Noname
When I listen to Noname I feel like I’m on an exploration with her, witnessing the intersection of soul with soul music, jazz, hiphop, and poetry.
Read MoreKhruangbin
The vibes emitted by this trio have a unique way of penetrating the mind and releasing the most unconventional of ideas.
Read MoreOn the Nature of Daylight - Max Richter
Music is always playing in the background while we work, but certain songs are carefully curated for the design process. This is one of the songs that allows me to close my eyes, stop what I'm doing, and just breathe.
Read MoreHailu Mergia & Dahlak Band
When we have drudged through the design process, thick with problem solving and careful proportioning, songs like this propel us forward, into the labor intensive, active world of hand craftsmanship.
Read MoreSnoh Aalegra
This is one of those tracks that make it nearly impossible to focus on anything else.
Read MoreThe Wild Reeds
When I first heard these three songwriters singing in a packed little barn in Oregon, their raw talent and pure harmonizing voices gave me and the rest of the crowd the chills.
Read MoreGirl from the North Country
This is the sort of song that just stops you in your tracks, drives a tingling sensation straight up your spine, and gently lays you down into a 3:39 mediation.
Read MoreFuture Islands
I have to admit that when I first heard Future Islands performing at Pickathon 2011, I did not know what to think. The singer, Samuel Herring, had a powerful theatrical performance on stage that was odd and sometimes disturbing, yet also mesmerizing. He would beat his chest and slap his face and pound the stage to emphasize certain lyrics or moments in the songs and get the crowd invested in the performance. I feel that his theatrics were intended to make the crowd feel less subconscious about dancing to the groups somewhat new and unique sound.
Future Islands' music is a mixture of 80's synth, 60's disco, and operatic vocals that combine to form such an intriguing and new sound, that I couldn't help but become entranced by it. The intense emotional depth of the lyrics and vocals of Herring are highlighted by the rather simple melodies expertly played by Gerrit Welmers on the keys and William Cashion on bass.
I'm extremely pleased to see them gaining the recognition they so rightfully deserve.
