This week the playlist features
Sámi by Black Magdalene
Based in Eugene, Oregon, this darkwave ensemble was formed in 2011. Darkwave is a music genre that evolved from post-punk and New Wave movements in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Dakota by The Stereophonics
This Welsh band had their first number one on the UK singles chart with this song. The accompanying video featured the band travelling through South Dakota although the song is actually named after the Dakota apartment building in New York City.
Sámi by Kateřina Marie Tichá,
The singer songwriter, Kateřina Marie Tichá, is Czech-born and based. The title translates to “alone” in English even though this is a jaunty pop tune!
Antarctica Echoes by Vangelis
“Antarctica Echoes” by the renowned Greek composer Vangelis is a track from his 1983 soundtrack album: Antarctica. This album accompanied the Japanese film Antarctica (Nankyoku Monogatari), directed by Koreyoshi Kurahara. The film told the true story of a Japanese expedition in Antarctica and the survival of their sled dogs.
Andy by Michael Charles Smith
This engaging marimba solo piece was written for Michael Charles Smith’s nephew, Andrew, shortly after his birth, something that the composer has done for each of his nieces and nephews. It is regularly performed and the composer is well-known for his work in education as well as compositions for commercials and documentaries.
Finnish Whistler by Roger Whittaker
Known for his extraordinary whistling ability and baritone voice,Kenyan-born Roger Whittaker earned a Science Degree from Bangor in Wales after a short stint in Cape Town where he studied medicine. It was music that shot him to stardom and he sold an estimated 60 million records worldwide in his career as a musician.
Valhalla Rising by Nytt Land
This song combines Norse mythology with musical traditions from Siberia, including throat singing. The band was formed in 2013 by husband-and-wife duo, Anatoly “Nordman” Pakhalenko and Natalya “Krauka” Pakhalenko from Kalachinsk, Russia.
Andy (A Guy Like You) by The Waterboys
The new release from this London band (that was formed in 1983) relates the real-life story of Andy Warhol’s trip across the United States to meet Dennis Hopper in Los Angeles where the artist’s first show was being opened. It is a witty comment on art and fame.
Emperor Penguin Lullaby by Laura Agnusdei
Italian saxophonist and composer, Laura Agnusdei brings the magnificence of Antarctica to life in this experimental and unique partnership of wind instruments and electronica.
Weaving of the Spirit by Christian Bollmann and Daniel Namkhay
This nine minute track is intended to induce a meditative state and its blend of instruments and vocals references musical traditions from across the world. It is a reminder to us to stop and listen to the natural world of which we are part.
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