Posted 34 weeks ago (September 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM) in News
I honestly can't think of a time in my life when music wasn't a big part of my day-to-day. My parents were huge fans and modest collectors, so listening to music was a staple after school, while mom cooked dinner, on long road trips, or even just at night before bed.
If I had to choose…the one album that stands out as the one that began it all has to be Michael Jackson's Thriller. I think any kid born in the early 80's wore the needle down on that record.
In seventh grade, though, I got hold of one of those classic "Get 12 CDs for one cent" promotions and that really kick-started my passion. My current playlist varies a lot due to these early influences as well as my insistent need (or potential curse) to want to look to the future while at the same time looking to the past.
Menahan Street Band / Charles Bradley
A current instrumental super group of soul/funk/afro-beat/jazz inspired artists, these guys bring together a strong arrangement of music that is a taste of years past but retrofitted for today. With only one album (Make the Road by Walking), they've managed to be sampled by an array of hip-hop acts and sparked the career of artist Charles Bradley. Every time I put on this album, I find myself thinking of New York City and all of its stories.
Toro y Moi: Causers of This (2010), Underneath The Pine (2011), Flipping Out EP (2011)
With three ambitious projects in less than two years, Chazwick Bundick, better known as Toro y Moi, has produced a sound all his own. His music is playful, funky, yet well calculated. All three albums complement those late night drives.
Grouplove
This band reminds me of that t-shirt that states "I listen to bands that don't even exist yet." With a underground successful EP and fresh full-length release out, I would venture to say that Grouplove will be a huge break out band for 2011. They're infectious, catchy, and will certainly sell gobs of cars, insurance, and mobile phones as I can anticipate that their songs will be the backdrop for so many product commercials. Grouplove is definitely nostalgic in that amazing summer break making best friends kind of way.
Com Truise
If someone took all of those sounds you heard as a child - PBS bumper music, video games, space cartoons - and sprinkled on some drum beats and a splash of worn tapes, you would get the atmospheric journey that is Com Truise. His latest, Galatic Melt, is the kind of music I put on repeat to do mark-up. It's an album that allows me to focus on the harder problems in development.
Graveyard
No year is complete without a proper rock & roll album. Lucky for me, my dose came early in the year in the form of Graveyard's Hisingsen Blues. This group of Swedish rockers remind you of why 70's style guitar, drums, bass, and a singer who can belt from the depths of his gut matter - very Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin . This album goes on when it's time to get work done and helps me power through those days with endless tasks. It also feels good while going 70+ mph…just saying.
Cut Copy
There is never a need for an excuse to get one's dancing shoes on. Cut Copy’s Zonoscope presents the perfect 80's retro vibe with modern post-punk undertones - great for those days when you feel fidgety in your chair and want to move about in your personal space.
Thurston Moore
As front man for the major music outfit Sonic Youth, the expectation for his solo efforts may be lot of feedback and noise guitars; however, Moore's latest work titled Demolished Thoughts is a classic case of singer-songwriter with classic instrumentation and beautiful lyrics–great for rainy days and late night drives.
To wrap it up, people ask me where I find it all, so I’ll share my three major sources for great music:
- NPR's All Songs Considered
- Fellow music enthusiasts and friends
- Music blogs like First Listen and Stereogum
…and the record store. Yes, I still go to record stores! Has anyone made that t-shirt yet?
–Frank
Frank is Rise’s Lead Visual Designer and when he’s not rocking the jams and making your website a visual powerhouse, he’s trying to hide the pictures of practicing his moves to Billie Jean.