Seeing us through to the end of the year we’ve reached out to a number of our favourite artists and cultural creatives to join us in celebrating good things. A bunch of five things that make their world go around, inspire them or just need celebrating for what they are. There’s no theme here. It’s no kind of "best of year" round-up. These are just five things of the many things identified as making the world a better place to be. We’re all about positivity. Almost all of the time. We promise…
Since 2019, mmeadows, Kristin Slipp and Cole Kamen-Green have offered up singularly fluid, rhythmic, organic and electronic explorations - mapping their way away from pop while circling around and making it matter again, evidenced on their most recent focus track, By Design. Kristin currently works too with indie superstars The Dirty Projectors, while Cole busies himself with the business end of working with those other types of superstars, Beyonce, Diana Ross, Harry Styles, Laurie Anderson, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Taylor Swift, the list is somewhat endless so stopping right there. Enjoy their Bunch of Five y’all…
ERBARM DICH MEIN, O HERRE GOTT
J.S. Bach’s “Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott,” a chorale prelude for organ. This piece has been one my biggest musical influence since I first heard it a handful of years ago. Specifically a recording made by the organist Marie-Claire Alain. Her touch is so delicate, and she plays it slower than other recordings I’ve heard. There’s something about the harmonic structure, the single whole-note melody and the sound of her instrument that hits me in a very deep place.
UNUSUAL MEMES ON YOUTUBE
There are a million funny video accounts, but this one is the best because it’s not violent or degrading. Just a bunch of silly clips, often of animals, lovingly curated by an anonymous someone, who leaves a short nonsensical inspirational message at the end of each compilation. They release a new one every week, and it’s great for a pre-sleep giggle.
THE BEACH
The beach. Any beach. There’s not much that can beat it. When we go to the beach, we take it very seriously. We pack a lunch and snacks, beer (must-have limes and coozies), blankets, towels, chairs, books, kadima, and we stay all day long. Some people can only do a couple hours on the beach. Those are not our people. We’re in the water, body surfing. We’re laying out. We’re taking naps. Collecting shells. Walking. Sitting in warm, blissful silence. Definitely not listening to music. The waves are the music. The beach is one of the best things in life, and it's free!
MY FOOLISH HEART
“My Foolish Heart” from Waltz For Debby by Bill Evans. Specifically the moment starting at 2:52. Evans moves into a triplet motif in the right hand almost suggests Americana, and the band feels the shift, moving in to support. The phrase - both rhythmic and gorgeously melodic- lasts just a moment - an ecstatic gasp - before he falls back into the form and into ballad tempo. It’s a live recording, and I often imagine what it’d feel like to have witnessed such a sublime musical moment.
JIMMY'S CORNER
For this last one I was ABOUT to say psychotherapy, but that almost feels like a given, now - everyone has a shrink, right? And don’t get me wrong, that shit really does make our world go round - it should be at the top of our list, tbh. But instead of saying therapy, I’m talking about a bar! Not just any bar - the best dive bar in NYC. It’s not a secret - it’s been written about at length - but every time I go there I feel like I am the gatekeeper of a magical hidden place where the drinks are $6 and under, the company is diverse, the decor has never been updated, and the service is pleasantly gruff. Jimmy’s Corner is a lifestyle!
Essential Info
- jan5.