To my dear friends, sorry for lacking on the music front here these past weeks. I blame it on work, vacation, and simply not having any internet connection in large parts of the Yukon and Alaska. To my dear islanders, born or chosen, what is going on up there? First, I came across the wonders…

You use Spotify? You heard of the unambiguously beloved Spotify Wrapped? (No, no worries, it’s not December yet!)For years, I have been dedicating my money and data to Spotify and to balance the sheet, they created a tarot-themed card for me last year, which pats me on the back for being a person that will…

The year is 2006 and Seth Cohen educates a disgruntled Summer Roberts that this is not just “like one guitar and a whole lot of complaining” – it’s Death Cab for Cutie. And yes, they, like him, unironically wear short sleeve shirts over long sleeves. You don’t have to be cool or a water polo…

Back when music broadcasts had their heyday – think 50s and 60s – songs were usually constrained by a number of factors. Initially, when recording mediums were less developed, singles would be recorded onto 45rpm vinyl, which only allowed for about three to four minutes of song. Yeah, you could fit more, but that would…

Ever been cut short? Could have been that you started a project too late, and the deadline came smacking you upside the head. Could be that your picnic in the park took a turn for the worse, when increasing winds announced an unwanted storm. Could be that the first guests to your birthday party came…

The other day, we were talking about music that made it big in the US, despite sporting non-English lyrics. I believe what kicked that off was talking about Rammstein and their 1997 song “Du hast”, which managed to make waves around the globe. Additional mentions were La Bamba (1958 or 1987, for the two most…

You know that music genre you say you don’t like? Chances have it, I say, a lot of that is simply based on not being familiar with the sound. That’s why, I have found, musical enjoyment is a process. We start at one point, something that is similar to what we are comfortable with, an…

Owen, I really tried to find something that would relate to Munich, but apart from the philharmonics there or ‘hardcore’ German Schlager, there are just a few nationally known artists like Sportfreunde Stiller and Münchner Freiheit. All of which have their time and place (so do go check them out), but doesn’t really suit my…

Every now and then, we all need a good bit of cathartic energy, I find. Last week, I was talking about how music choice can be driven, in part, by external influences, such as the weather or really anything happening in day-to-day life. But there is also the other route, where we need a pick-me-up…

“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” is a quote by Pema Chödrön that I love. I read it some time ago on the daily-tear-off Zen calendar that I have had for the past couple of years. It’s simple, clear, and straight-forward – good one to keep in mind.  This week,…