Sounds Right on Track

So I was really excited to do a post about my favorite movie soundtracks, but realized that my number kept growing to an unmanageable amount where I do not think any sane person would want to read about or listen to them all. I have narrowed down the selection to a good 5.Now the movies may or may not be to your liking, and I will admit I did not pick these films for the purpose of being great films,but for their great soundtracks. In no particular order...

1. Amelie.
All I can say is, Yann Tiersen- what a genius. One of my favorite composers of all time. Suggested albums (not to be confused with his rock music): Goodbye Lenin, Tabarly, Le Phare, and of course the soundtrack for Amelie. Highly suggested.

Yann Tiersen-Comtine D'un Autre Ete: L'apres Midi
Yann Tiersen-La Valse D'Amelie (piano version)
Yann Tiersen-LaValse Des Monstres



2. Pulp Fiction.
Hands down my favorite movie. The soundtrack is the cherry on top.



Al Green-Lets Stay Together
Dusty Springfield-Son of a Preacher Man

3. Lost in Translation.
An eclectic mix of drone-y grunge with some good classic artists like Phoenix, Air, and Sebastian Tellier.



Air- Alone in Kyoto
Kaze Wo Atsumete-Happy End

4. Factory Girl.
An awesome collection of songs from the 50's and 60's- a nice flashback of classic rock n roll.


Johnny Kidd and The Pirates- Shakin' All Over
Count Five- Psychotic Reaction

5. Inception.
Hans Zimmer and Johnny Marr (guitarist from The Smiths) set the perfect mood for quite the epic movie. Hans Zimmer is one of the greatest composers out there for films, and though I wanted to post some of his older scoring, I could not flinch away from Inception. Insanely good.

Past Treasures

My fascination with history will always haunt me. Haunt me in the sense that I wish so badly that I could live in a different time. I have the constant tendency to dream that I am living in Versailles (sigh), or roaming dirt roads on horseback and wandering into saloons. My obsession with finding things completely preserved as they were from their era always draws me to museums or old towns, noticing original buildings. Unfortunately nothing is ever precisely preserved to its original state that it existed in (although some very close). I often rely on music to bring me to the past, feeding my daydreaming. I have so much old music I want to share- and there are an endless amount of musical geniuses that span back to the 1800's, but I am going to stick to a few favorites of mine from different eras- mostly jazz and classical.
Django Reinhardt-When Day Is Done
Chopin-Nocturne in B flat minor Op.9, No.1 (Performed by Ivan Moravec)
Chet Baker- But Not For Me
Francisco Tarrega- Gran Vals (Performed by David Russel)
Louis Armstrong- Body and Soul
Franz Schubert- Adagio from Piano Sonata No.19

Anything But Violent

After several attempts to search thoroughly for information on Girl With The Gun, surprisingly the internet failed me. I considered contacting them for an interview, but I feel it has been too long since I have written here that I should not postpone it any longer. So what I do have for you, a duo from Lecce, Italy with a comforting sound created by female guitarist and vocalist Matilde Davoli and musician Andrea Mangia known as Populous. Girl With The Gun is very simple, mellow and positive. I suggest going on their myspace and listening to "Coast to Coast"-personal favorite.

You can purchase their music on itunes here.

Tuesday Blues Day

I am ultimately jealous of those who can play guitar like champs because I failed horribly in my attempt to pick it up (no pun intended). After continuing my search for some more new artists to share, I found Preston Reed, a blues style guitarist from New York. I was drawn to his music because it reminded me a lot of Kaki King, with the finger style and tapping. He has been around for quite some time now, and well known in the guitar world so I am a little skeptical to put up free tracks without his or the copyright owners permission. So I am just going to put up some videos for you to enjoy and if you like him, go ahead and purchase his music on itunes.

Interview with Chronik

I present to you my first interview on Music Does Wonders! My curiosity always pushes me to interview artists I don't know much about that I find fascinating. I came across Chronik after hearing one of his ambient songs in a beautiful video and was eager to find more tracks. His music is organic and atmospheric, with calming instrumentals. I couldn't gather much information online about the Berlin based artist, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and get my own questions answered.

How and when did you start making music?
I started 7 years ago like an experiment… I don’t think I was good at the beginning… I just tried to see how programs and hardware worked. Im a listener mostly and I try to put out everything I feel is worth listening to now.

What instruments, tools, etc do you use to create music?
I work on Ableton and various plug in programs…synth and acoustic recordings. But music is not about programs so much as the ideas.

Where do you find creativity to produce new songs?
From the people I love and the life I dream to have…Love is important for me.

What has been your biggest challenge so far with music and being a musician?
I think I started to feel bored to admire musicians and I thought to start admire myself somehow…hehe… there is a truth behind this “joke”.

What is the music scene down in Berlin like?
Berlin is popular and the best place for independent musicians to present their work. In Berlin everyone can play live…its so easy…so free…and so beautiful. The musicians are very open minded..much more than here in Greece for example. What I love in Berlin is that I can go for to shop clothes or drink my café..always with beautiful music in the air.
Berlin is not a paradise but can help many people to produce and create music.
Hmm… Maria club or Panorama stays always in my memory…

What influences has Berlin had on your style of music?
Many…From the people in the streets…the trees and the quietness I miss to have when im in Athens. Its very sexy city …But mostly the weather is one of the things that inspires me a lot!

What are some artists that you listened to when you were younger that may have or still influence your style?
I try not to get influence from musicians because im afraid that I wont have my own style to my music. Ir definitely helped a lot listening to musicians I love…like…Goldmund…Dictaphone…Arovane… etc..

Are then any local artists that have impacted your music?
Yes. Many… In general labels like C.C.O – Morr music.

I noticed multiple videos under your Vimeo account. Do you create these videos, or is it a collaboration with other cinematographers?
I love to collaborate with people whose work I admire- like Hemming. A few videos I have made by myself…but they are not so great I think…its just a reason for someone to listen my music.

What other cities or venues would you want to play in?
Europe if its possible… I don’t have something special in my mind about cities… I love any and all experiences…


What is your favorite track you have produced?
Difficult to answer, but “tape in my mind” is like my child.

Do you do have another job on the side besides making music? or any interesting hobbies?
I travel and I read books. Also I listen music every hour in my daily life… Another job at the moment no… I wanna work into music more now..

If you could collaborate with anyone- who would it be?
I collaborate with musicians and I am happy for that. But if u mean some famous artists… I would say many, but I prefer this to stay inside me as a dream and not reality… I have to work more and maybe after I can say..

Would you want to ever have your music used in film or television?
If so, what kind of shows or films?
I worked for 2 movies but in the future I will be part of David Stevenson Fisher’s Director of A&R Songs for Film & T.V. I am very happy about this.

What are you currently listening to? (maybe not right at this moment, but in general)?
Lot of music and many different styles…from electronic to classical and jazz music…For me music listenings are like studing music…

Any wisdom or advice for other musicians, or new musicians?
To let their heart free to fly.

Anything else you would like to share with us? Any new releases/new concert dates/etc?
My album will be released soon under the name of “Im a tree”… some dj sets and now I care mostly to finish my album together with Zinovia … Im happy to work with her and I am looking forward to collaborating more with her in the future.

after you came to me by chronik
fake girl with a.m. by chronik

Dada Life July Mix

Usually I save all my electronic music posts for the No Harm No Fowl blog, but what the hell, I will post it on here :)
Really excited Dada Life just posted a July Mix today! I love Dada Life. End of story. Dada Life mixes are always insanely good (the nov. mix being one of my favorites). I will spare you the usual description and just give you the damn thang. Make sure to download all their other mixes on their website.
Dada Life- July Mix 2010
Tracklist:
Etienne De Crecy – Hope (studio version)
Tom Staar – Two Tone Simms
Calvertron & Tim Healey – Back 2 The Ghetto
Sebastien Drums, Avicii – My Feelings For You (Angger Dimas Bambu Remix)
Kaskade – Dynasty (Dada Life Remix)
Sovnger – Breathless (Alex Gopher Day Remix)
Squeeze – Doop (Uppermost Remix)
Kylie Minogue – All The Lovers (Dada Life Remix)
Mr Blink – Gecko (Original Mix)
Boy 8-Bit – The Keep
Tiesto Feat. Diplo – C’Mon (Original Mix)
Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike & Dada Life – Tomorrow
Technotronic vs Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike – Pump Up The Jam (Crowd is Jumpin Mix)
Dada Life – Cookies With A Smile

Delayed Evenings

Is it bad that I get frustrated when I find an amazing artist only to discover I am the last person in the world to find out about them? I suppose its bound to happen with so many artists out today. All I want to do is bring you guys new music from artists completely unknown, that have the element of talent. I am excited to share with you the artist Evenings. After I heard the song 'Babe', I became instantly hooked and obsessed with finding more tracks. Lucky for me, and for you if you take a liking, the Virginian artist has given his North Dorm EP away for free (thank you for that man). It is an incredible EP, and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoy every track. Such a surprising treat. How to describe Evenings tracks..well imagine soft, subtle electronic themes mixed with beautiful, mellow rhythms. Tracks you can listen to any time of the day- waking up or falling asleep, that can provide you with some optimistic sensations. Immerse your ears.

Evenings-Babe
Evenings Vs Rxry- Thunder/Language (Evenings Remix)
Evenings- Still Young

Evenings Free EP- Download Here

Necessities

For all crowds, here are a few tracks that I think everyone should have. A mix of old and new tracks that are random genres or styles, that have more recently popped up into my playlists. I hope you will find at least one you can enjoy.

Unkle-Joy Factory(Feat. Autolux)
Air- African Velvet
Ocuban-Syndrone
PANTyRAID-Beba
Baba Black-Dirty Sheep
Trentemøller- Snowflake (Live Version)
Caribou-Odessa
dOP-Lighthouse (Youandewan Dub)

Swedish Melodies

I feel like a broken record, but for those who have not heard of Detektivbyrån, A Swedish brother duo, I highly suggest adding them to your music collection. Although not for all audiences, it may capture the hearts of those who love Yann Tiersen (Composed the soundtrack for Amelie) or 'soundtrack' type music. I like Detektivbyråns music because it speaks for itself. Their use and combination of Accordions, the Glockenspiel, Vibraphones, synthesizers and more, creates a foreign, nostalgic feel.

Detektivbyrån- Nattöppet
Detektivbyrån- Vanerhavet
Detektivbyrån- Neonland
Detektivbyrån- Dansbanan

Sleepy Tunes

I tend to gravitate towards more instrumental music, not that I have anything against lyrics and vocalists. There are just times when no words are needed; only sounds, melodies and, instruments creating unique moods within you. Funki Porcini provides just that. Funki Porcini is a DJ and producer from the UK-signed to Ninja Tune, one of my favorite labels. Porcini produces drifty trip hop, combining jazz beats with creative sampling. I cant recommend him enough to the lovers of Bonobo (another favorite). This music is great to put on headphones and fall asleep to. What a coincidence that the tracks I provide are from the album 'Fast Asleep', which ties so perfectly into the great slumber you will experience if you put Porcini on before bed.

Funki Porcini-Back Home
Funki Porcini-Sleepy


Heres a cool video with a track from his newest album, ON.