#‣ ｡ ● ––– ╱ THE LINE IN A SONG THAT RESONATES WITH YOUR SOUL : AUDIO.

[autisticempathydaemon]

hey hey! idk if this is where I submit for the match up! but I would love to see who you think I'd fit in with! I'm a creative soul who tends to try to develop deep friendships with people above everything. I have a bit of a savior complex as well lol I work hard and play harder, trying to find new adventures to go on with those i care about. I tend to support others before supporting myself, and while im happy to let others open up to me its hard for me to open up in return. the best way i can feel close to someone is deep conversations and being creative with them!

My current fav song has been Maybe IDK by John Bellion, specifically the lyric "i guess if i knew tomorrow i guess i wouldnt need faith"  just the idea of living today to the best you can just because you don't know what will happen tomorrow. the worries of the future should keep you down today

My current fav Redacted audio has to be the Helping your Werewolf bf shift again. Specifically the acting is just so good to me. Erik did an amazing job of portraying Milo's anguish and pain at not being able to shift. Plus the relieved sobs at the end is so satisfying and emotional. 

The one boy i cant get the hype around is Ivan. like sure the yandere thing is somewhat attractive to some, but i just don't like the idea of an actual psychopath being obsessed with me.

my favorite movie is definitely the Secret Life of Walter Mitty by Ben Stiller. its less of a quotable movie and more of i remember every scene very distinctly. its a movie that envelops my own escapism. its beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, and a wholesome story on a rainy day.

my platonic redacted crush has to be Damien. he seems like a blast to interact with and tease. he's a hard worker and is tied close to his goals which i can admire. i would love to body double with him if i had some tasks to get done

space is also 100% my ramble subject when im sleepy, that and greek mythology

My guilty pleasure media is currently the animated shows Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Lego Monkie Kid. despite being kids shows, both of these are beautifully animated and shockingly well written!

I hope that gives you an idea of me! I look forward to who you think i match with!

Hmm, lots of good tidbits of information to consider. You strike me as really thoughtful, really caring, and I think Lasko could really benefit from a partner like that.

A savior complex, from what I understand, is just wanting to help people and make their lives better, and Lasko’s a guidance counselor, so y’all would have that in common. What’s good about pairing two people like that is y’all could keep each other in line, so to speak. Something that’s important when you’re always looking out for other people is to make sure someone is always looking out for you and vice versa. You and Lasko together would always make sure you’re taking care of others, each other, and yourselves.

Another reason I like the two of you together is that you like being creative with one another as a bonding activity. You know what’s the ultimate way to be creative together? Tabletop role playing games! If you don’t already play, Lasko would be so excited to help you with a character sheet, to help you craft a backstory, paint some mini figurines, go out and buy the perfect game dice and notebooks- the greatest combination of nerdy and cute in a couple.

Song:

There now, steady love, so few come and don't go/ Will you won't you, be the one I always know?/ When I'm losing my control, the city spins around/ You're the only one who knows, you slow it down

One, the whole vibe of “you slow me down, I’ll look after you, we’re here for each other” vibes are exactly what I’m picturing for y’all. Also, Lasko and I are around the same age, and I heard this song a lot growing up. I have some weird, like, emotional resonance with it from childhood, and I think Lasko does too. Like, it makes him nostalgic and longing; maybe he always wanted someone to look after and to look after him, and now he’s finally found that in you.

Runner-Ups:

A very reasonable runner-up for you would be Camelopardalis because he would do a great job making sure you balance work and your personal life and that you don’t put others before yourself too much. A more fun runner-up would be Guy because I love sticking that beautiful Creative Writing major with other beautiful, creative people!

note: thank you for waiting, dear, and I hope you like your match-up! 💕

Read this post and send me an ask if you’d like a match-up of your own! 💌

[sunburstsoundlab]

🌈✨ New Music Alert! ✨🌈

We’re excited to announce the release of “Symphony of My Heart,” the latest single from the incredibly talented Evelyn Rivers! 🎶💖

This enchanting track beautifully captures the themes of love and connection, taking you on a heartfelt journey with every note. Evelyn’s soulful voice and poignant lyrics will resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever experienced the magic of love.

🎧 Listen to the official audio now: https://youtu.be/hPt3jzwfzpk

💬 We’d love to hear your thoughts! What emotions does this song evoke for you? Share your favorite lines in the comments below!

Thank you for supporting Evelyn on her musical journey! Your love and encouragement mean the world. 🌟

[charcha-equity]

Elevate Your Playlist With Music Apps Beyond The Beat

Are you tired of humming along to your favorite tunes with only half the lyrics right? Well, fret not! In the vast and diverse landscape of digital music streaming, there emerges a new wave of applications that not only bring the melody to your ears but also unfold the poetic tapestry of lyrics. Join us as we delve into the world beyond the beats, where lyrics take center stage, turning your music-listening experience into a lyrical odyssey. Say goodbye to the guessing game and hello to a deeper, more enriching musical journey.

Unveiling The Melodic Maestros

Amazon Music

Amazon Music, one of the best lyrics apps, showcases real-time lyrics for a visual delight, turning your room into a personal concert hall. With 100 million songs spanning genres, this app adds a profound layer to your musical journey. Enjoy an ad-free experience, unlimited skips, and offline downloads, tailoring your experience effortlessly. Take your favorite tunes on the go with offline downloads, perfect for life's adventures. The app's car mode adapts seamlessly to your road trips, ensuring a safe and enjoyable musical companion. Amazon Music isn't just an app; it's a musical haven, enriching your narrative with lyrics and limitless melodies.

Also Read: Discover Fresh Music Daily With These Apps

Wynk

Wynk, our next contender on the lyrical stage, offers a seamless blend of music and lyrics, creating an immersive experience for music enthusiasts. Whether you're into the pulsating beats of Bollywood or the soul-stirring rhythms of international hits, Wynk accompanies your musical journey with perfectly synchronized lyrics. Dive into the depth of your favorite songs, decoding emotions with every carefully crafted word.

Gaana

Gaana, the rhythmic storyteller in our ensemble, invites you to explore lyrics like never before. As you immerse yourself in its diverse playlists, this application ensures that lyrics are more than words—they're an integral part of your musical voyage. Gaana lets you connect with the soul of a song, making every lyric resonate with your emotions and understanding.

Apple Music

Apple Music, known for its sleek interface and curated playlists, also takes pride in its lyric feature. As you navigate through a vast selection of tracks, the lyrics unfold, syncing perfectly with the rhythm of the music. It's not just a playlist; it's a lyrical odyssey where each verse becomes a cherished companion, adding a new dimension to your music-listening experience.

YouTube Music

YouTube Music, our final maestro in this lyrical symphony, adds a visual spectacle to your auditory experience. While enjoying music videos, the lyrics scroll dynamically, creating a captivating fusion of sound and sight. Explore the world of music with a lyrical dimension that goes beyond the traditional audio realm, offering a unique and visually appealing way to connect with your favorite songs.

Also Read: The Impact Of Music On Productivity And Concentration

Navigating The Lyrical Seas

Lyric Search Magic

Ever had a song stuck in your head but couldn't recall its name? These innovative apps similar to Spotify come to your rescue with their powerful lyric search feature. Simply type a line, and voila! Rediscover lost melodies and sing your heart out with the confidence that comes from having the right words at your fingertips.

Create Your Karaoke Moment

Turn your living room into a karaoke stage with the lyrics at your fingertips. These applications empower you to unleash your inner rockstar, perfecting each note and conquering the lyrics like never before. It's not just about listening; it's about actively participating in the musical journey, turning each session into a memorable, sing-along experience.

Discover The Untold Stories

Lyrics are more than just words; they're narratives waiting to be discovered. Dive into the stories woven into each song, unraveling emotions, and connecting with the artist's expression on a deeper level. These apps provide a gateway to the untold stories behind the lyrics, allowing you to explore the richness of each musical creation.

Also Read: Transform Your Music Listening Experience With These Apps

Conclusion

And there you have it—the key to transforming your music experience from auditory delight to lyrical ecstasy. Embrace the power of lyrics with Amazon Music, Wynk, Gaana, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Let your playlist be more than a collection of beats; let it be a canvas where lyrics paint stories. Elevate your musical journey today, and let the words play the leading role in your melodic escapade.

[fiicklegames]

TAG DROP !

 ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   TURN YOUR SADNESS AND TROUBLES INTO ART  :  PROSE. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   I AM ENDLESSLY CREATING MYSELF  :  LIKENESS. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   SHE LOOKS LIKE I’LL BE WRITING ABOUT HER LATER  :  FREYA. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   THE LINE IN A SONG THAT RESONATES WITH YOUR SOUL  :  AUDIO. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   HE ISN’T HUMAN . . . HE IS ART WITH A HEART  :  AESTHETIC. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   NORMALITY IS A PAVED ROAD  :  MEME. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   EXPLANATION KILLS ART  :  ASK. ‣ ｡ ●  –––     ╱   THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING  :  OOC.        

[dojae-huh]

Were you talking about Jaedo harmonies from Favorite and Mcr recordings? https://twitter.com/today_jaedo/status/1459216644899749891?s=20 https://twitter.com/today_jaedo/status/1450434264240214018?s=20 I listening to the full songs but the harmonies werent obvious tho. Maybe only noticeable in the recording diary uncut with background vocals. Users justjaedo and jaedoloops did god's work and compiled a thread of Jaedo soul partners part from Sticker here but if i'm not wrong Sticker and Favorite used Jaedo's voices back to back with no harmonies https://twitter.com/justjaedo/status/1441059099701964800?s=20

MAW, Resonance, Volcano and some Neo Zone songs were Jaedo's most recent harmonies that I can tell off the top of my head. Make Your Day and Love Song or Love Me Now, or both. Make Your Day, Jet Lag and No Longer live ver. (bc the studio ver. line distribution is as terrible as Without You Chinese ver. imo) are my go to for Jaedo's harmonies in ballads. Call me greedy but I can't get enough of their vocals together 🥺

Link, Link2, Link3

Magic carpet ride and something else. It wasn't background vocals on Do's part, but it was merged with Jae's voice pretty well.

"The rainy night" actually has Tende. This shows how much we, fans, make our impressions based on A-tracks (where the visual information helps to remember the audio better).

Tende are good together because they transition smoothly one into another. Jaehyun-Yuta is always a jump, fore example. JaeDo harmonize nicely because they have a bigger gap than Taeil-Do or Jae-Taeil (in Tende it's' Jae-Taeil-Do/low-middle-high), therefore their voices are easier to distinguish as two layers (0:47).

[jessconrad]

Fine Line by Harry Styles: The Sunshine We Needed Through A Very Dreary Year

Or An Album Review (One Year Later)

On December 13, 2019, Harry Styles graced the world with his second studio album, Fine Line, and I don’t think it has ever left my Recently Played section on my Spotify account since its release.

I honestly don’t know how I would have survived 2020 without this album. As I reflect on everything this year had to offer, I realized this record will always shine through as it is tied to my best memories of the year.

I listened to this album a lot, with three of my five top songs from my Spotify Wrapped coming from Fine Line. (They were “Sunflower, Vol. 6″, “Golden”, and “To Be So Lonely”, respectively, if you were curious!)

I spent dull afternoons in January walking around the freshly snow covered ground on my college campus blasting “Lights Up” in my headphones. This single was released in October 2019, two months prior to the release of Fine Line, and had been a top favorite of mine with its 70s soulful style. Not to mention, the small choir of backup singers and layering synth gave me an almost nostalgic as the Christmas season started to come to an end. This song was all about finding who you are- and I was starting to figure out who I am with it.

The next month I visited Denver for a conference and I began noticing how this record was starting to become the soundtrack to my year. February’s track was “Sunflower, Vol. 6″ where I started to feel my attachment to this song. I am not sure if it was the mesmerizing lyrics, the drums, or even the Indian instrument known as a sitar that made me really hooked to this song... But as I walked through the streets of rainy Denver (which would normally make me feel very gloomy), I couldn’t help grinning from ear-to-ear as I listened to this song. It’s the feel-good musical track you listen to, in whatever mood you’re in.

Sometimes I can’t fathom how apocalyptic March felt. The beginning of March was completely normal, and I was at my peak. Looking back now, I can’t wrap my head around that I attended five live shows within one week during that month. But all good things come to an end, right? And of course suddenly, it all came crashing down. I was sent packing up my college freshman dorm and moved back home with my parents while juggling all my courses remotely. There was a song that I was always replaying though, and that was “Golden.” Arguably one of the most upbeat tracks on Fine Line, next to “Sunflower, Vol. 6,″ but the lyrics say otherwise. As the opening track, it has a very chill pop vibe, but listen closely to the lyrics. The contrast pulls at my heartstrings every. single. time.

“Cherry” and April go hand-in-hand for me. As I continued to navigate my thoughts and feelings with the pandemic, struggling with the course load of online courses, and overall the anxiousness of all the unknowns- “Cherry” was the comfort I needed. With its soft acoustic guitar, it is the perfect song for any in-your-feels playlist. And trust me when I say that the fragility of “Cherry” really helped me when I was in my feels. 

Arguably the biggest summer hit of this year was “Watermelon Sugar,” and my go-to anthem of wanting to feel any normalcy of a summer that I stayed mostly indoors for. I remember when the music video dropped in May, I was grabbing coffee with a friend and begged her to watch the video with me. We sat in her car in the middle of a park, watching the YouTube video count down to the premiere of “Watermelon Sugar”. That “this video is dedicated to touching” opening message made me laugh and realized how truly brilliant Harry’s mind is. The warm, very enjoyable tune made this the perfect summer anthem with its really good electric guitar and slide guitar mixed with the horn. It’s the one song that will stay in your head for weeks.

Another song that feels like summer to me is “Canyon Moon.” In the end of June, I went ‘glamping’ (otherwise known as glamorous camping, we stayed in a very nice tiny house in the middle of the most wooded area that Nebraska could get) with my family. It’s a very upbeat song with a nostalgic feel, and the fun instrument rhythms can’t help but make you beam. The song also experiments with a dulcimer; a musical instrument with a long rounded body and a fretted fingerboard played by bowing, plucking, and strumming. I think this is what makes the song more upbeat and happy, especially the beginning as well as the slide guitar giving it unique sounds throughout. It personally is one of my least favorites on the album, but it does make me think of warm summer days and spending time with family every time I do listen to it.

July was starting to feel a little rough for me again. I was really getting tired of staying indoors and barely seeing any of my friends. I was really longing to go back to school and being around my people again. “To Be So Lonely” was a song that felt like it really understood me. Harry revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that the song was composed on a guitalele, which resembles the sound of guitar, for that light and upbeat tone that the chords give off, backing the lyrics. It’s the perfect song you listen to when you’re sad, and you’re ready to push past it. And I knew that I was ready to push past my sadness because I had one more month until I was surrounded in community.

“Adore You” was the second single of Fine Line that was released. This song is filled with so much love and passion- and it was the same immense feelings I had in August when I got ready to move back to my college town and see all my friends again. As I packed my bags and moved into my sorority house, I constantly played this song. What can I say? This was a really great song to vibe with, especially with the opening keyboard and the consistent bass that you cannot help but groove to!

Out of all the months of this year, surprisingly September was one of my darkest. With only two weeks living into my sorority house, I made the decision to move out for the safety of mine and my family’s health. I moved back in with my parents again during this month, and I felt completely lost. “Falling” had the same underlying message of being lost. This love ballad displays a theme of brokenness and creates a tone of unhappiness- the perfect song for a post-breakup or an in-your-feels playlist. I had this song on repeat more times than I can count- the soft piano setting a broken and lonely tone. 

The beginning of October began to really turn around for me. I moved into an apartment with one of my best friends and I was back in my college town. I was starting to find community again and “Treat People With Kindness” became this month’s anthem. Coined after Harry’s Treat People With Kindness (TPWK) campaign, this song has a 1970s sound and makes you want to dance along with the catchy choir lyrics such as “Maybe we can/Find a place to feel good/And we can treat people with kindness”. The lyrics were very prevalent in my life, especially with the amping news of the presidential election and the continuation of the pandemic. This song was the best reminder to be kind to myself, and those around me. And let’s not forget the conga sound throughout! I believe Queen would have been very proud of this underrated track.

The timeless mature sound of “She” could have not fit November anymore. I celebrated my twentieth birthday this month (which of course included a Harry Styles themed birthday party with my roommate and some close friends). The guitar kicking in at the chorus giving so much emotion to Harry’s voice, and that’s exactly how I felt around my birthday. Lots of emotions. Not to mention, the guitar solo played by Mitch Rowland sounds like it could have been something that was released years ago, with a little modern touch. It’s growing to be one of my personal favorites on the album.

Lastly, we get to December and I felt as if this year was the longest year of my life (but also flown by way too quick). The song that resonated with me most this month was “Fine Line,” the last track of the album (and the longest at 6 minutes and 16 seconds). My favorite memories in December consist of driving around with my friend, looking at all the Christmas lights as we drink hot cocoa and blast “Fine Line”- singing our hearts out to the repetitive lyrics of “we’ll be fine line” and “we’ll be alright.” Harry discussed in an interview with Capital FM that this song would always be the last on the album, and how fitting that I resonated with this song most in the last month of the year. “Fine Line” represents the ups and downs of life, and the thin line that separates the two. This song that includes an orchestra, drums, horn, acoustic guitar, and melodies building in the background, it could not be the most perfect finale to the album- and to the year 2020.

Today is December 13, 2020- exactly one year after Fine Line has been released. Since then, Harry Styles has made headlines from petty to political. He has shown up for Black Lives Matter, cared for our sleeping habits by releasing an audio bedtime story, made us feel confident in wearing whatever we want as he appeared as the first solo male on American Vogue- all while accomplishing some of his greatest achievements with this album: releasing five music videos, being nominated for three Grammys, and climbing the music charts and catching the hearts of critics. 

But Harry accomplished something even greater- he made an album that made us feel good when it was nearly impossible to. To put it frankly- Fine Line was my comfort album, and I know that it was a lot of other people’s too. And as we step into the new year, with the help of this album, it does in fact feel like... we’ll be alright.

[johnglynnphd101]

Music Therapy - How Music Works As a Catalyst to Promote Health and Wellness

"If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting, The appetite may well sicken, and so die. That strain again! It had a dying fall: O, it came o'er my own ear like the sweet sound That breathes upon a bank of violets, Stealing and giving odor!...... inch Thus starts the Act 1, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's romantic comedy "Twelfth Night", with the love-struck Fight it out Orsino ordering his musicians at his palace to feed him with music all the night, as your dog desires to have the sweet strains feed his appetite for romance. The bard makes him describe the audio played as an energizing "food of love", and in the following lines makes him pour forth sweet key phrases of passion, all of which originate from the tranquilizing effects of the music being played. Centuries before, while this enjoy had been staged, and even epochs later, the cultivation of music and the arts used to be perceived merely as makeup pursuits, entertaining and relaxing the mind and the soul and also connecting the performers with people at large. Today, even though numerous groundbreaking researches have proved that music, as an entity, has a profound effect on the body and the psyche off living organisms, that which was perceived only as an aesthetic pursuit is today regarded as an established therapy to address real bodily, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. In fact , quite some time back researches had shown music implemented as a therapy to not only bring about qualitative changes in humans, but also in animals and plants. While current youth are completely in love with music having beats and rhythms, it is a fact revealed by scientists that these beats possess a definite impact on the stimulation of the body of an individual. Let us for once think about the immensely mentally invigorating tunes like the symphonies of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart! Can anybody ever deny the level of creativity, positive energy, potent melodies and harmonies they produce that compel the mind and the soul to embark on a journey of effective emotions and impulses? Any classical form of music, for that matter, has been said to have profound effects on both the overall body and the psyche of individuals, playing an instrumental role in the healing and harmonizing of the mind, body and heart. Long accepted as both soother and stimulant, any form of "positive music", including classical music has been proven to profoundly impact the cognitive abilities, creativity, optimism levels and the overall 'state of the mind' of an person. By the term "positive music", researchers have actually referred to the kind of music which is usually emotionally and spiritually positive, and that which is gifted with beneficial qualities, healing the mind and the body in the process. Apart from the pure classical variety of movies, pop songs that are romantic in content, country tunes, and some amount of rhythm and blues (earlier referred to as 'race music') with evocative lyrics and tune are considered to be parts of "positive music". Today's world music, a vast sector of music dedicated to the great non-western traditions of music, including Indian, Chinese, Persian (Iranian) and Sufi forms-comfortably fall into the category of "positive music" as defined by scholars and exponents of music. What the historic cultures, including the Vedanta philosophy, the ancient Greek philosophy had to say about the effects of music on an individual: When we look back into the history of ancient, age-old philosophies and cultures, the extent of philosophical, spiritual have an impact on that music was said to have on the human soul would become obvious to us. Ancient historians attended up with the fact that for thousands of years, the Vedic culture had used the profound sound effects of favorite songs not only for the tranquility of the mind, but also for the proper balance and equilibrium between the body and the soul, for reassuring a heightened state of awareness in humans, and even for health enhancement and promotion of healing. It had been imagined by the unique Vedanta philosophers that ancient oriental music, in its true nature, was an enriched activity of the human mind in its path of exploration into the mysteries of Nature and of Ultimate Truth of the matter (the "Brahman"). It was ages and thousands of centuries ago that in the ancient Vedanta philosophy, music had been viewed as a subtle divine thread capable of linking the "Jeevatma" (individual soul) with the "Parmatma" (Supreme Soul). And why don't you, when the Vedanta philosophers had identified "shabda" (sound) as "brahma" (absolute reality), the primeval source of creation in the universe? This ancient concept of the "shabda-brahma" had been embraced in its entirety by ancient Vedic philosophers to learn the beauty, depth and elevating powers of ancient Indian music. On the other hand, the myriad effects that the various "raagas" of classical Indian music that inspire the human mind and rejuvenate the senses are quite undisputed until such time as today. Saying this, it is imperative why the ancient spiritual music form (termed as the "Dhrupad") performed with the temples and the courts from the ancient to the medieval times was connected to its spiritual roots and also why quite possibly contemporary researches still try to delve deep into its magical prowess on the human body and soul. On the other hand, study workers have found out that in ancient Greece, the legendary mathematician Pythagoras theorized that music had the power to decrease and even eradicate negative energies and emotions from the human mind. Other ancient Greek philosophers had full faith within the ethical powers of music, including philosophers from around the fifth century B. C. to around third millennium A. D. Most of them recognized the immense impact of music on the development of one's personality. The stupendous electrical power of music over the ethos of an individual, and on the overall human disposition has been time and again emphasized by philosophers like Plato and also by Chinese authors of various documents. The healing benefits of music established by modern discipline: Apart from the immense spiritual, emotional and ethical impact of music in the human mind, today modern scientific studies are generally constantly emphasizing on the astonishing benefits that music has in terms of healing human ailments. Adequate amount of modern conventional researches in recent times have explicitly shown that specific sounds and music have resulted in measurable and multiple therapeutic benefits. Even in case of critical human ailments, the ever-growing field of health care popularly known as "Music Therapy" is usually utilizing music and its various forms to heal cancer patients, children with ADD, and so on. It is amazing to uncover today how hospitals and health care services are treating music therapy as a distinct research area in order to assistance with pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to calm patients, to ease muscle tension, and for many many other benefits. Numerous researches starting from 1950 till today have proved that music has a strong impact on the mind. The beats and rhythm of music, which can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, can transport the human mind to a crescendo of concentration, and even promote a tranquil, meditative state of the head. Similarly, as the beats and rhythm of music have the ability to impact the brainwaves and other resulting physiological functions, experiments have revealed that activities related to the autonomous nervous system, like breathing and heart rate are greatly influenced by the "magic wand of music". Keeping this in mind, exponents of music therapy today are constantly with the super-power of music to counteract or prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress, resulting in relaxation, health and wellness. It can be even been claimed by researchers that the pleasant, soothing effects of "positive music" can reduce the risk with stroke and other health problems over time, boost immunity, ease muscle tension, working as an ultimate "stress-buster" of all times! It's true that most of the findings of the current researches regarding the effects of music emerged in the wake of the realization that each one our bodily functions, starting from breathing and pulse to heart rate and the pumping of blood in the heart-work in a cohesive, cyclical and rhythmical pattern, just like music does. While the basics of music are based on the rhythmical and cyclical movements of sound patterns, it is the synchronization of the various sound patterns and rhythms that influence all some of our physiological actions. All music therapy interventions, designed by experts to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, and increase physical rehabilitation emphasize on this synchronization of various sound patterns and rhythms as the fundamentals of music therapy. Really recently, a new type of music therapy has reportedly been offered to individuals with severe intellectual disabilities, with some significant results. As reported by The World Today, music, very much like mediation and yoga, two of nature's own tranquilizers, is giving a voice to profoundly affected people, thereby providing new insights into their inner, emotional activities. The World Today reported as many as a half a dozen case studies of individuals with severe disabilities responding to music as an definite direct channel of communication, which is definitely an instance in itself.

[thepermanentrainpress]

THE IMPOSSIBLE STAIRCASE – A CONVERSATION WITH ANDREW JUDAH

Andrew Judah is based in Kelowna—but don’t call them a Kelowna band.

“It’s impossible not to be influenced by your environment in some way, but I’m not writing about the Okanagan and the sound is not based on anything to do with the Okanagan,” their frontman (and namesake) told us over coffee earlier this month.

“Yeah, it might be shaped by the people you spend time with… less by the lake,” bassist Caleb McAlpine chimed in beside him.

Fair enough, some of the band members themselves having grown up or spent extended periods of time in other cities. Andrew Judah was a solo project first; his debut album, The Preacher’s Basement, came out in 2011.

Judah still writes the material and handles most of the instrumentation on studio recordings, but the group of like-minded musicians has been a boost to his live shows and creative process. McAlpine even co-produced the new record with Judah – or, in the latter’s words, “pulled me back from the ledge when I was having doubts about something, or about to delete everything.”

Impossible Staircase, set for release on April 20th, pulls back from the synth-y melodies of Judah’s last album. It was written about a close friend’s battle with addiction, and ties into an overarching concept of being trapped in a feedback loop.

There is piano, guitars, and drums, but also hints of the less conventional—violin, autoharp, trombone. The recently released single “Burn it Down” is eerily cinematic; Judah’s lyrics are a mix of metaphor and literal, his vocals poised amidst the pulsing rhythm.

Impossible Staircase by Andrew Judah

One of the few instruments Judah didn’t play on every track himself was the drums. Most of the percussion was recorded by Zac Gauthier – who was featured on Judah’s last album, Metanoia, as well – in a cabin near Salmon Arm.

“There are some pretty explosive moments [on the record] that only he could pull off,” said McAlpine. “He is amazing,” Judah agreed.

Chloe Davidson, who is a member of Kelowna bluegrass quartet Under the Rocks, handled violin duties.

Every song on Impossible Staircase flows into the next as if in – you guessed it – a never-ending cycle. Judah also incorporates Shepard tones—audio illusions which give the impression of a pitch rising, or falling, forever.

“It’s a loop, but it tricks your ears into thinking you’re hearing this very stressful, continuously descending sound,” Judah said of the technique. (Film score composer Hans Zimmer is a fan, if you needed another reason to appreciate its emotive power.)

Judah’s favourite song on the album changes day to day, but at the time of this interview he settled on “Lose My Mind,” which will be released as a single on Friday.

“It’s just a very sincere song about a very serious topic, and I managed to do it in a way that… I don’t hate?” He laughed. “It’s hard to write from an honest place about something that’s happening in your life, and not have it be cheesy. I’m pretty critical of things that feel cheesy.”

McAlpine went with “Penrose” – a seven-minute tune that has proven to be quite the challenge in rehearsals.

“There’s a repeating line that feels like it goes on for two minutes… there's no room to breathe. I'm going hard on a shaker, playing keys, singing, and I'm just not thinking. Almost every time without fail, I feel like I'm about to pass out.”

It’s something we don’t often consider—complex arrangements, pieced together between the walls of a studio, written with the headphone listener in mind and not the immediacy in having to recreate them. Rehearsals are the first opportunity the band members have to flesh out the songs for their live show.

Andrew Judah was set to embark on a BC tour this month, but postponed the dates due to COVID-19 concerns. Victoria was one city they were most looking forward to revisiting; they played a sold-out show at Vinyl Envy in October, and have also been on the bill for Psych & Soul – an annual music showcase put on by the record store.

“Really good community there,” said McAlpine. “We will never not go to Victoria to play shows.”

In light of the circumstances, they recorded a live set at Judah’s studio, Sounds Suspicious. It can be enjoyed with a glass of wine, and a friend, providing that friend is streaming the video from the confines of their own home.

The band is no stranger to larger crowds, having been a part of Skookum, Vancouver Fringe Festival, and Rifflandia in recent years. They were scheduled to play the (also postponed) AltiTunes Festival at Big White alongside Canadian rock darlings Arkells and Dear Rouge.

But there’s nothing quite like the charm of a room, and they lean towards intimate, self-made events at coffee shops and other less traditional venues when performing locally. It is time consuming, Judah acknowledged, but makes the end experience that much more worthwhile. “Everything is intentional, as opposed to playing in a bar where half the people might not even be listening.”

The most anticipated part of their set is also the most unpredictable: the group marches from the stage to the middle of the crowd, and play a song without the use of mics or amplification.

They’ve done it surrounded by hundreds under the cozy lights of Canoe Coffee Roasters, to a lone table of three in Port Alberni. It is a moment that lends itself to connection and vulnerability – and audiences have been receptive to that.

“It turns things from look at what we’re doing, to look at what we’re engaging in,” McAlpine said. “We go back on stage and it changes from that point on.”

The cover art for Impossible Staircase was drawn by Max Weiner, who also did the art for two of Judah’s previous records. Keeping with the cyclical theme, it shows an ouroboros – a snake eating its own tail – in the shape of a DNA strand—“which speaks to our behaviour being more ingrained than not,” said Judah.

The last music video Andrew Judah put out was for “Best in Show” – a song that will appear on the new record, albeit a more resonant version than what is currently released.

They don’t have any others in the works, McAlpine noting it’s something they’ll revisit once the album is out, and they see an opportunity to carry the art forward.

“I'm not a giant fan of music videos in general,” said Judah. “I don't think they’re worth doing unless they're something that can stand on their own; truly another way to look at a piece of music, as opposed to just… (The PRP: A band performing it?) Yes, exactly. That feels reductionist to do it just because.”

When he’s not working on material under the Andrew Judah banner, the frontman is a freelance composer for film and television.

It started back in 2012, when he remixed the song “Let Go” by New York experimental artist Son Lux, a.k.a. Ryan Lott. Lott’s day job was as a composer at Butter Music; one thing led to another, and Judah was offered a residency there himself.

Asked how the commercial avenue has influenced his approach to solo material, Judah admits he wasn’t very intentional with his writing when he started out. “Music was just this thing that happened… the inspiration would lead wherever it led. Since it became my job, [I think more about] what sounds are going to make people feel a certain way. It’s been an education in what to do with my own music.”

McAlpine has his own solo project, Common Fires, and a new single coming out April 13th. But he had always wanted to play in a band, and joked that he was “very sad, very bored. Never getting any better, just getting more sad and bored; slightly worse,” in the solitary endeavour.

He returned to Kelowna in 2014, having not lived in the city for about 10 years, and was planning to move again when the opportunity to collaborate with Judah – whose work he was already a fan of – arose.

“It’s been a very fruitful relationship,” McAlpine surmised.

The other members of the live band are Nathanael Sherman (guitar) and Kevin Dreger (drums). Sherman also releases music under the moniker N. Sherman, and put out a single titled “Sweet Boy” last week.

So, it seems Impossible Staircase is a fitting analogy for the musicians themselves. Multi-faceted and never satisfied. Continuously pushing their craft.

“You as a musician are probably always practicing,” McAlpine said. “You’re never not riding that bike.”

And we can be appreciative of that.

Written by: Natalie Hoy Header image by: Nathan Peacock