Music to Create To - Imogen Heap :: Ellipse

The time has come, my friends. The long awaited, much anticipated album "Ellipse" from Imogen Heap has arrived. And since Monday when I got my pre-release mp3 album it hasn't stopped playing in my car, on my iPod or iMac depending on where I am physically. Not that this is actually possible, but if I had to use one word to describe this album musically it would be "stacatto" (a music term meaning "short detached notes"). Every song is filled with these short bits of melody and layered ambient noise and sound. Even the more sweeping and legato (opposite of stacatto) songs seem like they are created by knitting together small pieces of sound and space to create the illusion of continual sound. What's amazing is that there isn't a feeling of it being choppy or detached or unrelated. It all works together and it's beautiful. Lyrically it's a masterpiece as well. Some songs like "Canvas" I'm still processing. Wondering if there is one interpretation or if I'm supposed to discover my own. Others like "Bad Body Double" are hilarious, straight forward slices of everyday life put to melody, rhythm and rhyme. Truthfully, I could go on and on about this album. I love it. It was well worth the four year wait and I'm hoping and praying that her tour comes within a 5 hour drive of Phoenix. But I'll leave you with her website www.imogenheap.com where you can purchase the album and a little teaser with her first video for the song "Canvas". Enjoy!

Music to Create To - thecurrent.org

A few months ago the wonderfully talented Laura of laurabrownart.com introduced me to a local Minneapolis radio station called The Current. Since then I think I've listened to their live internet stream every day. For hours on end. The Current is a sponsored public radio station (think NPR) and therefore isn't trying to please advertisers with a top 40 music line up. Let's just take a look at the artists recently played in red in the screen shot above, shall we? Imogen (we're on a first name basis), Common (only has a first name), The Dandy Warhols and a couple of other artists I'm not super familiar with, but their songs were rocking. The DJs are fabulous (I swear Mark Wheat is Murray from Flight of the Conchords), they have awesome live in studio performances and I always get jealous hearing of all the killer shows coming to Minneapolis. If you work on a computer all day like I do, you should definitely start streaming thecurrent.org. Now.

Happy listening!

Music to Create To - Comfort Music

I've been listening to a lot of "comfort music" lately. Life has been crazy, chaotic and completely out of my control. It's not all been bad, some of it has been good crazy, but crazy nonetheless. Music is such a powerful force in my life that when things are nut-so it helps keep me grounded and focused. So I've been listening to a lot of Hillsong during times of prayer and meditation and on the completely other end of the spectrum a lot of Damien Rice during moments of work and creativity. I'm not really sure why I'm gravitating towards these two extreme opposites but that's what my ears and heart want to hear. What's your comfort music when life starts to take over?

Music to Create To -Lucy Schwartz :: Winter in June

I first knowingly heard Lucy's music while listening to Paste Magazine's album stream of the soundtrack to the new movie "Adam". I say "knowingly" because apparently this girl makes the rounds when it comes to movie soundtracks. Only 19 years old with the voice and soul of a seasoned music veteran, Lucy Schwartz sounds like the sweet Colbie Callait-esque girl next door did a "Freaky Friday" swap with Carol King. Piano driven with sometimes soft, sometime sultry vocals it's easy to see why she's had such box office success. Hopefully she'll be able to come out from the anonymity of soundtracks and get a bit of the spot light for herself. Listen to her and check out show dates on her myspace and buy her latest album here.

Happy Listening!

Music to Create To - Howling Bells :: Radio Wars

How am I only now discovering Howling Bells? They are from Australia, female vocal lead, and have an absolutely infectious sound. I feel a bit ripped off, but I'm making up for lost time by LOVING their new album. Radio Wars sounds like an album that has been in my favorite album rotation for a couple years, except that it just released this week in North America. Good beats + rock + ethereal soundscapes + crazy good vocals + a little electronica fun = really good music. This will probably be my favorite album until Imogen's releases in late August then that will probably be my favorite for the next 3 years. Check out Howling Bells' myspace page here to preveiw some of their sweet tunes for free and for lots of downloading options and info about the band.

Happy Listening!

Music to Create To - The Rural Alberta Advantage :: Hometowns

I've been working away to the Rural Alberta Advantage a lot the past few weeks. With tunes that are a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll (and a little bit Death Cab and a little bit The Shins) this band remains tight throughout it's diverse sound. The frantic, precise and in your face drumming keeps these songs about, (shock) life in rural Canada, constantly moving forward. I think after a few more weeks the nasally, Billy Corgan-esque voice of lead singer Nils Edenloff will start to wear on me and the RAA will go into a more limited rotation of my "Music to Create To" albums. But until then I'm a big fan. Make sure to give them a listen while their new album "Hometowns" is streaming on Pastemagazine.com. Buy the new album here and visit their website at theraa.com.

Music to Create To - Josh Garrels :: Jacaranda

I'm so so excited to share this week's Music To Create To artist. Josh Garrels is an up and coming indie artist with the vision of Bob Dylan, the soul of a Gospel choir and the sound of the music child of Ben Harper, Joshua Radin, and Robert Randolph. I tend to struggle with music that speaks of faith, social justice and spiritual things because it's difficult to find if it doesn't have either bad music or a bad message. Josh Garrels broke down all of my pre-conseptions almost immediately. His music is rich and sincere and his message shares love to those with out it and confronts the status quo. Favorites tracks are "Rabbit & The Bear" which features a wicked didgeridoo and the soft and beautiful "Don't Wait for Me". Listen to an online stream of his music on his website here, purchase his albums here and check out his website for his lengthy West Coast summer tour.

Happy Listening!

Music to Create To - Paste Magazine Music Sampler

"What does a magazine have to do with music?", you might be asking. (Or maybe you're not, or maybe you already know the answer...anyway.) One of my long time favorite resources for discovering new/new to me musical artists has been Paste Magazine. And my hands down favorite part of Paste is their monthly New Music Sampler that is included with every issue (whether you subscribe or pick it up at B&N). Every month I can expect a cd (well, actually I just choose to download the mp3s) of 20ish songs by some of the greatest musical acts out there. Some of them are old favorites that are still breaking ground creatively (Elvis Costello, Iron & Wine, Indigo Girls) and others quickly become new favorites (Passion Pit, MGMT, White Rabbits). Unfortunately, like many hard copy publications, Paste has been faced with financial troubles the past few months, but seems to be weathering the storm better than some others. Do yourself, your ears, your music collection and your wallet a favor and subscribe to Paste. With digital subcriptions starting at a mere $.99/month including digital downloads of the music sampler, you really can't afford NOT to.

Happy Listening!

Music to Create To - Regina Spektor :: Far

Since I gushed about Regina Spektor and my anticipation for her new release a couple weeks ago, I figured I should follow up with my thoughts now that I've actually listened to (and listened to and listened to) the album. First the good: Regina has freaking lungs. The girl can sing at any dynamic, probably in any key (ok slight exaggeration) and is flawless. She is also an incredible wordsmith and her song writing has really gone to a much deeper, introspective and meaningful place on this album. Oh, there's still the occational vocal percussion and entire chorus sung in dolphin noises, but on the whole these songs seem to have a bigger purpose than say "Sailor Song". At this point, the first single "Laughing With" is my hands down favorite track. It makes me want to cry and smile simultaneously.

The bad: And it kills me to have "the bad" to talk about, but here we go nonetheless. Regina worked with four different producers on this album, and I'm starting to think that may have contributed to the choppy feeling of the album as well as the dulling of her wonderfully quirky edge. There is a definite increase in the "popiness" of her sound and there is nothing on this album that comes close to "On the Radio" or "That Time". And I miss that weirdness. Hopefully this album will bring some new Regina fans into the fold, rack up some record sales and give her record company the cahones to let her have more control over the production next time around.

Until then, buy Far here and look out for Regina's tour dates here.

Music to Create To - Petra Haden

I threw out a little teaser in Monday's post about this episode of Music to Create To. Petra Haden is the musical force behind all of those wonderfully quirky new Toyota Prius commercials. Her music is all acapella and yes, it's all her voice layered on top of each other. I've spent way too much time on her myspace page this week listening to some of the other songs that she has made acapella versions of (her cover of MJ's "Thriller" being my fave). Being the choir geek that I was/am I think it would be way too fun to perform some of her arrangements of these classic pop tunes. Head over to her website for more info and her myspace to be inspired!

Happy listening!

Music to Create To - Diana Krall :: Quiet Nights

In a pretty big departure from what I've been listening to recently, I am smitten with Diana Krall's latest album, "Quiet Nights". I've been a big Diana fan since the first moment I was introduced to her. I mean, that VOICE! It's like the best piece of dark chocolate; smooth, rich, sweet and as soon as you're done, you want some more. Her latest release is an endless tribute to classic songs and that swinging bossa nova rhythm. One of my personal favorites is her rendition of "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face" originally from the musical "My Fair Lady". I also am in love with the retro, paper-cut-out look of the album cover and current web design. Very fun. I've been a bit behind on some projects (again) and can say this album has really been helping me crank some stuff out by fostering a calm and creative atmosphere. Download here and check out her website here for her summer tour info.

Happy listening!

Music to Create To - Upcomming new releases that I just can't wait for!

Ask my who my top 5 musical artists are on any given day and you will probably get a different mix every time. However, there's no doubt that there are two ladies that are mainstays in that group (though their numbered positions may move a bit). And lucky for me, they both have new albums releasing this summer.
Not to be dramatic, but the music of Imogen Heap may have changed my life. I think I played her last album "Speak for Yourself" for six months straight. Then, when I saw her in concert I couldn't believe that she sounded just as good if not better, live. To this day I maintain that her concert is the best I've ever been to. It's been a long four years since that album debuted, but the wait is almost over for some new Imogen tunes. August 4th her new album "Ellipse" will be released, and I'm thinking about making a paper chain to count down the days. Keep up to speed with single and video releases at her website www.imogenheap.co.uk

The second of the "ladies" is Regina Spektor, whose new album "Far" is due to release in just a few short weeks on June 23rd. It took a while for Regina to grow on me...she has got to be one of the most quirky song writers around. But once she did, I was addicted. Sometimes I think it would be a fun creativity inducing project to try and visually interpret her songs, but then I get a headache thinking about it. Head to her myspace page here to listen to new tracks and see the video for her first single "Laughing With".
So, those are the two albums I'm eagerly anticipating this summer. I hope you'll pick them up on iTunes or wherever they're available and do something incredibly creative while listening to them!

Music to Create To - MGMT

MGMT (pronounced "management") is my new I'm-completely-obsessed-with-you band. There are more musical styles on their first full length album titled "Oracular Spectacular" than you could count, yet somehow it comes across as a unified sound. Since I've been struggling for days to figure out how to describe their sound I'm just going to throw some words out there that come to mind as I've been listening: physchedelic, lush, David Bowie, fun, disco, amazing, synth, "can I have some more please"? and Vampire Weekend. The thing I like the best? They're are creative and original, but still accesable to the listener. I'm probably going to get a lot of hate for this, but I don't understand Animal Collective. I've tried. Many times. I don't get it. I get MGMT and I love it. Download here, buy the CD here, visit their website here (which is a total trip and you must visit!).

Happy Listening!

Music to Create To - M. Ward Radio on Pandora

There's been a lot of craziness this week. Multiple design deadlines, a new family member in the house, the LOST season finale (ok, maybe that shouldn't count), preparing for my amazing friend Rose coming to stay with us for a few days, and on and on. I have a tendency when life starts to over whelm me, to just shut down and get paralyzed by it all. So I work hard at making room for calm, peace and balance in my life. All week I have been listening to this M. Ward station on Pandora Radio and it has been helping to keep me productive, on track and sane all week. Some of my most favorite folk/acoustic artists pop up from time to time (Damien Rice, Iron and Wine, Matt Pond PA) and I've discovered a few new-to-me favorites as well (O.C.S, Will Johnson, Famous Last Words). Definitely a good shared station to listen to when times are crazy...not so much when you want to take a nap.

Happy listening!

Music to Create To - Passion Pit

Three things I love about Passion Pit. 1. Their infectious blend of dance/pop. 2. The clapping on their single "Sleepyhead". 3. The stunning artwork on the cover of their EP "Chunk of Change". With a new full length album releasing May 19th this 5 piece band from Boston has some serious momentum behind them. I first discovered their song "Sleepyhead" through iTunes free song of the week. Shortly after, I downloaded the whole EP and have been creating to their music ever since. It's got enough instrumental/vocal balance to make it great music for doing concentrated design work to. I don't get distracted by the lyrics, but I don't feel like I'm listening to Muzac. Listen to a few of their tracks on their Myspace page here and check out their tour dates while you're at it. They're headed all over the world this summer, and sure to be somewhere near you.

Music to Create To - Mates of State

I have this romanticized idea of being in a band with your significant other. Creating and performing together, touring the world, sharing your music...I'm sure it's nothing like reality, but it draws me to these groups that are making it happen. The Submarines, Welcome Wagon, Over the Rhine and now my latest favorite - Mates of State. Their high energy, piano driven music is full of tight vocal harmonies that I doubt my ears will ever tire of. Pick up the cd here or download here and throw this music on when you're trying to package up a ton of orders in a small amount of time. It'll keep you going!

Music to Create To - The Airborne Toxic Event

Another find from the Direct TV broadcast of the SXSW festival, The Airborne Toxic Event has quickly become one of my favorites to create to. I often get "stuck" with my music and will listen to only one band or, even worse, one album for two weeks straight. It's like I have a music craving and nothing else satisfies it, and this is how I've been for a few days with The Airborne Toxic Event. Lots of upbeat, creative rock tunes with catchy hooks that keep playing in my head even after the music has stopped. Having seen them "live" (on tv) I would also agree with many reviews that they are just as good if not better in concert. They are a group of true performers and are a lot of fun to watch. I discovered that they're coming in concert to my part of the world next month and I'm hoping to catch the show. Go here to listen to a few of their tracks for free and then go buy the full album on iTunes here. Enjoy!

Music to Create To - Nina Simone: Remixed & Reimagined

Another favorite rediscovered in the aforementioned music transfer project. This album contains all of the Nina Simone classics like you've never heard them before. There's some up tempo dance songs and a few chill lounge tracks. A good combination of the familiar and the new which makes for a great album to create to. Pick up a copy for yourself here or download the album here.

Music to Crete To - Lenka

The first thing I heard about Lenka is that she was Australian. Having a weakness for everything Australian (bar all of their venomous reptiles and Fosters), I knew I would probably be a fan. Initial prejudices aside, she actually is quite a remarkable musician and I'm falling in love with her happy music. I discovered Lenka through Direct TV's broadcast of some of the concerts from this year's SXSW music festival and was blown away with her live vocals and the fact that her entire band just was smiley and happy. Initially I heard her as a mash up of Regina Spektor (minus the drugs), SIA and Ingrid Michaelson. But the more I listen, the more she's just herself. Unique, original, and happy! We need more happy music these days. Pick up Lenka's new CD here or download here and enjoy creating something as unique and inspiring as her music!

Music to Create To - Sondre Lerche::Two Way Monologue

I've recently undertaken the never ending project of converting all of my music files from my pre-mac days from their wma format to an itunes friendly mp3 format. As daunting as this has been, I have re-discovered a lot of good music and artists that I had forgotten about over the past few months. One that I've been listening to for a couple of weeks while working on Mother's Day designs is Sondre Lerche's "Two Way Monologue" album. Sondre may sound familiar to many of you as the composer of the "Dan in Real Life" sound track. The music on "Two Way Monologue" has a similar sound to it. Lots of fun instrumentation, a kind of relaxed sound, but not to the point where you want to take a nap, and introspective lyrics make for a great album to create to. You can download it for a steal here.