One of my biggest inspirations in writing and composing music is Matt Hayles, an english composer and song writer. Matt, known mostly by his stage name ‘Aqualung’, is most famous for UK hits like “Strange and Beautiful” or US hits like “Brighter Than Sunshine“, both of which are responsible for my unhealthy obsession of his use of chrods and arrangement on sound.
Give his latest album a listen on iTunes here.
Remember that cool kid in 8th grade? The one everyone wanted to give their cheese sandwich to in exchange for their friendship (or soul)? Samantha Barbie is her. I think its fair to say Im a people person. I love meeting new people. But if someone paid me a million Milano cookies to tell the truth, I’d have to say one of my favorite new people I’ve met in the last few months would be Sam.
She may not know this but she is one of the few people who inspire me if not everyday, at least a few days out of the week. She’s right up there with Steve Jobs, Layla Robinson and Matt Hayes. We can’t help but be attracted to the charismatic energy people demonstrate and the confidence the posses. Its something we all want and enjoy.
Sam was originally a student at a music school I was affiliated with. After her piano lesson one day she wondered into my office in her rain-boots, where I was playing my guitar, and boldly asked me to teach her. Of course, I accepted. Me being the guy I was and eager to teach the art of the acoustic guitar we began free lessons which continue to this day. Sam has learned so much in the short few months we’ve known each other and I look forward to learning from her every week.
The Funny, daring, sexy, talented, witty, curious, smart and of course drop dead gorgeous Sam! She’s exactly what thousands of men like me are looking for in a woman these days. There aren’t much girls like this in Bermuda. Ill give my left arm for a clone machine right about now. Anyone?
Breakfast pots banging in the second story kitchen above my head. Annoying sounds of my MSN Messenger buddies trying to get my attention. The sound of my TV on mute from the previous night. These are the sounds of my Sunday mornings (and yes, my television does make a sound while muted. I’ve been meaning to get that fixed).
Those sounds are never my choice to wake to, but if I’d had a choice every Sunday before this one, I’d have chosen to hear Sia Furler’s voice easily waking me out of my slumber.
Sia is a Australian pop singer with a truly amazing style and mind blowing voice to go with it. Though she hasn’t been in the music scene commercially for years now, she is still one of my favorite artist. Her music had/has the potential to move millions of copies worldwide, especially after signing a recording contract for 3 albums.
The last we heard from her was the songs “Breathe Me” and “Sunday“. Where is she now? Is she planning an album for 2008? Is she working at a Starbucks in Brazil? Who knows?
I recently came across some of her latest. Yes, her latest in a few sessions at a US college. Again, Im in love with Sia all over again. I like to think she’s coming back. I’ve posted a few of the session’s YouTube links below for your pleasure.
Day Too Soon by Sia Furler [link]
Buttons by Sia Furler [link]
Lentil by Sia Furler [link]
Sunday by Sia Furler [link]
Okay class. The first person who could tell me the difference between a peanut and George Bush? Anyone? Okay, bad question. But seriously, when it comes to this years most original musician and artist, the answer is just as obvious.
Regina Spektor was born in Moscow, but has been evolving musically from the age of nine since her and her family moved to the Bronx in New York . Her unusual style and remarkable ability to captivate audiences with her voice and ’sound’ has been her ticket to success in the music business.
Im only 2 decades, 1 year old, but for as far back as I could remember, again - which isn’t far, I cannot think of another artist who has put a kung-fu grip on my heart.
Where I went to school alternative, rock and classical music were never genres you had discussions about while skipping Miss. Fraiser’s math class with friends. Well, unless of course you were me and you were used to getting funny looks. Sure, I was different. I mean, Eminem is a great artist and all, even wanted to dye my hair like him once. But I’ve always been attracted to alternative forms of music opposed to what we know in most public schools here as the norm. I tried so hard to fit in with kids my age who idolized 50-Cent and took magic markers to their undeveloped abs to imitate the “THUG LIFE’ tattoo 2-Pac so proudly wore. I’d have gave the last of my soggy cornbeef sandwich and sun-warmed juicebox for a chance to hang with the popular kids. The ones who wore their pants on their knees and refused to where the school tie. They knew the hip-hop slang which I guess pretty much made them all that and a bag a doritos.
Im older now. Im comfortable listening to artist like Regina. On an island of 60,000 people. Its so exciting meeting new folks who have acquired taste in the genres I’m interested in. Those are the kind who most likely enjoy coffee and fine arts also. Just like me.
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