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
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.
Outside – Helen Jane Long
18 October 2017
So this appeared on one of my Spotify “Discover Weekly” playlists – which was cool considering it was sandwiched between an alt country track and an EDM remix. So yeah – Spotify for the win! (with human curation added as a top level!)
Million Dollar Bill – Dawes
17 October 2017
I’m so stoked for this track – it’s from one of my favorite bands – Dawes – I try to see them every time they play Los Angeles – they’re just a great band with a great vibe and the most incredible songwriting.
Flight-Time – Donald Byrd
11 October 2017
I’m being totally cheeky this week and “borrowing / stealing” a track from one of my fellow curators. We have a fabulous new list called “Music to Satisfy Your Inner Jellyfish” and it is as groovily eclectic as the name sounds!