Merry Christmas to All

Sending you something a little less traditional this Christmas. Hope you enjoy it. I know we said one song but a medley counts, right?

Bluegrass Christmas Medley : The U.S Army Band

It's been a tiring week, but such a good one. Of all the things I love about December, baking cookies and good Christmas music are somewhere at the top of the list. What is especially exciting to find are artists who instead of covering common Christmas songs, compose new ones. Josh Garrels' Christmas album is such a great example of this. Even the ones he does cover, he makes his own with new arrangements and a variety of instruments. 

This song is my favourite and is probably my most played song this month. I think part of why I love it is because the intro reminds me of something from the Ocean's 11 soundtrack. (Ok not exactly, but a bit similar!)

I know you are really far from home this Christmas. But I hope that the week is a good one for you. (Btw., catch up needed!)
-Tanisha

Gloria : Josh Garrels

Christmas Feels

Hey hey!
If this is a blog about discovering new music, here it is. Jolan made it big on the Voice UK and his career has taken off since then. I couldn't get this Beyonce' song out of my head and found a perfect mix for you this week. Hope you enjoy!
-Sudhir

XO : Jolan

I know we decided that next week would be Christmas week, but I really couldn't help it. I spent the entire day listening to Christmas music yesterday and then went for a lovely concert in a beautiful cathedral last night- all the Christmassy feels. Makes me miss home.

Here's the nicest find from yesterday. Such a warm cover of the song. I read this description of his music from Facebook.

"You can almost hear the landscape in their songs – melodically rich, sweeping pop that washes over and basks you in sunlight." 

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas : Charles William

EDM for the Uninitiated

One of the fun things about new friends is being introduced to their tastes in music. Despite being someone who claims to appreciate all music, I've given EDM quite the cold shoulder. It takes a fellow music lover to convince me otherwise. 

Thanks Dan- we have more things to talk about besides dessert! :)
-Tanisha


I'm a structural engineer hailing from the frozen tundra of Minnesota. I love soccer, ice hockey, red pandas, anything sweet (especially cookie dough) and coincidentally, music. I spent many a year deeply entrenched in rock music but always longing for creative electronic tunes that would lift my soul. In the last decade and the upswing in all things EDM, I slowly followed a progression of vocal trance, trance, chillstep, melodic dubstep, dubstep, then diversifying to drum & bass, future bass, chill out, and trap. I still enjoy all of the above, but today I want to share some of the iconic tunes that brought me into chillstep and melodic dubstep, a move that opened up a whole new world of musical enjoyment.
- Dan

Sit back and let this tune float you across the clouds like a bird on wing. I love the mixture of a joyful tune with lofty, airy vocals. The music itself is fairly unique to the former classical pianist Mitis. It is somewhere between drum & bass, dubstep, chillstep, future bass, and classical. Also notice how the pace of the music tempts you to dance or let your thoughts fly, yet the drum beat itself is quite slow, similar to a dubstep or chillstep tempo, but so unique.

Open Window (feat. Anna Yvette) : Mitis

This now is a true and iconic mix of chillstep and melodic dubstep. Like a vast majority of EDM, the tune is musically driven; the vocals only add to the effect, they are not the focus itself. Perhaps this is what I appreciate in electronic music, the music comes first. The artist hires the vocalist to add to the track, rather than the reverse. They play on the same field. And it is not merely a catchy, poppy vocalist brutalizing your memory, but a wave of sound on which you can ride. And that is how I would describe melodic dubstep, not a jagged rift of sound after the drop (how non-melodic dubstep may sound to the uninitiated), but a smooth wave that compels you to be swayed. And no one provides this melodic drop like Skrux. This specific tune is the work of four separate artists (each one of worthy note in themselves) and a vocalist. It is also my favorite song to test the full range and quality of a superb sound system!

Cosmos (Skrux & Complexion Remix) : Clark Kent & Yinyues

The One Moment

So covers are one thing but when you are able to cover a song to the extent that it sounds like an exceptional new song, then you have talent. Just...listen. Miss you.

-Sudhir

Billie Jean : The Civil Wars

I couldn't wait to share this song on the blog for this week, and was quite amused when you sent me the same song yesterday to listen to. No surprises, it really is that awesome (except for the exploding guitars) :(
OK Go have always made some exceptionally creative music videos. Sometimes, I forget to concentrate on the actual song because the video is so distracting. So today I listened to a bunch of their music without the video, and loved the music too (good lyrics too!)
Glad the music helps cope with your stressful week.
- Tanisha

The One Moment : OK Go

Shower Tunes

Shelby and I have been flatmates for the past 3 months and have bonded over Jantar Mantar exploring, grocery shopping, and chapatti rolling/puffing practice, amongst many things. As a flat, the four of us share our tastes in music over evening cooking, weekend chilling and party planning. Shelby mostly chooses to subject us to her choices through the bathroom door while she jives to them in the shower!
This week she agreed to bring them out of the shower and share her choices with this blog. Lucky us!

Much thanks, Shelby :)

Dinner Time! L-R: Sneha, Shelby, Tanisha and Nou

Hi people,
First time posting so let me introduce myself. Shelby here. I'm a engineer from the US but I've been lucky enough to be Tanisha's roommate for the past 3 months :) I like happy music so let me share a couple favorites from artists that dropped albums earlier this year.

I just found out about Local Natives, but I've listened to and would totally recommend all 3 of their albums! 10 seconds into 'Coins' and I'm sure you'll be hooked as well.

Coins : Local Natives

A happy song from a seemingly insecure musician. The Mowgli's are great!

Freakin' Me Out : The Mowgli's

Chateau Lobby

Hey hey!

SO this is a new tune, not like many others before. Apologies for the awkward lyrics. It is pretty fun though and their other songs are pretty legit too. Take a listen, I think you might like.

-Sudhir

Chateau Lobby : Father John Misty

Hey,

I don't think I listened to enough music last week because I didn't find anything new. This one is from James Vincent McMorrow's new album. Not sure if you've ever listened to him before, hope you like it. I downloaded the album a few weeks ago and even used it as background music for an office dinner party. It's pretty cool, I think.

Rising Water : James Vincent McMorrow

Nights and Days

So this may not be the most exciting song. Definitely out of character for a choice I would send you but the lyrics make it pretty interesting. I would recommend having them open when you listen to it.
Hope your week has been good.
- Sudhir

:)

By Night : Puzzle Muteson

Hey you,
Interesting song choice for sure- read the lyrics while I listened.
I had a couple songs stocked up the last two weeks, and today I just couldn't remember what they were. Oh well, luckily I found an interesting track (even though the lyrics are a little depressing) today while listening to a soundtrack of a movie I watched last night. It's never too hard to find good music.
Added bonus is that the track has a fun stop motion music video to accompany it.
My week was pretty good despite dying from the pollution in the city! Arrgh- enjoy the clean air in London.
- Tanisha

Day to Day : Eulogies

Good Old Days

It's great to have friends willing to share their music finds with us. This week, our friend from school, Ritvik Carvalho brings three tracks for your Monday playlist.

Ritvik works as a financial journalist in London. He likes a variety of music but especially the "old and classy stuff." You know the type!

Hi Sudhir and Tanisha,
Thanks for letting me do this.
Sudhir, it's been great catching up with you and Vivek in London. Brings back fond memories of old days - prefects in school, Bibles and hymn books, the second "bell" and school captains confusing names of houses leading out of the auditorium.




Island in the Sun : Weezer

It's been a bit of a nostalgic Sunday, and was listening to the kind of stuff we grew up on at school - punk and alternative, mostly. Here's a great track by Weezer, and an equally adorable video. I think this song just makes me crave for carefree childhood and school days more than anything else.

We all had a Nirvana phase back in school, and I've been noting a spate of 'Heart-Shaped Box' covers hit Spotify. It's my favourite Nirvana song, and here are two covers that really stand out -

I've already introduced you to Islandic singer Asgeir. Besides the trademark polished delivery, he lends a slow, meditative feel to the tribute.

Heart-Shaped Box : Asgeir

And here's another slightly upbeat one by South African electro-swing duo Goldfish. Vivek and I attended a concert of theirs in London recently.

Heart-Shaped Box : Goldfish

Here's to not knowing where we're going, but knowing where we've been!
- Ritvik

From Jiu Jitsu to Music

Divya and I go a long way back- back to long summer vacations at neighbouring grandparents homes -climbing trees, hide and seek, and all things that could fit into summer afternoons. When summer ended, we kept in touch with handwritten letters, with more stickers than writing. And when childhood ended, we lost touch until years later we connected again through our love for architecture, travel, food, blogging, and I guess music too!

The whole point of this blog is for friends to share good music and it's awesome to have two friends share their music exchanges here. Thanks Divya and Ed. :)
-Tanisha

Edward: Thank you for having us as guests on your awesome blog! Divya and I met earlier this year while training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). At first, I didn't know what to think of her. But as I was sparring her, I could tell she had a strong fighting spirit, but needed some work on her technical proficiency. So I made it a point to work with her. Since then, we have gotten to know each other more. And I am constantly impressed by how much this young lady has experienced and accomplished in just 27 years - from studying architecture, to aviation and more. Meanwhile, I can barely chew gum and walk at the same time!

Divya: Haha. What an intro! Edward actually works as a detective with local law enforcement. Currently a BJJ purple belt (read: waay more experienced than me), he's also an expert at self-deprecation. He's secretly a ninja who, in his own words, looks "like a 16-year-old kid." He crushes me at BJJ and chess, and I.... eh, I occasionally crush him at verbal sparring? Anyway, in one of our recent banters, we traded songs. And I thought it would be fun to share that exchange with "Monday Mephobics." From two goofy friends in Maryland to you! :)

Grandma's Hands : Bill Withers

My song is called "Grandma's Hands" by Bill Withers. You've definitely heard him before - he sings "Ain't no Sunshine," which is one of my all-time favorites. When I was a child, I used to visit my Uncle Greg on the weekends. I would help him with chores around the house, and we would listen to music from his era. Bill Withers was one of his favorites. So this reminds me of those times. Hope you enjoy it.
-Ed

Il Valzer di Un Giorno (The Waltz of One Day) : Gianmaria Testa

Ed,

That is a beautiful song! Paints such a gentle picture of kindness and care in the most ordinary of circumstances... "old gnarled hands" and all. Very cool that it's tied to memories of your uncle too!

My song is also tied to memories. But this one is of memories of a beautiful place - the Tuscan Valley in Italy. I spent a week there as part of a summer course in college. Unforgettable. So this is my 'Tuscany song.' It's by Gianmaria Testa and in Italian (rough translation: here).

You know how you talk about daydreams being a mental escape? Well, if daydreams needed a soundtrack, this could easily be on the soundtrack for mine.

Saint Joan, the Perfect Stranger

Hey,

Sharing a track from a band I recently discovered- Husky.

When you complete this post, I will probably be in Manali without much internet connection. I downloaded one of their albums and will listen to it on the long bus ride!

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

- Tanisha

Saint Joan : Husky

Hey hey!
I know you may not be the biggest fan of songs that come on the radio but I think this may be an exception. Catchy tune and generally, lifts spirits.

Your choice is exceptional. Hope you enjoyed the rest of their music.

-S

Perfect Strangers : Jonas Blue ft. JP Cooper

Clouds or the Trees

Hey Sudhir,
Saturday night, and I am packing for a project trip to the Himalayas. This song happened to come up on the playlist I was listening to- pretty apt. It's such a simple message- get out there and make each day count! :)

Take to the sky
Open up your eyes and see how far you get in just one day
Take to the sea
And open up your heart and see how far you get atop this place

Just One Day : Mighty Oaks

Hey hey!

Nope, this is not a remake of a Bollywood song. Hope you are having fun on your trip. I think I have found a song for you this week which is equally meaningful. Plus, I know you like the mild folksy songs. Surprisingly, this song (towards the middle) sounds very much like a Mumford and Sons song.

All is Well : Austin Basham

Some Things Don't Need Fancy Titles

T,
Not joking this is by far one of the best finds. I have been listening to him constantly for the last few days. This Icelandic singer singer has a great variety and an exceptional falsetto which he uses when you lease expect it.

Listen to more of his songs. You won't be disappointed.

-S

King and Cross : Asgeir

Hey Sudhir,
Enjoyed your choice. So much evolving in the music choices happening here! Hehe.

Not sure if you have heard this before. Mario, with his awesome taste in music,  shared this on Facebook a while ago. I listened to them and loved them. So here they are- You will love Antwaun Stanley's voice.  
Have an awesome week. 

-Tanisha

Wait for the Moment : Vulfpeck

Monday? Are you Serious?

Open Up Your Eyes: Tristan Pettyman

Fun choice for you for this week. Acoustic version of the original but as you know I am quite a fan of the acoustic covers. This song is just beautiful from her voice to the lyrics. Take a listen.

-S

Are You Serious: Andrew Bird

I needed 'Sunday Morning' music today and was listening to a selection on 8tracks. One of them included a fun track by this guy. I listened to more of his music- quite the talent. This track especially- not sure what genre this is even; some random Spanish flamenco vibe along with the crazy violin and there's even some parts similar to a Brittney Spears song. Can you hear it?

Hope you find some time in your busy week for music listening.

- Tanisha

Monday in England

So since I am in the UK, I thought I would send you a British Folk song. This is beautiful. The lyrics apart, the voices are gorgeous. And the tune is great. You will love it!

Much love,
Sudhir

Sovay : Cristina Crawlay and Kerstein Blodig
(The song is too awesome to allow embedding into the blog- Please listen on YouTube here)

Hey you,
I found one from England too. Such a typical indie type band video- expressionless, geeky with a slightly strange video. But it's great track. Listen on full volume and sing a long to the chorus. Happy Monday! :)
- Tanisha

All This Way - The Magic Gang

Rest Days

Hey,

I heard this song a couple weeks ago. It's so beautifully mellow- from the piano notes, her voice and the slowly moving camera. Lighthouses are one of my favourite things ever- and this being filmed inside one makes me love it more.

I listened to this yesterday again. The last couple weeks have been so rushed and whirlwind-crazy that I decided I needed a complete rest day- sleep, good music and some cooking. Hope you find time for rest in your busy schedule.

Happy Monday and new week.

-Tanisha

Particles : Olafud Arnalds and Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir

Hey hey!

We have been doing this way too long if we start accidentally picking similar songs. I also have a great acoustic song for you. It is a jazzy feel to a classic. Hope you like it. Spotify is a great thing and my selections are going to be waaaay better from now.

Enjoy your week in yet another city. :)

-S


Say a Little Prayer : Lianne La Havas

New Places and New Music

Tanisha,

So much has happened in this past week. Neither of us are in Bangalore anymore and we are on the cusp of new and exciting things. I figured I would find a song which would be good to mark this moment in our lives. I have heard the original before but I actually prefer this cover. Congrats on the start of a new life and cheers to a new phase of Mephobics!

-Sudhir

The Rising : Sting

Hey you,
Almost forgot that today was blog post day. Quite a transition we've both had just the past week. There will be many changes in our lives, but I'm glad that blog won't have to suffer. :)
Heard this song during my travels last week and knew I had to remember to share it with you.

Where is the Heart : Alex Clare

Jazzy Coconut Coffee

Tanisha's Pick:

Three days ago I was sitting in a café in Hanoi, Vietnam called Cong Caphe (see!) famous for its coconut cream coffee. Aside from the cozy interiors and yummy coffee, the were playing this really awesome bossa playlist. Loved it so much I asked and took a picture of the screen playing the music. Here's one from the list. Perfect café music, me thinks.

Billie Jean : Jamie Lancaster and Karen Souza

Sudhir's Pick:

So since we are going to with a little bit of jazz, I thought I would share this song I found recently. It is a song I am embarrassed to have only discovered recently, even though it's been popular for a bit. Enjoy!

The Revolution will not be televised : Gil Scott Heron

Presidential Beats

As one of the youngest presidents to take office, Obama has constantly shown that he is very responsive to the current generation and he and his wife continue to be influencers to pop-culture. For example, the hit musical Hamilton received a lot of attention from the Obamas. This week Obama announced his Summer Playlist on Spotify. Tanisha and Sudhir decided to take a listen and pick their favourites. Take a listen.


Tanisha's Pick-
Listened to Obama's whole playlist twice and loved his collection. This one though was the most interesting of the lot. The style reminded me of the soundtrack of the movie 'The Great Gatsby'- a 1920's twist both in the music and the choreography. Her unique voice really brings the song together to form quite an interesting piece.

Man Like That : Gin Wigmore

Sudhir's Pick-
This is so great. I can totally imagine Obama jamming to this in the Oval office. As the name suggests, the song just oozes smoothness. It's up-tempo and is backed by exceptional soulful voice.
Take a listen.

Smooth Sailing - Leon Bridges

Holiday Time

Monday Mephobics took a break last week to escape the city for mountains and beaches. We are back this week, rejuvenated from the fresh air and relaxation with some great music.

Hey Sudhir,
Last Monday I was up in the Himalayas. Picking a song by a band named Racing Glaciers seems appropriate. The song is interesting-- starts off really slow and mellow and gradually picks up till the end of the song. 
Hope you have a good week ahead. :)

Patient Man : Racing Glaciers

Hey hey!

It still feels like holiday time. Speaking of holiday, I am sending you a tune we discovered this past week while in Goa. It popped up on Spotify on our beach music playlist or something like that.

Hope you enjoy!

Junior Empire : West Coast

Country Run

Hey hey!

So I know you are not the biggest fan of country but I think you might like this one; especially because it is acoustic. Ignore the introduction but enjoy his voice.

-S

Sturgill Simpson

Hey!

I really love A Great Big World. Checked their page today and found this new track of theirs. Such a moving song. Hope you like it. 

Won't Stop Running : A Great Big World

Some Love and Hate

Hey hey!

As you probably know, I love discovering songs from TV show. There is nothing better than a scene unfolding on TV timed to perfectly- chosen music. The Blacklist does this really really well on numerous occassions. This is one of those songs. Hope you likes!

-S

Someone You Love : Tina Dico

Hello!
Took me so long to find a song for this week. Most people have heard this guy's voice from the track 'Runnin'' which he sings with Beyonce. Such a rich powerful voice really needs more fame. Enjoy :)

Love and Hate : Arrow Benjamin

You Don't be Numb!

Hey hey!

So I heard this song recently and couldn't get it out of my head. Mainly because of the original 1963 Lesley Gore song. This track is great because it goes old school and has some decent rap on it.Put it on repeat. I think it will really grow on you. Hope you like it.

- S

You Don't Own Me: Grace





Hey you,
Few more Mondays of posting while we still live in the same city. For the sake of the blog, being in new cities will hopefully open up new ways of music discovery. 
This week's selection was a random find. He hasn't been recording his music for that long. This song is his most popular (for good reason).
Enjoy your week :) 

Numb : Max Jury

Lonely Societies

This Monday (I know it's actually Tuesday!) my music maestro of a friend, Syed has shared two of his favourites. For years and years he has filled up my inbox with his musical finds spanning genres and decades from the well known to the unknown. As always, looking forward to more covers that are better than the original and more strange instrument discoveries! 

Says Syed, 'Music cannot be contained. Just like life, it must be nurtured and shared with those special people' 

I agree.


Angel : Judas Priest

A hall of fame heavy metal band, Judas Priest wrote this gem of a song in their album, Angel of Retribution which is far from their style. A soulful song with a dash of Judas Priest is just perfect for a mellow getaway from the regular.

Society : Eddie Veddar

The lyrics of this song puts your entire existence in question. The constant fight from within yourself of worldly things and what you believe in. The struggle is captured so eloquently in this song and Eddie Veddar's voice takes you to a deep and thoughtful place. 

'We have a greed, with which we have agreed'

A capella is alright, alright, alright

Hey, 
You wanted an A cappella week, so here goes. As a humongous no-instrument, full-harmony lover, I sifted through the BYU, Mike Tomkins, Peter Hollens and their friends videos and then almost picked THIS because I would move to Slovenia just to have a chance to sing with them! 

But I heard this today and it made me laugh so much. A parody of the most well known a capella group these days; Pentatonix, Ylvis took the bap chooaihs and the scooby scoobs and made it quite an act (far better than the Fox song, I think!) 

- Tanisha

A Capella : Ylvis

OK! So the reason I wanted to do accapella was because I heard this exceptional song by a group called Six Appeal. I am proud to say that the original line- up completely comprised of Concordia students. The current one has two - Jordan and Michael. They have travelled around the U.S. and even opened for Andy Grammar. They put on an awesome live show. Oh, yeah. They are also doing one of my favourite songs of all time. Hope you like it.

-S

Iris : Six Appeal