A good ass playlist to listen too, is probably just as important as water is in a dry desert full of slow moving tumble weeds. Alright, maybe that was a little far-fetched but you get the idea.
Ever been on holiday and listened to an Album back to back or maybe it was a song that kept coming on that droned into your head over and over and now it always reminds you of that one place or experience? For me, Moby’s 2004 Baby Monkey Album reminds me of Caravanning along the Rocky Mountains in Canada and now, whenever one of his tunes comes along, I’m planted in time right back to that moment. I’d hate to admit it, but even Skatman by John Skatman takes me back to last year’s New York road trip with my best mate with burnt backs, legs, and pretty much lobster everything, fist pumping out the window singing SKI BA BOP BA DOP BOP in full, unapologetic blast.
My recent trip to L.A, i say “recent”…i came back yesterday and i’m writing this now to try and get over my jet leg, determined to stay up. untill. the. bitter. bladdy. end.
The trip got me hearing all sorts of music and in pure me fashion, i can’t let those songs get away. So I thought I’d share a couple of songs that have now been added to my music playlist and have got me reminiscing on warm LA bliss.
Trace, Honey
I heard this in an Uber, yes, an Uber. The Driver had the longest dreadlocks i’d ever seen on a human, picked my mate and i up, after me stumbling in front of his car by a cactus in a trolley in my wooden platforms. We were off to Lake Balboa and I was actually really shocked at his music choice. Anyway, this song came on in his car and it’s melody really relaxed me. It’s not the most happy ‘feel good’ song, but i like its repetitive tender lyrics. For that long drive to Balboa, it definitely got me into a chilled vibe before we ended up at a ranch in a two-seater bicycle…
Lykke Li, I follow Rivers.
This tune got my attention at Venice Beach and i met this amazing woman who was telling me about her life in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles where she overcame alot of prejudice being gay, whose now adopted two boys and is the happiest she’s ever been. This woman was a real hipster, with a fierce spirit and i really loved her “go get it attitude”. This song remained with me for most of the trip and gives me a bit of a kick up the ass when i hear it.
Disclosure Feat London Grammar, Help me Lose my mind.
What a sweet, sweet tune and for me, its a total beach song. Basking in Malibu’s heavy sun on a 99C stores beach towel’s finest babysitting a rucksack and beach ball, this sent me straight off into holiday mode and got me excited about the evenings Pineapple Mojito’s served in a pineapple itself with surfboards and a deep sunset as scenic ambiance.
Beach House, Bluebird.
This is actually a flight song for me. Anyone who knows me, knows Aeroplanes are abit of a challenge for many reasons; the not being able to move much rule, freaky turbulence and long haul wonder. While most people are sat there watching movies on the plane, I’m flickering through all the music albums, getting a taste of as much as i can in the time i have. I think it’s really important to extend your choice and to listen to whatever’s out there, even if it’s not your “thing” because it will help you fine tune what your “thing” is. I was listening to the “Depression Cherry’s” album by Beach House for a good few hours on and off drifting in and out of sleep, which isn’t a surprise with its dreamy beats.
Youth Lagoon, Afternoon.
Again, this song is super dreamy and really ethereal. I have absolutely no idea what they’re saying in these lyrics…but its a real neo-psychedelic band from San Diego. Is it obvious where i’m getting alot of my influences from?
Oh Wonder, Drive.
This is kinda a guilty pleasure, and as pop as i’ll get with this alt-pop duo band. They started off releasing songs on Soundcloud each month and progressed from there. I really like the 70’s styling in the video and it reminds me of the LA desert. Can’t really go wrong.
Now, if my list didn’t get you going OoOoOoOo, what did?
"If music be the food of love, Play on", Said Duke Orsino in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night And he couldn't of been more bang on. Though, now the more i'm thinking about it, was he talking about food?...I digress.
Hands up, I'm an ABSOLOUTE geek when it comes to music and if I love a song I will play it over and over until it pisses my mates off from being on repeat when we're getting ready. When I like a song, I have this urge to know everything about the artist, and where the song was written so each lyric makes sense..(which is when my inner detective comes into play....see, I told you I was a geek.)
My favourite artist of all time is Jeff Buckley. Below is a little picture of Jeff with a hat, because as I've expressed, me and hats. Hats and Jeff. It makes sense. Again, I digress.
Jeff Buckley, Grace, 1994.
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