I’ve been putting together these Spotify playlists of what I’m listening to this week basically. Usually it’s friends of mine or just music I like. I thought I’d start posting “liner notes” to help guide you through this journey and hopefully introduce you to some new, great music!
GEOFF BERNER – WHY DON’T WE JUST TAKE THE BILLIONAIRES’ MONEY AWAY?
I’ve met Geoff a few times over the years. He’s based in Vancouver and plays a mean accordion. His songs are generally very biting and definitely gripping and I thought it was apropos to include this tune given how people are asking this question when thinking about Elon Musk buying Twitter.
THIS MAD DESIRE – OPEN HEARTS OPEN MINDS
Of course I am including our new single! I play all the instruments except drums, which are played by my friend Dan Konopka from OK Go. Background vocals are by an intercontinental choir of people that sent in vocals during the pandemic. Some recorded with their phones, some with proper studio gear. All were very much appreciated!
IDA NIELSEN – GO PLAY URSELF
Ida is one of the world’s premier funk bassists and played in Prince’s band for years, and I’ve had a few interactions with her on social media. I’m a huge fan! This music is basically what Prince might have been making had he stuck around.
EVA X – BODY TALK
Eva X plays synthy tunes with a healthy goth element, and this is her new track. She’s also based in Vancouver. We met at an online conference last year. Very cool person!
JOJO WORTHINGTON – THE DIVIDE
I met JoJo a few years ago when we played a gig with The Vaudevillian at the old Homegrown Hamilton. What an epic night that was! At the time, I believe she was based in Kitchener-Waterloo and has since moved to Montreal. We’ve stayed in touch and I’ve seen her a few times when she has been in the area. This is easily her best song I’ve ever heard. And it’s brand new!
BARZIN – BORN YESTERDAY, BORN TOMORROW
Barzin’s one of my oldest friends and though this is an instrumental, I picked it because it’s new and sets up the next song really well, title-wise!
CRASH WORLD – BEFORE & AFTER
This band is also based in Vancouver and this is their lastest. Wow, we are really Vancouver-heavy this week! Anyway, the guitarist Glen MacLeod sings background vocals on our song Open Hearts Open Minds above.
X.ARI – ABDUCTION
I just met X.ARI the other week. She’s from Toronto but based in Los Angeles now. Actually she’s organizing a Music and Mental Health-related festival soonish. If interested, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction. I liked this song of hers because A. it’s cool, and B. I’m also working on a song about aliens so this was almost like a challenge. I have to make my song at least as great!
CRISLYNE – SMILE
We’re friends on Instagram and I cannot remember exactly how we met. Beautiful singer and such an uplifting song!
FITZROVIA – REVERIE (LIVE IN PARIS)
fitzrovia I just became aware of as she and I are in the same Discord. From what I understand, she’s from Germany but living in England and the video for this was filmed at the main library in Paris. She reminds me of Regina Spektor.
SHILPA RAY – LAWSUITS AND SUICIDE
I know literally nothing about this band. When you are making a playlist, Spotify actively suggests songs to include based on what you already have. Sometimes you discover a cool new track. That was the case here and it inspired me to include…
WARREN ZEVON – LAWYERS, GUNS AND MONEY
This is one of the all-time great songs. One of my uncles used to be really into this when it first came out. I’ve covered a song by Warren Zevon that will be released eventually…
EMILY DRIVER – ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Emily is one of many great musicians in the Philadelphia area. For those paying attention, I’ve been secretly trying to meet everyone in Philly. Sometime during the pandemic, I was online dating and had answered the same questions too many times so I started thinking that I was going to start throwing these “interviews” to make them more entertaining for myself. One day, I said to someone that I was going to start saying I was from Philadelphia. Why? No reason. First random city that popped in my head. She said I should start researching people so in Instagram, I put #philadelphiamusic as an interest and quickly met my friend Erica Corbo and a few others. While paying attention to the idea of Philadelphia, I’ve also met Jessica Magoch (who is now a regular collab partner). I don’t know Emily Driver at all but I came across her on instagram the other day under that hashtag.
A BAND CALLED DESIRE – BRING YOUR ARMY
I want to say she is from Toronto but I don’t know for sure. I came across her randomly on TikTok and loved what she was doing with her videos. And let’s be honest, given that we both have the word Desire in our names, we’re pretty much destined to be friends!
THE KILLS – NO WOW
I think this is a new edition of a track I’ve loved since it came out in the 2000s.
JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION – RADIO AD and CHICKEN DOG
Jon Spencer is the man. Nuff said!
If you like this playlist, please share it and follow these artists. Music is the fuel that fills our soul.
If you are an artist that would like to be included in the future, reach out anywhere and I’d love to check out your tunes!
Yours in music,
Mac