Most people listen to the music of their youth throughout their entire lifetime. Don't want to be a nag, but you're missing out on some really nice tunes.
NOGA EREZ
From Tel Aviv, a four-song set that swings from indie hip-hop to old-school torch singing. She is such a presence, she can own the room while sitting down. Must be the top knot.
I was once told that I have the musical tastes of a 16-year-old girl. My reply was that music industry insiders will tell you that's a good trait to have. Especially if you trying to spot hits before they become hits.
THE REGRETTES
So let's go straight to music written by a 16-year-old girl. Lydia and her bandmates were profiled in Vogue at age 15, so that's saying something. Their sound has evolved over time, from riot grrl punk to this irresistible sort of of power pop.
What's the difference between a good song and a great song? When all is said and done, after a hummable melody and a catchy hook, a killer lyric can make the difference. Below is Lianne la Havas, "What You Don't Do."
LIANNE LA HAVAS
Folks of a certain age will pick up on the Beach Boys homage here.
Below is an example of a changing industry, of a songwriter in a bedroom using social media to gain influence, fame, and eventually, a place in the touring and recording industry.
TESSA VIOLET
The video is an homage to a racy (for the time) 1966 performance by Nancy Sinatra.
Jason Isbell once said the guy who bags your groceries in Nashville might be the best flat picker the world has ever seen. The song from this Nashville band is called "Chapstick."
Coin
So far, 10 years into being an overnight success.
Since a lot of people have never heard of these artists or these songs, it's worth noting some of them have been huge hits in other parts of the world. Such is the case below. The co-star is the city of Paris, playing herself.
Avener (Phoebe Killdeer remix)
I thought the lyric was "the shadow, it grooves," which I thought was very French and very cool. It's actually "the shallower it grows" and it's a song about growing old and knowing time is running short. Okay then!
If popular music is about helping people express their emotions, then this right here is a PhD in longing.
LP
Always had a weakness for songwriters getting a chance to take the stage on their own. LP, real name Laura Pergolizzi, has written tunes for everyone from Cher to the Backstreet Boys.
The pandemic led to some great broadcast concerts, including this one by Tessa Violet and this one by Noga Erez. My favorite, though, is below. They played an entire new album from start to finish, and it sounds as good or better than the studio recording.
London Grammar
The album is "Californian Soil." The lead singer is Hannah Reid. This would fall in the category of "study music" for college kids, an atmospheric background suitable for concentration.
People ask me where I find these artists. There's Radio Paradise, Bill Goldsmith's auditory gem from California, and a great public station out of Minneapolis, The Current. On YouTube there's Seven Beats Music out of Montenegro, and there's YouTube's own curated mix "Left of the Dial." I found this Israeli band below completely by accident, and I don't know why they went straight into my playlist. Just caught my ear, I guess.
Lola Marsh
Here's a band rarity: The duo at the heart of this band spent time as a couple and then went back to being bandmates. That just never happens.
Someday I'll find the time to turn all my faves into Spotify playlists. For now, this is your D.J. signing off with "Good night and good news to you."
