When I meet people that know I’m a singer/songwriter, most ask me what kind of music I write. The question I enjoy answering most is “What kind of music do you listen to?” My typical answer sounds something like, “Sam Cooke, Freddie Mercury, Chris Cornell, Sarah McLachlan… and a band named In Flames.” Right about then is where I get a “HUH?!” because they’ve either 1) never heard of the band, or 2) because they have heard of the band and are stunned. It’s a shock factor that I love having and I’m lucky to get to share my eclectic taste through this playlist!
In Flames, a Swedish death-metal band, was introduced to me by friends back in 2000. They’re rough, tough, loud… and absolutely stellar musicians! Having been trained to play classical piano myself, I could hear a foundation of classical influences beneath their sound, and it drew my attention instantly. Give a listen to some of their most popular songs and you will hear powerfully insightful lyrics on a bed of highly skilled instrumentation. “Pallar Anders Visa” is a perfect example of that classical influence and is a hauntingly beautiful piece.
So what have we learned here lost souls? Beauty lies beneath tough exteriors, and toughness lies beneath beautiful exteriors.
You can learn more about In Flames here:
Learn more about the Curator, Belinda M.
Named after Belinda Carlisle, solo artist and lead singer for The Go-Gos, making music has always been second nature to Belinda M. Growing up in a household that was largely influenced by Filipino culture, it was impossible for her to avoid belting out a few tunes into a karaoke mic at an early age. After her parents discovered she could play piano by ear at age 4, lessons promptly began. She later started writing poetry and playing guitar, which eventually lead to her becoming a singer/songwriter.
For Belinda, writing and listening to music has always been an essential creative outlet and place of solace. She released her debut EP, “I’m Not Broken” in October 2016, and continues to write and release new music. Her lyrics have been recognized by “American Songwriter Magazine” and her music is featured on the award-winning “Women Of Substance Radio and Podcast.” Check out Belinda’s music and learn more at www.belindammusic.com