldn’t we want help? 

Curator Interview: Big inf – Music to Rep New York

25 November 2017

1) Who is Big inf

Big Inf is a Emcee/dj.curator who currently has a New Album called New industry in all Digital music platforms

Sigila Violeta – Vranko Magas

21 November 2017

My general rule is that tracks with lyrics are not the best music to write to ‘cos you get distracted by the words – i.e. they compete for space in your language centers – better to not have them around if you’re looking to create your own.  However – there’s always the expectation to the rule and this track proves it pretty nicely.

All the Way Home – Natalie Migdal

21 November 2017

I really didn’t want to put up another devastating reflection of loss in love this week – with Seepeoples’ mea culpa followed by Heddwen’s unrequited longing – I was kinda hoping for something more morbid… and then I heard Natalie Migdal’s voice.

Where’s the Deluxe Version? – Cliff Martinez

14 November 2017

I know I normally advocate for sticking with one track and putting it on repeat – but where there’s a little more leeway is when you start to play with movie soundtracks.  We already have quite a few soundtracks on this list but I surprised myself that I hadn’t yet put up something from the brilliant Cliff Martinez.

Thin Man – Heddwen

14 November 2017

I was going to introduce this track with a couple of super strong reference artists – but screw that – ‘cos while – if I said those names – you’d immediately go “Oh yes” and forever on associate Heddwen with them – that’s doing these artists a disservice.

Truth – Balmorhea

8 November 2017

It’s been that kind of month so far – I was reflecting on last week’s Aphex Twin super ambient chilled out track and thinking – my god – I need something similar.   However – unlike last week – where I just needed something to calm me down – this week I was ready to work – I needed something to carry me along.

Scapegoat – SeepeopleS

7 November 2017

This track has been in my head for a couple of weeks now – it has well and truly burrowed under my skin and I’m hopelessly in love with it.  Having said that – I’m not sure whether it’s a 100% right for the Grieve to list but I suspect that anyone who’s ever wronged their partner may just resonate with it.

#3 – Selected Ambient Works Volume II – Aphex Twin

1 November 2017

Sometimes all you need is the calming influence of a ridiculously slow, chilled out ambient track and if you’re lucky, everything quietens down and you’re able to hack through the to do list – or even – start that first paragraph.

Memories – music2work2

31 October 2017

This is a track about loss – specifically about the loss of one’s father – a father that was truly and deeply loved.  It is relatively short for a music2work2 track but it stands out for its simplicity and sweetness.

Heavy Goat – Seepeoples

24 October 2017

One of the reasons Musicto playlists are different from the soulless things that get delivered to your phone several times a week – is the writing.  Think about it – when you interact with a playlist on Spotify or Apple there’s no context, there’s no reason as to why you should listen or what to listen for – it’s just served up, track after track like a great big smorgasbord!

A Little Bit Of Everything – Dawes

24 October 2017

Have you ever had a track that quite literally – stopped you in your tracks?  While the opening piano is short and sweet and shows us where the melody is – it’s the opening line, 26 seconds in, that just grabs you and pulls you along for the ride.