In fall of 2021, I did a series of three blogs in which I made mini 15-song playlists to capture the feelings of fall that eventually compiled into one large playlist. I did one blog in September, one in October and finally finished out the series in November. If you can’t already tell by the title and the context I just provided, I’m doing the same thing for the spring of 2022.
I know February isn’t technically spring’s genesis, but this playlist installment is more about breaking free of winter and looking forward to spring. With a quintessential indie rock sound, some songs are joyous and some existential.
Without further ado, let me share the February edition of “Ringing in Spring.”
“Pale Blue Eyes” — The Velvet Underground
“New York, I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down” — LCD Soundsystem
“All the Umbrellas in London” — The Magnetic Fields
Our neighbors in Witherspoon at the African American Cultural Center have debuted a new musical exhibit “HERMonies” that features songs from 10 black woman who have used their music to advance social movements. The full playlist can be found at the above link, but here I’d like to take a more historical look at the two oldest songs on the playlist, “Strange Fruit” and “Mississippi Goddamn.”
Howdy y’all! I hope you’ve been doing well. This week, I wanted to put together the ultimate Valentine’s Day playlist for you and yours. I love Valentine’s Day – the pink and red color combination, the fun candy, and getting to express just how much you love the people in your life (although I don’t think you need a holiday to do that). Admittedly, I pulled quite a few of these songs from my Twilight playlist on Spotify, but nonetheless, they make me feel mushy and gushy and grossly in love. Here’s to hoping you get to live out your rom-com dreams this weekend!
Valentine’s Day History
For our history enthusiasts reading this week’s blog, here’s a bit about Valentine’s Day. The specifics about Saint Valentine are quite contested. One legend tells the tale of Saint Valentine marrying young lovers after Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for young men in the name of making them better soldiers. While some believe that Valentine’s Day is in the middle of February to commemorate the saint’s death, others believe it was the Christian church trying to rewrite the Pagan celebration Lupercalia. Valentine sentiments date back to the Middle Ages, while written valentines appeared around 1400. Americans started swapping valentines around the early 1700s, and they became more mass-produced around the 1840s. Now, about 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent annually.
Howdy y’all! I hope your semester has been going swimmingly, and hopefully you’ve gotten to see some snow! I wanted to put together a quick playlist of some of my on-repeat songs from January. If you are anything like me, you might already feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the readings you have for the semester. So, I’ve decided to make this blog short and sweet for a quick read. I do want to emphasize how important it is to be taking care of yourself. Whether that looks like taking time to relax or staying hydrated, self-care can look so different depending on you and what you need. Taking care of yourself doesn’t need to involve anything extravagant, but it is so so important. I like to destress and take care of myself by reading a book with my phone turned off or crocheting with some true crime on in the background. Stay tuned for a valentine’s day blog and have a great rest of your week! <3
Hypochondria by Fenne Lily
Blame by Gabriels
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan
So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings by Caroline Polachek
ICU by Phoebe Bridgers
Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat by Del Water Gap
Certainty by Big Thief
I’m Not My Season – Solstice Version by Fleet Foxes
Cimmerian Shade by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
Valentine’s Day can be a challenging time for those who aren’t coupled up. It’s sad to feel like everyone else is in love besides you. When I decided to blog a playlist for Valentine’s Day, I immediately knew I wanted to make one for those who are single too. Don’t worry, it’s not all songs about feeling sad and alone. I made sure to include angsty songs, lonely songs, tunes about self love and songs about loving the things and people around you.
I truly believe there’s something on this 15 song playlist for everyone. If you’re looking to wallow in those feelings, trying to avoid the annoying couples on social media or just want good music, this one’s for you. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
“Spring” – Angel Olsen
“Island Music” – Tennis
“Charlie Brown” – beabadoobee
“Queen” – Perfume Genius
“Call Me When You Want Me” – Love Apple
“Always See Your Face” – Love
“All My Time Is Wasted” – Hannah Jadagu
“The World Should Revolve Around Me” – Little Jackie
Credit: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; Flikr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Howdy y’all! As you know by now, I formerly went by museum maddie here at WKNC. Although there was some revamping on my part, my love and adoration for museums has not faded in the least bit. As a wannabe anthropologist/museum-curator, I spend a large chunk of my free time wandering around museums. So, what better to do than to give you my museum recommendations with corresponding songs?! I hope you are able to check out a new spot!
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences will always have a soft spot in my heart. Beautifully modern, this museum is currently being renovated with a new dinosaur exhibit that should be done in 2023. Noticeable from the streets with a gigantic metal globe. My partner and I recently visited the Exquisite Creatures Exhibit, which showcases the amazing art of Christopher Marley. If you get the chance to go, I highly recommend it!
Masterpiece by Big Thief
Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin
Ride or Die by Hippo Campus
North Carolina Museum of History (Raleigh)
The NC Museum of History is right across the walkway from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. With rotating exhibits, there’s always something new. The main level exhibit about the history of North Carolina goes deeply in depth with artifacts galore. This museum is an absolute dream, and one of my favorites of all times.
Moon Song by Phoebe Bridgers
Cimmerian Shade by Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine
I Think I Like When It Rains by WILLIS
North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh)
The NCMA has two buildings as well as an entire outdoor Museum Park. New work is constantly being showcased, as well as a newer project which puts more modern works next to older works to compare and contrast themes that transcend through time.
Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens
April in Paris by Billie Holiday
Blame by Gabriels
Museum of Life and Science (Durham)
The Museum of Life and Science is interactive and features an expansive outdoor area. The butterfly house and weather machines are two of my favorite things there. Be on the lookout for the dinosaurs outside!
Not Dead Yet by Lord Huron
Where’d All the Time Go? by Dr. Dog
Souvenir by boygenius
North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro)
While I have mixed feelings on zoos (and while they aren’t museums), the NC Zoo works on research and conservation and offers 200 species of animals and 40 different plants. You can also hike around the zoo on trails. I really loved The Desert, a glass dome building housing desert plants and animals, and the Honey Bee Garden. Art is featured around the zoo as well.
Change by Big Thief
Wasted by Tomberlin
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (Charlotte)
A quaint little museum nestled next to the Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has a small and spectacularly curated collection. Notably is what I believe to be a bronze statue on an outside landing that overlooks the city.
I Fall In Love Too Easily by Chet Baker
Bookstore Girl by Charlie Burg
Once Upon a Dream by Emile Pandolfi
Mint Museum Uptown (Charlotte)
The Mint Museum (Uptown) is a newer visit for me, but it was love at first sight. My partner and I enjoy going to new museums, and The Mint offered an extensive amount of pieces in a beautiful building. We got to see an exhibit there based on borders which was so spectacular and moving.
The Most Beautiful Thing by Bryno Major
Painter On His Way To Work On The Road To Tarascon by Clint Mansell
Dog Years by Maggie Rogers
Discovery Place Museum (Charlotte)
The Discovery Place Museum was my favorite in high school. Although I have not been back in a few years, the memories of the fun interactives have stuck with me through all this time.
The Wave by Bedouine
A Mermaid in Lisbon by Patrick Watson and Teresa Salguiero
It’s nearly that time of year again, when roses and chocolate hearts are all the craze and every couple you know is just slightly more annoying than usual. I’ve loved Valentine’s Day for as long as I can remember because I’m a hopeless romantic who loves love. If you’re like me, or you’re in a relationship, or you just want a banger playlist about love… you’ve come to the right place.
This playlist contains songs you can slow dance to, songs to sing your heart out to and songs that are downright sappy. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
The passage of time has been difficult to process, especially during the pandemic. At the end of last year I found myself desperate for a blank slate, wanting to escape everything that the last two years have had to offer. Unfortunately, we live on Earth, where magic doesn’t exist, so that isn’t possible. But what is possible, is using music to process your emotions. Here are four songs that have helped me process we’re in another brand new year with the same old problems. I recommend listening to these in order for the full effect.
“I Want You To Love Me” by Fiona Apple
This may seem like an odd choice, but the lyrics are perfect for a new year during the pandemic. The desperation for love feels like a desperation for peace, calm and acceptance. The love Apple craves in this song is the peace I crave in my life.
“And I know when I go / All my particles disband and disperse / And I’ll be back in the pulse / And I know none of this’ll matter / In the long run / But I know a sound is still a sound / Around no one”
“This Year” by The Mountain Goats
This is a more obvious choice, and has been my anthem for the last couple of years. John Darnielle’s desperation to push through feels accurate and apt for what we are going through, despite having been released in 2005.
“I am gonna make it through this year, if it kills me”
“New Year” by ADDIE
A more obscure pick, but probably the most apt. The first verse sums it up perfectly. ADDIE’s vocals are the soothing calm you need to make you feel like everything is going to be okay.
“New year and everything’s the same / Maybe I just don’t have the capacity for change / New year and I’m still feeling stuck / New year is bringing back the ache of growing up”
“New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift
This track is a more optimistic view of a New Year, and is especially fitting if you have a significant other you’re going into this year with. It’s more a love song than anything else, but still feels right for the new year.
“Hold onto the memories they will hold onto you”
If you want to listen to these songs in order like I recommended, I made a Spotify playlist just for you.
Lots of artists make incredible music while still flying under the radar. Some artists are well known in the underground/indie scene but haven’t found their way to commercial or mainstream success, at least not yet. Here are some of my favorite artists that I think exhibit enough potential to blow up this year.
Remi Wolf
A graduate of Thorton School of Music and a former contestant of American Idol, Wolf has nothing to prove with regards to her talent. I’ve been listening to her since the Fall of 2019, mere months after she started releasing music, and I immediately fell in love with her unique voice and her catchy songwriting. She manages to have such a carefree, youthful sound while making music that is very detailed and carefully thought out. I’ve been watching Remi Wolf grow more and more popular over the past few years, and would not be surprised if she becomes a mainstream act this year.
When I first found the Texas rapper on a Spotify playlist, he had around 400,000 monthly listeners. At the time of writing this, he has 2,454,279 monthly listeners, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he breaks 5,000,000 by the end of this year. He’s released various singles over the past year following his 2021 debut album, “DLOG,” and each single has been fantastic.
Dimes’ music mostly consists of bangers begging to be played at a party, but he’s also a gifted songwriter, showing lots of versatility with his clever lyrics. At only 21 years old, Mike Dimes shows lots of talent, and I’m anxiously waiting to see what he does in 2022.
Recommended tracks: “NO TRENDS,” “WISS,” “BACKROOM,” “MY STORY (DLOG)”
seeyousoon
This eight-member Florida hip-hop collective is the definition of an underrated gem. If I had to describe their sound, it’s a mix of Brockhampton, Tyler, The Creator, KAYTRANADA, and JPEGMAFIA. seeyousoon is a band with a dynamic and exciting sound that doesn’t let themselves be confined to the rules and expectations of hip-hop. And even though they take opportunities to experiment with their music, they still stay true to their sound, and they don’t let their experimentation take away from the quality of their music.
Seeing a rule-breaking yet accessible act always excites me, and I’m confident that seeyousoon has more incredible music up their sleeves. Hopefully, we get another album in 2022, but either way, I’m excited to see them grow and progress as a band.
Recommended tracks: “BEN AFFLECK,” “FIX YOUR FACE,” “STEAMY,” “MAGIC,”
Below is a Spotify Playlist where you can check out all of these artists.
I understand that some people only cared about Spotify Wrapped 2021 the day (and maybe day after) it dropped. That being said, I still care. Elliott Smith was my top artist but sixty-four of my Top 100 Songs on Spotify were rap. As the Assistant Underground Music Director, this makes sense. Which rap songs you may ask? I’m not going to list all of them, but here are some favorites:
“Baby I’m Bleeding” by JPEGMAFIA
“New Slaves” by Kanye West
“Just How It Is” by Young Thug
“girls like drugs” by Paris Texas
“EAST” by Earl Sweatshirt
“Ghost (In the Shell)” by MAVI
“Throw Dem Gunz” by Lil Ugly Mane
“Campbell” by redveil
“Primma Donna” by Vince Staples (feat. A$AP Rocky)
“Please Forgive” by Powers Pleasant (feat. Denzel Curry, IDK, Zombie Juice & Zillakami)
“Jailbreak the Tesla” Injury Reserve (feat. Aminé)
Here’s to rap music being the most transformative and flexible genre,
