Little Known Gems To Try!

I thought I’d lighten the mood a little with this post. I’ve been incredibly intense the last few months!! The extreme ups and downs, the intensity, the drama, the frustration, confusion, joy, excitement and hope and sorrow. It’s all real but while I don’t get a break from the overwhelming nature of my “emotions” this blog sure can!!!

So seeing as I have a one track mind let’s talk .... shock, horror.... music!!! I thought I’d share some bands & songs you’ve probably never heard of that are cool, fun or both! I’m an IDEAS person so if you check them out try to listen for the concepts, sounds, ideas or original vibe that made me like them. Listening to music like everything else must be learned and it can be done in many ways. Listening to it technically is a great skill to have and takes years of experience to develop but so does listening to it creatively and it’s a far less studied method. So give it a try and I promise if you learn how you’ll never EVER be bored listening to music again. You can’t be!!!

Let’s kick it off with something totally daft and seriously fun! Don’t let this put you off trying the rest if you don’t like it. I love this song because it stands out but it’s an acquired taste! It’s what I meant by enjoying the creativity.

Dead Man Live - Rhino & The Ranters

https://open.spotify.com/track/0v0f17CeH3Zfvzbw82HHpx?si=kVb2vr0pSMa43-xfYyxtzg

Next some atmosphere and “feels”, look out at the rain, let your mind wander and feel the dream.

Lloyd - The Lane

https://open.spotify.com/track/1Zf7FWlAAw6Eo7WqJdcDat?si=HiFT_5gYRyenTy9LM87q0Q

This’ll put a spring in your step! Funky and really fresh feeling.

Funk Engine - Kaphunk

https://open.spotify.com/track/58rYtG6GrEb25SX6mBz9tj?si=JYHQcJJER4uOhzt9qG3Fkg

Beautiful, soothing Jazz that just melts my heart every time I hear it. Recommended to me by a teacher and it’s my favourite Jazz song ever, one of my favourite songs ever in fact.

Theo Travis Quartet - Shore Thing

https://open.spotify.com/track/69b9uofc6UtUXPLZ0LKxS4?si=8fV7xdS-QHKPOPMCASJ3Rg

Funky pop with kick arse bass ... seriously its one of those tracks that gets better as it goes on. It’s so catchy and feel good!!!

Barbudo - Magnolia Mansion

https://open.spotify.com/track/56kY2AwXEx8XRNxp2C3yOA?si=kYpD80RhSQiqhP6HsbbRaw

Goth rock with fresh take on old school sounds. I love how this songs moves so well without ever going anywhere!! I find myself desperate for a drum fill and yet so satisfied in never getting one, I’m waiting for the change that never comes and I’m glad. It’s intense but relaxing.

Actors - Strangers

https://open.spotify.com/track/0sv1hKZJ17mg3lyX7tsvrd?si=Qiqkiov4TyWSqU4VYMHaaQ

That’s enough for now!!! Don’t forget that if you hate music there’s a lot of value in figuring out why. Music is like people, it’s takes us a while to get to know it, find what makes it different and enjoy it for those differences. Over time the more you do it the more difference you’ll recognise until you can take two almost identical songs in any genre and to you’ll they’ll sound completely different. Keep studying and you’ll learn to create your own ideas while you listen and each time you hear a song it will be slightly different. Keep listening, keep enjoying it and keep challenging yourself!

Just remember if you find yourself struggling to find music you like, think it all sounds the same, listen to less and less genres instead of more & more... maybe it’s not the music that’s causing the problem. After all I can’t find the time to listen to my backlog of saved music, keep enjoying my thousands of favourites and continue to dig up more and more. Stay open and work on your listening skills as you would your playing skills and it will repay you.