Sigur Ros Tribute

Ok, so to me or anyone that knows me musically well, this post was inevitable. It would be utterly impossible for me to run a blog a bout music I like to share with people and not highlight my rabid affection and appreciation for all that is Sigur Ros. I have been singing their praises (in English, as I have yet to graduate from Hopelandic 101) since I first heard of them 6 or 7 years ago. Their album "( )" was there for me to carry me through some really trying emotional times. There is hope and beauty underneath the sadness and melancholy and vice versa as both moods struggle for dominance throughout the album. I love that when I listen to the songs on this particular album, maybe because I don't understand the language of the lyrics, I bring whatever I want to the music and find whatever I am looking for whether it be hopeful, bitter, or comforting.

The band's interpretation of their music in the art form of music videos offers a lot to many of their songs as well (which is a rarity in the biz, fer sure). I will include 3 links to what are in my opinion some of their more intriguing work. i think a good intro to Sigur Ros is to catch a glimpse of some of their videos and feel the multimedia effects that the band is so gifted and consistent in providing to fans. Then I would suggest listening to just the audio of "( )" and so how it feels to you and what it offers to you for return to what you bring to it. Lastly if I might suggest screening their DVD "Heima" for an even more thorough appreciation of the band by glimpsing some of their interviews, live performance footage and snapshots of their Icelandic roots.

Sigur Ros is not consistently number 1 in my playlist form week to week, but their endurance on top of my music mountain and the way their songs can transport me to where I was then and how they fit me now is magical in mind. If you look them up online you will find lots of interesting info on their dialect, theory artistic integrity and values as well as their unique history. Let me know what you think and thanks for stopping by.

1) Sigur Ros - "Untitled #1 (Vaka)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcq-kDhLG50&feature=related

2) Sigur Ros - "Hoppipola"
http://vimeo.com/3986821

3) Sigur Ros - "Svefn-G-Englar"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWiJWLiSKro&feature=related

The Shape of Things to Come (stream of consciousness connections)

Initially my thought was that every post would have a theme and that the music I was going to share would be based on that theme. However, I like the idea of letting the songs suggest a theme and making it a true synthetic project. So this post begins with music I like to share with people by the National. I would definately consider this band to be amongst my favourites (at least at the moment anyway). I think to appreciate their sound, approach and to get the most authentic experiecnce of their music as possible through the web I suggest you check out a video of them performing live on CBC radio's Q program. Below is a link to the National performing "Runaway" on Q back in May 2009.

The National inspired fan Hannah Georgas to compose a song all about going to see the band in concert to take in the inspired, and genuine music that rings clear when they perform. Hannah Georgas is up and coming I think would be fair to say at least in Canada. one of her better songs is the tribute to the National included in the link below. Hannah Georgas recent popularity in Canada will be bolstered by her being chosen to write a song for the 2010 Great Canadian Song Quest. My appreciation for Georgas was ignited by her recording for the Song Quest.

Similarly last year around this time I found myself captivated by Hey Rosetta's winning contribution to the 2009 Great Canadian Sing Quest. This was my first exposure to Hey Rosetta and I quickly looked them up online and liked a good quantity of their music. Below is a link to their song for the Song Quest which led me to liking them. Enjoy the tunes and thanks for stopping in. Remember to feel free to share your opinion or own music interests with me if you have time. I love finding new to me music and am constantly in awe of the talent that lies in all corners of our world on stage and in garages or bedrooms with the door just ajar enough for the sounds to sneak out and try to tug on an open ear.

1) the National - "Runaway" (live on CBC's Q)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjskJAKeJdM

2) Hannah Georgas - "the National"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fDnx7sBeZg

3) Hey Rosetta - "Old Crow Black Night Stand Still"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQZaNfzw9CM

Group of Seven

My friend Adam is a really talented musician. Like Lauren O' Connell mentioned in the last post, Adam plays a variety of instruments himself and does all of his own writing, and recording independently. Adam is way smart because while some of us were out drinking and trying to do whatever it is we thought everyone was supposed to be doing, he was hunkering down and working on his music, and even today he continues to grow as a musician. I will include a link to one of his videos, but to get a true sense of where he is at now, you should check out his CBC Radio3 page where you can listen to his latest tunes: http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/group-of-seven 

Group of Seven - Tahiti Treat

Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by.