There once was a man who ventured into my class and put in a very specific request. While other students shared what body part they wanted to open up, and/or what pose they wanted to try, this student announced that he didn't want me to play pop music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I immediately reacted with a laugh and I reassured him that there wasn't going to be any Britney or N'Sync mixed into my jams that day. However, this dude was serious-he didn't want any lyrics in the music and he didn't want anymore words invading his head.
Even though his request did get my back up, I had to consider where he was coming from. I'm sure he wasn't the only one out there who was lyrically sensitive, especially during a practice where your senses are being heightened and fine tuned.
Personally I'm not one of those people, because for me lyrics tend to go unnoticed. Instead of the artist's words affecting me, it has always been the musical progression and instrumentation that catches my ear. I know this is a result of growing up in a very musical household.
My parents met in band when they were 17. My mom is still studying to this day, and has recently gone back to University to study music performance and her beloved French Horn. As for my dad he now and again taps out an intricate rhythm with his butter knife, while waiting for his morning toast. Though he still has an ear to die for, I'll give him that!
Growing up classical music filled our house and my mom would drill us on the time signatures, key instruments, and composers of various compositions. My sisters and I would put on figure skating routines and to accompany us we'd splice together three different tempos of music, editing them to a tee. All of this, along with being forced to play the flute until I was 18, has allowed me to become quite aware of what goes on behind the lyrics.
I like to think I'm somewhat musically inclined, and that is probably why I took such offense to the gentleman's request; I put a lot of care into my playlist.
And shit, it's quite funny there is so much stress on music in yoga classes nowadays. Traditionally, yoga was done in silence. I actually find my most challenging, and yet most profound practices have been when there is no music playing at all. You are forced to sit with your monkey mind, your emotions and the moment, without escaping away to the background beats. Maybe this student was onto something...
However, it's 2012 and sometimes we just need to be swept elsewhere and moved by music.
I'd like to dedicate this semi-instrumental playlist to the man who ventured into my class and made an outrageous, but relevant request!
Enjoy!
3am ~ Bearcubs
Gravity ~ a k u a
Stay The Same~ Bonobo
Hill Sighed ~ Emancipator
Jet Strem ~ Emancipator
Safe in the Steep Cliffs ~ Emancipator
Reckoner~ Radiohead
Porcelain~ Moby
Eyes Down ~ Bonobo
Anthem (Nym Remix) ~ Emancipator
Push Harder~ a k u a
Deep~ Citizen Cope
Husks and Shells~ Volcano Choir
**** Akua is a beautiful artist from Montreal. We went to summer camp together and she's going to take the music world by storm very soon! Catch her while you can. --->>>
http://Www.soundslikeakua.com/
http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2012/11/do-you-like-sade-and-kimbra-th.html?fb_action_ids=4139154110730&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=sharebar_fb&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%7B%224139154110730%22%3A484314888256915%7D&action_type_map=%7B%224139154110730%22%3A%22og.likes%22%7D&action_ref_map=%7B%224139154110730%22%3A%22sharebar_fb%22
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Recommendations for Inspiration #3: Sleeping at Last
WHO : Sleeping at Last
WHAT: Singer/Songwriter, with a Damien Rice/Bon Iver feel
WHY: The sex scene in Twilight: Breaking Dawn was the only time I was moved, because this band was playing. I couldn't wait for the film to be over so I could go home and drool over their every detail; forget Robert Pattinson!
I stumbled upon their most recent album called, Yearbook, which contains 36 tracks of breathtaking masterpieces. The multi-instrumentalist performed most of the parts, from melodies on the piano, acoustic guitar, banjo, ukulele, right down to occasional violin parts.
The strings are full and at times too rich to digest. And this detail even goes beyond the instrumentation. Each lyric is laid perfectly to rest deep in your guts, softly in your heart, or wildly in your imagination. Every song is different, and every song leaves you with a different after taste. Even though he wrote 3 brand new songs, every month, for a year, nothing is stale or boring about this album.
Now is the perfect time to bring Sleeping at Last into your life. It screams hibernation, bubble bath, snowy/rainy walks, savasana, a winter drive down country roads, cuddles by candlelight, reading by the fire, a slow and beautiful lovemaking session..... you get the idea!
Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Recommendations for Inspiration #2: SARAH SLEAN
WHAT: Canadian Singer Songwriter, Poet, Painter, Actress
WHO: Sarah Slean
WHY: I fell in love with Ms. Slean during my last year of high school. A good friend had watched her play at one of our little, local venues, in Peterborough Ontario. She told a tale of this eccentric, exotic, bare foot, pianist who song like she came straight out of the 1940s.
And she plays like she's high on something really goooooddddd. If I could be like her I'd gladly take whatever drug she's hooked too. The thing is, Sarah is all natural- 100%!!!!!!!
When you see her live, she holds you so tightly in the palm of her hand. She grants you permission to be free, to live without chains, ties or limitations, and she guides you into a brand new perspective- a whole new world! And come to think of it, you do feel like The Little Mermaid: thrust up against a rock with wild waves crashing all around you. AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Her new album, Land and Sea, is a masterpiece containing a pop/folk feel on one end, and a orchestral/euphoric feel on the other.
I can't really describe why this woman is so inspiring. SO in order to develop your own opinion you must do the follow:
1) See her in concert. She's coming to Vancouver Nov 23, at the Rio Theatre
2) Stalk her website. Its has everything on it that has to do with art, because she can do EVERYTHING that has to do with art. www.sarahslean.com
3) Watch the video, on the front page of her site, entitled Land and & Sea, Episode 9. You'll get a real feel for her depth and artistry
Listen and love xo
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Hipp Trip Travel Interview
Hi Hi,
Check out an interview I did for Hipp Trip Travel. This brilliant website was created by a good friend, Alyx Kottmeier. If you're wondering where to do yoga in the world, where to eat, where to stay, etc visit this site.
Enjoy xo
Sunday, July 31, 2011
CASE CLOSED CD Release
My band and I are finally releasing out first CD after 2 years. A lot of love and sweat went into it as our bass player, Greg Monforton, recorded and produced the entire thing,
The release party is Sunday, Aug 7th at 130pm. It will be held at St. James Hall, 3214 W. 10th Ave. Mimosas, Bailey's coffee, tea and treats will be served, so make a Sunday out of it and wear your best afternoon dress.
We'll be selling our album, entitled "Four Years Apart". We conjured up the title, as there is exactly four years between each of us. The theme is expressed through the artwork, hence the lifelines of the tree trunk, and the "height tracker" penciled on a door frame (seen on the back of the CD tracking our song list).
Since we all sing and play various instruments, our sound is difficult to explain. Although we have been compared to Bob Dylan, The Barenaked Ladies, and Joni Mitchell!
Have a listen and you decide!
Email me if you'd like to buy a copy of "Four Years Apart", for $12 mlemillen@yahoo.com.
Namaste and Music All The Way,
Emily
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