Logan Lynn - Hologram

Lately I've been doing a lot of introspection and a bit of retrospection as well.  I've been pushing myself to look at the world through different eyes to see what change I can effect opposed to what I can sit by and allow to make the changes for me.  It's important to realize that nothing is given to us and the important things in our lives are things that we have fought for.  They are what hurt the worst when they are ripped away from us because we have put forth effort.  If you just float by and don't stand for what's important to you then you're just going to fade into the background.  You're going to go unnoticed and you're going to simply passed over.

Portland, Oregon artist Logan Lynn posits a similar situation in his song, "Hologram".  It's been a while since this track was released but I just recently found him and that's all that matters.  If you've got no one that reflects all that is good in you, then are you actually there?  If you're not being challenged and reciprocated is there any purpose.  It's easy to get by on your own but when you have someone to share it with, it makes the process of simply being so much more.  Knowing yourself and being comfortable in your own skin/space is important but it's not much of a life if you're always alone.  Chunky, granola style beats and quirky melodic progression through this fantastic synth track bring out the independence in Logan's vocals.  It's brilliantly put together and it leaves you feeling a bit more introspective than when you started.

Logan on the Web

http://www.LoganLynnMusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoganLynnPDX
BandCamp: http://loganlynn.bandcamp.com/
Twitter: @LoganLynn
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tramp-stamps-and-birthmarks/id582735839

Hayden Chance - Anatomy of a Wish

I know this has been primarily a music blog for a long time, but as I said a couple posts ago; it's now going to be about things that inspire me and nothing has inspired me more lately than the writing of independent author, Hayden Chance.  Hayden is a Chicago native and has surrounded himself with words his whole adult life.  Not finding the books he wanted to read on his local bookstore shelves, he decided to write them himself.  Here is the review I published on several book sites about his latest book, "Anatomy of a Wish"

There are too many authors in the world that write with far too much pretense. Hayden Chance isn't one of those people. What he set out to do in the beginning of this book is fully realized by the end. I picked up this book on a whim and I simply could not put it down. From the time I started it to the time I turned the last page, there was no where else I wanted to be. It's been a very long time since I had an author instill such a hunger in me (pun intended). He writes with a voice that is familiar and easy. You feel like you've known his characters and as an extension, Hayden himself for a very long time. These are people that you've encountered and you like them. You get to know and care about his characters quickly. I think if I had to pick a criticism, the book wasn't long enough. I didn't get to spend enough time with them. And that says to me there needs to be a sequel or four. I couldn't believe how quickly I fell for these people. There is an "a-ha" moment in the book and it actually made my heart soar when I read it. That's a quality that I also haven't felt in a long time. I lost all track of time as I was drawn into his part of Chicago.

I don't want to do a synopsis of the book, there are plenty of those out there. What I do want to say is this a story that I didn't expect to go where it went. There were honest to goodness twists and turns I did not expect and not once did I ever feel the ideas behind the writing were overworked or gratuitous. It's almost like every word put to paper was done because it needed to be there. It was deliberate but had a beautiful sense of ease to it. I gush because I am left with an amazing feeling after completing this book. And for that, I am grateful.

I found Hayden by chance on Facebook and started looking into his works and decided, what the hell. And I am damn glad that I did. I went ahead and bought Year of the Bull as a follow up because he has quickly found a place in my favorite author category. I am recommending and gifting Anatomy of a Wish to all of my friends who are readers because they will devour this book. I think if the rest of his works are as amazing as this one, Mr. Chase has cemented a place in my library as long as he continues to write.
If you're a fan of a little fantasy with your fiction, then don't miss out on this terrific book. There is so much I want to say about this but it's your turn now. Pick up the book and spend not near enough time with Griff, Jimmy, Reina and Hector. You'll be glad you did because it's worth it.

London Grammar - Nightcall

One of the most amazing parts of the movie Drive was the soundtrack.  Nightcall by Kavinsky was one of the songs on the soundtrack that just stood out as a phenomenal piece of music.  It fit the movie's tone and overall feeling fantastically.  It was deeply melodic and moody and a bit broken, just like the Driver.  So what happens if you strip the electronica away from it and add Hannah Reid of London Grammar's vocals.  It changes the song into something more than it was.  It becomes even more haunting and melodic.  Hannah has an incredible depth to her vocals that just hit you right in your feels.  I cannot recommend this cover enough.

Doug Repetti - Make the Most

There's a point when music stops being simply music and becomes something more.  Something inspiring, thought provoking, something that makes you stop what you're doing and listen.  It's magic when it comes together and doesn't seem like the artist tried.  When it's effortless and easy is when you know that something great has been created.  If it's laborious and overwrought then you have to wonder who the artist was trying to prove something to.  Doug Repetti is an artist that easily walks the line between musician and artist and he does it with such aplomb that you are simply taken aback by what he's created.  I've watched this video now over and over and each time I watch it, I get a sense of the headspace that he travels in.

The message is simple and elegant.  We are only here for a brief amount of time and in that time, it is our responsibility to make the most with what we're given.  It's our free will and our own individual motivations that drive us to do what we can with what we are given.  I think it sometimes takes someone reminding us of this when we actually look at our lives and say, you know...the small things that I've been sweating so hard...aren't that important after all. Now, I'm not saying that this video has made me reevaluate my life or make broad sweeping statements about how I'm going to change to be better, but it did make me say...hmmm.  Maybe I am stressing out about the wrong things.

Doug Repetti may not have an international following but he is someone that deserves a listen.  It's guys like him that don't take themselves too seriously and create art for the sake of creating art that make this a better place.

Lectrolips - NSA

When I first saw the title, I was thinking about all the controversy in the media lately over all the government meddling in sharing of information over the internet so I assumed the initials were National Security Agency.  It took less than 20 seconds to realize I was wrong.  This song is fantastic.  It's subversive without being sleazy.  It makes me want Lectrolips to tour with Liquid Diet.  It makes me dance. It makes me move. It's built in incredible levels.  If you just close your eyes and let it wash over you, it's a hell of an electro track.  It just makes you move.  If you listen to the lyrics, it's a bit cheeky and a bit camp.  It's expertly crafted, not a note missing or out of place.  Ant and Leo have created another brilliant track.  It's got a feel of a mixed media project with how the vocals are placed against the spoken portion.  I think I hear something new each time I listen to it.

I don't know how popular these guys are in the UK but I want them to be gigantic because they make great music.  It's quality work that makes you want to hear more.  They have a strong point of view and don't shy away from it.  That creates a desire for me to hear more and to want to throw money at them.

Jhameel - Fiesty

I've decided to take this blog in a bit of a different direction.  From now on, my posts aren't going to be about quantity.  It's going to be about inspiration.  I only want to write about artists that inspire me.  That being said, if you've followed this blog for any length of time, you know what a fan of Jhameel I've become.  He just had a successful kickstarter for his next project and I was one of the first backers ponying up my cash to make sure he succeeded.  So as a tease/fantastic marketing move, he's released the first video from the album and it's Jhameel doing what he does best.  Be himself.  It's a fantastic song and it's got a bit more of an urban feel, I mean since he is rapping in it but damn he does a helluva job doing it.  It's sexy and it's easy and you just slip into it and let him do his thing.  He's probably the best artist in the past 5 years that you don't know about.  Trust me.  I know what I'm talking about.  He's amazing.  You're doing yourself a disservice by not being a fan.