Music is an important part of many people’s lives. The number of albums available to listen to is endless. I have recently been going through and organising my parents’ vinyl collections, as well as their VHS tapes and cassette tapes. How vintage. It made me realise that I have never really actively “looked” for new music to listen to. Music seems to find me. My lifestyle can result in the discovery of new artists every day. For example, through scrolling on social media, I am made aware of different songs. By listening to the radio, I hear new musicians. Instagram stories by influencers can encourage me to search for a song. I have an ever-evolving playlist on Spotify simply called ‘new’ where I add songs recommended to me all the time. Then when I find the time to listen, I go through and either keep or delete.
A recommendation by Corinne Fisher on the ‘Two Less Lonely Girls’ podcast was the 1995 Alanis Morissette album: ‘Jagged Little Pill’ and I am constantly playing it on repeat at the moment. It is so good. I don’t know how I hadn’t heard it before now. I also follow YouTube musicians including Ebony Day, Hobbie Stuart and dodie, not to mention authors and directors that sometimes post a cover or two, such as Hazel Hayes. Whether its covers or original songs, you can often feel much more connected to a song sung by an online personality whose work you admire. It is clear that I have an eclectic taste in music. Is there anyone else that enjoys the La La Land soundtrack just as much as Wu-Tang Clan?
I watch a Norwegian TV show called Skam, which has a superb soundtrack. The show has been recreated in many countries including France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, adapting the storylines and characters to the culture of the country. The soundtracks are available as playlists on Spotify and YouTube, and it is such a great way to discover a wide range of international music. From Yelle to Kid Astray, from Gabrielle to Sigur Rós, there’s bound to be a song that surprises you (in a good way).
I also find new musicians through podcasts such; ‘George Ezra & Friends,’ ‘Teenage Mixtape’ and ‘Phil Taggart’s Slacker Podcast’ where they ask fellow artists and music lovers what first inspired them, who they used to listen to when they were younger and the first album they bought. This made me think about the first music I bought.
My first…..
Cassette tape: S Club 7 – 7 (This was unfortunately left in a car and never found again).
Vinyl: Jake Bugg – Shangri La
CD: Girls Aloud – Sound of the Underground (I vividly remember getting this from Woolworths in 2002 lol).
Spotify playlist: SKAM NRK P3
Through looking through my parents’ record collection, I have discovered Daryl Hall and John Oates and Genesis as well as rediscovering Billy Joel and the ABBA Gold album. Safe to say I have hundreds of vinyl and tapes to listen to for the rest of the year. Do you have a record collection? Although CDs have become less popular over the past few years due to streaming and online downloads, it seems that vinyl is coming back into fashion, either to be used properly and played on record players or framed and used as décor!
WHERE ELSE TO FIND ME:
Tri-lingual radio show (Sobremesa): https://www.mixcloud.com/Alexandra_McLeod/
Sobremesa Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraSobremesa/
YouTube and Geography blog: https://alexandrasobremesa.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-mcleod-79b7a8107?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Alexandra McLeod: Alexandra is a recent graduate from the University of Exeter with a degree in BA Geography and Sustainability with Advanced Proficiency in French and Spanish with Study Abroad. Yes, its a lot! However, her main passion throughout university was her role as ‘Head of Station Sound’ for XpressionFM (student radio) where she created unique events and promotional material for the station. She hosted a weekly tri-lingual radio show and continues to host a comedy/poetry podcast. She has had experience working at BBC Devon, Cornwall and Newcastle as well as PhonicFM (Exeter).