This week's track is a little different in that it isn't what you would typically call a sad song - but then not every track on the Music to Grieve To playlist is going to be morose or downbeat. Tracks make this list because they're great at evoking emotion - the songs on Cathal Flaherty's recent EP The Head & Heart are brilliant at this.
These are the kind of songs you fall in love with - that you fall in love to - that you share with your partner as they become the soundtrack to your romance. But - if you're unlucky - they're also the songs you'll listen to at the end - when you're remembering how good things used to be - when you're mourning the loss of a shared future that once upon a time looked amazing.
We caught the end of Cathal's set at Whelan's pub in Dublin a couple of weeks ago and I was blown away by his performance. Alone on stage with a guitar, keyboard and loop pedal he was a huge presence and his songs filled the room. But it was his voice that stuck in my head - it's rare that an artist sounds better live than on the record - not that I'm saying the EP is bad - it isn't - it's great - he's just very good live - and that's a good thing.
We've had the CD on heavy rotation in the car (the only place we have to play it,) and have fallen in love with all the tracks - A Thousand Miles is probably the most commercial with its stunning vocal hook and guitar picking but it's the chorus hook of Two Hearts that crawls under my skin and wakes me up at night.
Check him out - he's got a great new video on his Facebook page of a new track called Let you Go - well worth 5 minutes of your time...
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You can learn more about Cathal Flaherty here:
About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
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.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
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You ever find yourself asking that?
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It’s still September. We’re still talking about Suicide. We’re doing this because the experts tell us that the more we talk about it – the more we bring it into the open – the less likely it is that people will go through with it.
And yet – people still do…
Open Letter – Mr. Phelps
11 September 2022
So it’s September – and for the Grieve To list – that means our thoughts turn to suicide.
Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
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 be creative and brilliant 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’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.