Adoratherapy Chakra Playlists with Music from the Past Decade on Spotify – Interview and links

Years ago, I came across Adoratherapy products in my local Whole Foods here in the Northeast and started building a collection. I had been introduced to chakra energy centers through modern dance and was enjoying aromatherapy as part of a restorative yoga class at my YMCA. I instantly understood thevalue of focusing on myself and my own physical/spiritual needs through the simple act of applying fragrance with intention. Since then, I have reached for a different Chakra Boost scent as I saw fit, giving them as gifts along the way.

That is how I connected to Laura McCann, Found & CEO of Adoratherapy. I had ordered a set for my son’s girlfriend and mentioned that her birthday was coming up soon, so any help expediting the order would be appreciated. My correspondence with Adoratherapy quickly became a full-on conversation as I explained how much I loved the products, and the company’s home Asheville, NC. (I had a blast covering the Moogfest music festival there for PopMatters from 2010 to 2012.)

As a PR/Marketing professional, I offered my expertise to assist the brand but also to indulge my love of creating new music playlists. Over the past decade, I have worked as a consultant while handling writing assignments for PopMatters, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and my own website here where I post playlists as new releases appear. After all, music and arts of all kinds feed the soul and instantly boost the mood. 

Here is my Q&A with Laura:

What’s your process for creating playlists?
I’m always listening for my next favorite song or musical messages that resonate throughout the day. These days I collect new releases in a Spotify playlist before carefully ordering them and calling it cooked, moving on to the next playlist about every two months or so. I like to start with something up – tempo to pull the listener into a musical path that ends in a more meditative state after an hour or so. And you know how you hear a song you haven’t thought about in forever, but it’s exactly what you needed? I love coming across a song that informs my day via lyrics, vibe or taking you back to that time in your life when the song was new.

I’m married to a musician but I’m the music Fan. Before streaming, I created CD compilations of new music and before that, cassette mixtapes. I remember listening to New York City radio as a girl in the Connecticut suburbs (shout out to WPLJ in the 70s and WLIR in the 80s!) It was my constant companion and link to a much larger world, leading me to life in that wicked city – as my Southern grandmother would call it – after college before returning to raise a family. And now radio from all over is easily accessed online 24/7.

A good day for me begins with KEXP’s “John in the Morning” show (10 am to 1 pm EST), where John Richards plays a great mix of new music in Seattle for a far-flung community known as the Morning Faithful, sharing thoughts and requests.

Around noon I’ll switch over to KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” (12 pm to 3 pm EST) where a new DJ duo of Anthony Valadez and Novena Carmél recently took the reins for this acclaimed new music show in L.A. I’ll also check in on KCRW’s Musical Director Anne Litt’s shows over the weekend. And I tune into local station WFUV’s mix of old and new throughout the week (my go-to in the car), catching up on “The Alternate Side” in the Weekend Archives if I missed the Friday night show.

Plus, it's so easy to take all this music with me on the go with apps on my phone. And I can’t wait until these stations can feature live sessions again when things open up. I also keep tabs on favorite bands and record labels through social media and email lists. I follow artists on Bandcamp and Spotify, happily combing through new releases on Fridays.

How did you come up with each Chakra Playlist?
For the Chakra Playlists, I decided to choose music from the last ten years to embrace the theme of discovery with newer music people might not know. I began by digging into my personal stash of ambient music, rereading the intentions for each scent for reference. Then I traveled back in time via my own new music playlists, finding beloved songs to complement each theme. I also kept my ears open per usual, with older songs and new artists presenting themselves as a perfect fit to complete that hour session for each chakra. After playing with sequence, I gave everything a full listen until I was ready to hand things over with pride: 102 artists/bands over eight hours without repeating one.

Do you have a practice of self love and if so please share it?
The only time I’m not listening to music during the day is during work meetings and a morning walk around my little coastal town – this moving meditation clears my mind as thoughts swirl. Then I end the day with a cocktail hour ritual. Heading to the town beach with friends for this makes things extra special, but even alone with a wine spritzer and something to munch on counts. I thoughtfully choose a pretty glass, fun bowl and party napkins. (I have a whole drawer of them!) It’s a great shut-off valve from the day.

I’m also a firm believer in dancing out your ya-yas. Whether to a song blasting in your home or on a dance floor with friends, I find such joy getting lost in movement – “Dance Yrself Clean,” as LCD Soundsystem calls it. (I love veteran indie bands – watch my vantage point during a LCD Soundsystem concert at Terminal 5!) I am known to break out into a dance solo whenever or wherever a song moves me. And as a performer before I even learned how to dance, I like to dance like EVERYONE is watching.

What’s your favorite Chakra Boost? When & where do you boost?
I have to say my favorite Chakra Boost is Motivation. I love the kick of citrus and the intention to become “empowered in all my experiences” (even the ones I’d rather avoid!) But I take time to reflect on the status of all my chakras and choose the Chakra Boost that best serves the current situation. I apply some fragrance into my palms, rub them together and take a deep breath before spreading the fragrance to my pulse points. I’ll apply it in the morning while repeating the intention, going back to it a few times a day.

Which is your favorite Chakra?
Can’t say I have a favorite Chakra, but I am very aware of energy centers spinning within and around me. I was always told I was too sensitive, which led me to believe I should try to become less so. Now there’s even a term for it – being labeled as an "Empath" has me embracing this heightened perception as a part of who I am. One thing I’ve learned during the pandemic is to let go of things I cannot change, cutting myself major slack to get through this health crisis. My collection of Mood Boosts has been such a source of support, signaling a personal check-in every day and providing that lift of scent on the body.

Click here for more about the Adoratherapy Chakra Playlists and listen on SPOTIFY @Adoratherapy

Here's to 2018 – New Releases Ahead by Favorite Bands (David Byrne, Franz Ferdinand, Moby & more)

What a difference a year makes... I combed through the lists of upcoming releases looking for reasons to be hopeful about 2018 and found just a few: Moby, Franz Ferdinand plus all those unreleased tracks by the Gorillaz promised ahead. Then yesterday one of my top musical heroes David Byrne not only announced a new album in 14 years (!) American Utopia but he also gave a talk in NYC entitled "Reasons to Be Cheerful." I tuned into the online stream (archived on Facebook and YouTube), hanging on every word from this wise and witty shaman. Byrne espoused about his latest project, Contemporary Colors, along with answers to world problems large and small. His talk was set to carefully chosen, although some completely random, visuals just like those at groundbreaking concerts as frontman for The Talking Heads. 

Check out the first single from the album "Everybody's Coming to My House" via the video below with fitting artwork of the artist by Doug Henders. This tune produced by longtime pal Brian Eno features danceable beats, poetic lyrics – stream of consciousness, about ordinary but which say much more – and those unmistakable vocals that have been copied, but never exactly replicated. As if 2017 wasn't awesome enough musically with a new album (after many years) from another all time fave band LCD Soundsystem, with this new music on repeat for my ears I am not only cheerful, but one extremely happy music fan. It's simply the same as it ever was!

UPCOMING NEW RELEASES IN 2018:
January 19 – De Lux, More Disco Songs About Love (Innovative Leisure)
January 19 – The Go! Team, Semicircle (Memphis Industries)
January 26 – Django Django, Marble Skies (Ribbon Music)
January 26 – Calexico, The Thread That Keeps Us (Anti-Records) 
February 9 – Franz Ferdinand, Always Ascending (Domino)
February 9 – MGMT, Little Dark Age (Columbia)
March 2 – Moby, Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt (Mute)
March 9 – David Byrne, American Utopia (Todomundo/Nonesuch Records)
March 9 – of Montreal, White is Relic/Irrealis Mood
March 16 – Yo La Tengo, There's a Riot Going On (Matador Records)
March 16 – The Decemberists, I'll Be Your Girl (Columbia)
April 6 – Wye Oak, The Louder I call, The Faster It Runs (Merge)
April 27 – Dr. Dog, Critical Equation (Thirty Tigers)
April 27 – Okkervil River, Rainbow Rain (ATO) 
Gorillaz – TBD
Arctic Monkeys – TBD
Vampire Weekend  – TBD

New Music Sources – Looking For Love At First Listen

Since I'm often asked how I find songs for my playlists, here's a post devoted to new music sources. As soon as one collection is ready with carefully crafted order, I'll start the next one. I like starting with a tune that's makes me want to get up and move to the beat.  From there a musical path meanders along until a spaced out ending, keeping to the old time frame of under 80 minutes which began so it'd fit onto a CD. Although I've been putting out playlists consistently over fifteen years, it all depends on the amount of releases.  I'm thrilled by the hunt, always looking for that love at first listen feeling.

A good day will begin with listening to KEXP's "John in the Morning" show, where John Richards holds court with the "morning faithful." In a wonderfully old school way, he'll tell you about his weekend, talk about the weather and events in the area. The station even fields requests at dj@kexp.org. Around noon I tend to switch over to KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic," which clues me into the outside world with NPR updates on the hour.  Plus both KEXP and KCRW have apps for being on the go – very handy for road trips or at the gym where I'm apt to throw in a few dance moves during my workout anyway. I'm also happy to work that radio dial driving back and forth from CT to MD where my parents lived for over 25 years, from college radio like WFMU, WVUD, WTMD and other local station like Philly's WXPN and Annapolis/Baltimore's WTMD.  

If there's a particular record label with a few of my favorite bands, I'll sign up for their email lists or follow them on social media or Spotify.  For example, I pour over news from Mom + Pop Music and Polyvinyl Record Company among others. You can just visit their websites and follow them on Instagram but I like reminders in my inbox about upcoming releases, tours and especially merch! Some fave bands are followed directly, so I'm sure not to miss anything. Plus I keep an eye on various music outlets: Pitchfork, Consequence of Sound, Stereogum and Rolling Stone. Add in NPR Music and PopMatters, where I have a pile of posts as a past contributor on the music staff.

If the music really resonates, I'll now look for the song in Spotify to put it in the next playlist draft. Once I have about an hour of music, it's time to set the sequencing and call it cooked. But when it comes down to it, this is really about the joy of sharing in discovery of bands and music. See links below and be sure to pony up during the pledge drives to keep public radio music alive and well...

Dive into past New Music Matters Playlists here and this list for online radio listening where you can listen live or in the station's archives:

KEXP.org  Seattle's "John In the Morning" show from 10 - 1 pm EST 

KCRW.com  LA's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" from 12 noon - 3 pm EST

WFUV.org  NYC's "Alternate Side" Fridays from 9 pm to 12 midnight EST 

            

YouTube Playlist of Late Summer 2013 New Music Songs

This time around I quickly found all of the songs from my Late Summer 2013 Playlist on YouTube as official videos, whether with a static image or moving visuals.  It attests to the new notion of putting music on YouTube as a promotional tool, no matter if there's fancy filming along with it or not.

I offer it as a companion piece to the Grooveshark audio, and yet another opportunity to explore new music. Link to the NMMatterscorp YouTube page or click the video below.

Late Summer 2013 New Music Playlist

As if on cue, new releases heated up the summer fun with lush soundtracks courtesy of Washed out, Boards of Canada and Jon Hopkins, plus pop gems from Camera Obscura, Maps and Big Deal.  A retro-tinged Har Mar Superstar, dedicated alt-rockers Primal Scream and indietronica from The Octopus Project round out the latest playlist, while new bands Bear Mountain, Jaqwar Ma and Brazos provide a fine update to any music collection.  Advance singles from Beck and Franz Ferdinand also bring an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year, so dig in.  Link to listen here. 

**EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN NAME EVERY BAND WITH A TIE TO SCOTLAND (ANSWER AT THE END OF THE POST!)

1. “It All Feels Right” – Washed Out

Georgian chillwave musician Ernest Greene is back with a second full-length album, Paracosm, which incorporates over fifty instruments to move beyond sampling.  This single is the first track Greene worked on for the collection and his favorite as it captures the original vision of “daytime” sounding songs.

2. “Right Action” – Franz Ferdinand

Glasgow-based indie rock quartet Franz Ferdinand returns with its fourth studio album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.  From the opening guitar riff, the tune glides along guided by the sultry vocals of Alex Kapranos.

3. “Diamonds” – The Boxer Rebellion

Tennessee native Nathan Nicholson’s heartfelt vocals are a signature part of this indie rock quartet formed in London back in 2001.  “Diamonds” allows an expansive approach to the guitar-driven compositions on the band’s fourth album, Promises.

4. “It’s Alright, It’s OK” – Primal Scream

Scottish alt rock group Primal Scream has released its tenth album since 1982, More Light. This single sends an undeniable “Rock On” message with a breezy approach in Bobby Gillespie’s vocals, backed up by a group sing along complete with empowering hand claps.

5. “How the Ranks Was Won” – Brazos

Martin Crane relocated from Austin, Texas, to Brooklyn for an indie band mentality in his second album, Saltwater.  This beguiling tune tells the tale of a ghost ship with both a bemused detachment and emphasis on melody.

6. “Sharpteeth” – The Octopus Project

This Austin quartet is adding vocals into its experimental mix of indietronica for a welcome human element that slyly enters above the creative fray.  This is the second single from Fever Forms, the band’s fifth album since 1999.

7. “Two Step” – Bear Mountain

Vancouver-based electro-dance band Bear Mountain manipulates synth loops layered with live drums and chopped vocals. Led by frontman Ian Bevis, this irresistible instrumental is the opening track of the band’s debut album, XO.

8. “Come Save Me” – Jagwar Ma

This catchy tune by Australian duo Gabriel Winterfield and Jono Ma is a highlight of the band’s debut album, Howlin.  The solid band sound rocks along with interweaving synths until a slow fade out leaves the listener wanting more.

9. “Yellow Bird” – Pretty Lights

Colorado-based electronic musician Derek Vincent has released the first album of originally produced compositions, A Color Map of the Sun.  “Yellow  Bird” luxuriates in a simple loop of dreamy beats until a female vocal line drifts in above it all.

10. “In Your Car” – Big Deal

London duo Big Deal features Kacey Underwood and Alice Costelloe, with songwriting and vocals shared in tandem.  For the sophomore album, June Gloom, they expand to a full band sound with appealing pop grandeur.

11. “A.M.A.” – Maps

U.K. musician James Chapman has released his third album as Maps, Vicissitude. This song is the first in the collection, with a drum track intro leading the way for synthesizers as mixed by Ken Thomas (M83, Sigur Rós).

12. “Do It Again” – Camera Obscura

Scottish Indie pop quintet Camera Obscura recently released its fifth album since forming in 1999, called Desire Lines. This sunny, feel good single explains why the band maintains such longevity.

13. “Lady, You Shot Me” – Har Mar Superstar

Har Mar Superstar is the stage name of Sean Matthew Tillman, a singer/songwriter from Minnesota.  He has penned tunes for Jennifer Lopez and Kelly Osbourne but shops his own wares in a retro-style for a fifth album, Bye Bye 17.

14. “Nothing’s Changed” – Tricky (featuring Francesca Belmonte)

Tricky (neé Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws) is a U.K. musician as well as an actor. He continues to blends many influences for a tenth studio album, False Idols.

15. “Defriended” – Beck

“Defriended” is a stand alone single announcing Beck’s return to a electronic playground, with the intentions of releasing two albums of new material after 2008’s Modern Guilt.  The tune wavers through a synth-laden landscape with Beck’s familiar plaintive vocals.

16. “Open Eye Signal” – Jon Hopkins

London-based U.K. producer and musician Jon Hopkins has recently released his fourth studio album, Immunity.  This single acts like a tone poem, with a rhythmic pulse that patiently develops throughout this cinematic composition.

17. “Reach for the Dead” – Boards of Canada

Scottish electronica brothers Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin (neé Marcus Eoin Sandison) have created their fourth studio album since 2005, called Tomorrow’s Harvest. Utilizing various vintage instruments and equipment, the duo resumed their investigations into tonality.

DID YOU GUESS 4 BANDS?

1. Franz Ferdinand

2. Primal Scream

3. Camera Obscura

4. Boards of Canada

YouTube Playlist of Summer 2013 New Music Songs

You gotta love the rainbow colored heart by the YouTube logo -- my Summer 2013 New Music playlist yielded mostly official videos this time around. I was hoping for a rockin' live version of Divine Fit's "Ain't That the Way," since they're so awesome on stage (We were lucky enough to catch them early at Moogfest 2012) but I had to use a bootleg of an audio upload. Maybe there will be one to use in the future?

"Modern Jesus" by Portugal. The Man. is represented by a very pared down acoustic version on a small stage for 91X radio in San Diego, California.  However, there were two songs in my collection that just couldn't be represented.  I'll link to the Soundcloud pages for Honeymoon and Secret Colors instead, see below.  Link to the rest of the playist here.

Honeymoon Soundcloud page for "Sure Stuck"

Secret Colors page -- for other songs than the chosen one "King"

Summer 2013 New Music Playlist

Let the summer anthems rule – new tunes by Holy Ghost! and Empire of the Sun pave the way for this latest playlist.  Debut albums from The Olms, Palma Violets and Secret Colors are juxtaposed next to   During the next heat wave, why not cool down by listening to the breezy acoustic strumming of The Olms, ambient music from Eluvium, Bibio’s electronica and more. Link to listen here, enjoy!

1. "Dumb Disco Ideas" -- Holy Ghost!

This single off the upcoming second album, Dynamics, by Holy Ghost! could not have arrived at a better time.  Brooklyn-based synth pop duo Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel capture the seasonal mood to dance, without losing the irony of its history.


2. "Alive" -- Empire of the Sun

The Australian electronic music team of Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele has released their sophomore album, Ice on the Dune.  “Alive” exploits a soaring synth melody over a pulsing dance beat.


3. "Wanna Feel It" -- The Olms

Singer/songwriter Pete Yorn joined together with musician, artist and photographer J.D. King for a new band called The Olms. A warm acoustic vibe masks the discontentment in the lyrics embedded in this song off their self-titled debut album.


4. "Your Life Your Call" – Junip

Swedish folk and psych rock trio Junip are back with their second self-titled album.  “Your Life Your Call” is the single for the collection, featuring the unique vocals of José González.


5. "À Tout à L'heure" – Bibio

English electronic music producer Stephen Wilkinson has released his seventh full-length album, Silver Wilkinson.  This whimsical tune, “À Tout à L'heure,” translates from French to “in a little while.”


6. "Oh Sailor" -- Mr. Little Jeans (featuring The Silverlake Conservatory Music

Youth Chorale)

This single from Norwegian (now based in LA) singer/songwriter Monica Birkeness enlists a children’s choir for endearing background vocals.  The soaring, melodic song will appear on the forthcoming debut album.


7. "In The City" – Caveman

Caveman has released a self-titled sophomore album, which embraces the strength of their guitars and a confident singing by Matt Iwanusa.  The dense instrumentation mirrors this single’s theme of the quintet’s life in New York City.


8. "Miracle Mile" -- Cold War Kids

This indie rock band returns with “Miracle Mile,” the single for a fourth album Dear Miss Lonely Hearts.  Nathan Willet’s raw, heart-on-your-sleeve vocals lead the charge for the quintet from Long Beach, CA.


9. "Ain't That the Way" -- Divine Fits

This North American indie rock quartet formed by Texan Britt Daniel (Spoon) and Canadian Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade) recently released a double-sided single. The band exploys the crunch of a Spoon song with “Ain’t That the Way.”


10. "Modern Jesus" -- Portugal. The Man.

Portland’s quintet Portugal. The Man. returns with a sixth studio album, Evil Friends.  Vocalist John Gourley finds a soulful point of reference for the musical montage of “Modern Jesus.”   


11. "Hurricane" -- MS MR

This NYC duo (pronounced “Miss Mister”), vocalist Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow, met as students at Vassar College.  This alt-art rock meets dream pop single is off their EP, Candy Bar Creep Show. 


12. "Sure Stuck" – Honeymoon

Australian LA-based music producers Aaron Shanahan and Benjamin Plant embrace their love of 60s and 70s psych pop with this new musical project.  This brightly bouncing tune is off a forthcoming debut album, scheduled to drop later this year.


13. "College" -- Rogue Wave

This indie rock quintet from Oakland, California, is back with its fifth album, Nightingale Floors.  Frontman Zach Schwartz (a.k.a. Zach Rogue) overlays his distinctive, laid back vocals for a catchy single about higher education.


14.  "Best of Friends" -- Palma Violets

U.K. indie rock band Palma Violets was recently formed by frontmen Samuel Fryer and Chilli Jesson.  A distinct, fuzzy swagger permeates this lead track off their debut album, ISO.


15. "King" -- Secret Colors

Seattle’s Matt Lawson abandoned his previous guitar-based improvisational methods for writing music with a cheap Yamaha keyboard and pared down composition.  This electronic puzzle of a song is from the new album, Days Off.


16. "Envenom Mettle" – Eluvium

Ambient recording artist Matthew Cooper blends various genres with a steady craftsmanship over seven albums.  This hazy tune is off the latest double album, Nightmare Ending.