One More For Good Measure

Sudhir's choices:
I heard this song twice in the past two days in two movies. I figured it must have been a way for the universe to get it onto our blog. I really liked this slowed down version. I think you will too. Also, the movie is pretty good too. I would recommend it.

Take On Me (Unplugged) : Aha



One of my favourite Indian singer/ songwriters. I think you will like it. Hope you enjoy it!

Betther Than It All : Raghav Meattle

Tanisha's choice:
I watched the movie "Stranger than Fiction" the other day and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would when I started it. Feel good, thought provoking in its simplicity, and such a good cast! 
Anyway, in the movie this song by Wreckless Eric is performed. Yesterday I listened to Cage the Elephant's newest live album and they do a very good cover of the song. 

Whole Wide World (cover) : Cage the Elephant

Slow Hands, No Cry

Tanisha's Pick: This guy performed at the Royal wedding this past week and I was wondering where I had heard the name before and finally remembered he and his equally talented siblings were on Britain's Got Talent a few years ago. Loved this cover - a flawless execution.

No Woman, No Cry : Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Sudhir's Pick: Since we are going with British music for this week, I am sharing this song I heard a few days ago by a former One Directioner. I like the jazzy feel and if you listen to it you can tell exactly why I would be drawn to it. I love how different our music tastes are. The cello piece was exceptional. Enjoy!

Slow Hands : Niall Horan

Lights and Houses

Sudhir's Pick: 

Slowing it down a bit this week. Has a little jazzy feel. Seems perfect for a Boston Legal moment. Hope you like.

Come on Up to the House : Tom Waits

Tanisha's Pick:
Heard this one a while ago. It was a busy week last week and it will be a busier week ahead as the office is finishing off a big project. Thankfully there are weekends for fun things and new places. My brain is a bit fried at the end of the day, this song is a good soother! 

First Light : Dustin Tebbut

Liability

I don't know what it is about this song but it just speaks to me. Sharing the acoustic version this week but you should listen to the record too. Hope you like it.

-S

Liability : Lorde




Hi there,
Good song choice. Her voice is so unique, and her outfit in the video is also..um... unique!
Here's one that came up on the playlist I was listening to the other week. I though he was Indian when I saw his name, but he isn't. Listened to a couple of his newer music, but At the Hop is super catchy, "Cook my in your breakfast, put me on your plate..." 

At the Hop : Devendra Banhart

Music People

The hard drive with all my music stopped working, and with limited internet accessibility and connectivity in Senegal, my usual music listening would need to change. Thankfully my new roommate came to the rescue with her vast collection of Spotify playlists perfect for quiet evenings, spirited weekends, or afternoon wake-up-music at work.

We travelled from opposite directions to arrive in Senegal. This new friendship has come with many perks - kitchen experimenting, beach exploring, salty-lake floating, mice hunting, and everything else that comes with a few months in Senegal. 

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My name is Lauren; I am an adventure-loving civil engineer from the United States, and I’m excited to get the chance to write today’s music midweek post. Though I love music, I’ve never been one of those people who would consider themselves a “music person.” You know the kind I’m talking about – the ones who are constantly forming new playlists, discovering new artists and opening their friends’ eyes to captivating new bands – but I’ve always appreciated such people and sort of aspired to be one. I would consider Tanisha, my current roommate and new friend, here in Senegal to be such a person. We’re both in Senegal for several months working as design professionals, and I have loved learning the art of being a “music person” from Tanisha over the past few months. And now I get to practice that art by sharing with you today.

Prior to coming to Senegal, I worked as a mountain guide in British Columbia leading week-long back-packing trips for youth. I decided to road trip from my home in North Carolina across the US up to BC before my guiding commitment began and enlisted two dear friends and fellow guides to join. We pieced together a circuitous adventure visiting friends and national parks along the way. The first song I’m sharing with you today became a favorite on this trip. We had one rule during our trip: your car seat determined your role in transit, and you must be prepared to meet all role requirements. The driver needed to focus on driving and alerting the group when photo ops and buffalos arose, the person riding in the backseat was in charge of preparing and distributing all snacks and meals, and the person in the passenger seat was required to navigate and DJ. As we entered Grand Teton National Park, my friend appropriately chose “When We Ran” by the National Parks as our drive-up song. I love this song, because of the free spirit it captures and how the blend of voices seems to carry you away to the adventure land of which they are singing. 

As We Ran : The National Parks

The second song I’ve chosen to share with you was introduced to me by one of my guide partners who is definitely a music person. Joseph is a trio girl-band whose lyrics and harmonies always leave me feeling empowered and inspired. Their song “Blood and Tears” is a favorite of mine because these tenacious lyrics remind me that quality relationships of any kind take work. As I travel a lot, it makes it hard to stay connected with friends and family sometimes. Fighting for those relationships across varying time zones has pushed me to see what true grace, love and care mean. Sharing other’s burdens through prayer and intentional conversations has lead to depth and character development in the process. As I look back on some of my most cherished relationships, I see that moments of separation and hardship have lead to the deepest of friendships. 

Blood and Tears : Joseph

Society and Citizens

Sudhir's Pick:
I know this song has a very slow start but gets pretty awesome from the middle onwards. It is a significantly more intense version than when A Flock of Seagulls sang this. I think you might like it :)

I Ran : Hidden Citizens

Tanisha's Pick:
The song I actually wanted to share isn't on YouTube. So, I had to find an alternative. Very bluesy, soulful piece. Hope you like it. 

Society : Alice Phoebe Lou

For an easier week...

Getting back into the swing of things here is not the easiest but good music makes it easier. Here is a new song from an old favourite. I think you will like it. - Sudhir

I Can't Quit - The Vaccines

Here's a track that has everything the perfect indie folk song needs - acoustic instruments, simple harmonies, lyrics about dreams and life simplicities and a music video with natural landscapes! Hope this track helps make your week easier. 
- Tanisha

The Woods - Hollow Coves