There’s… Not really much to say. … No, wait. For this post there IS something to say.
It’s about memories.

End of April.
A war memorial.
Cool people.
Cool music.
Guitars.
Ghettosblasters for the times without guitars.
Disposable BBQs.
And a stretch of park-area filled with small groups of good friends, being there for themselves and sharing in the communal experience of a warm, awesome, lazy spring night.

Whittling away the night until dawn. Listening to music. Making music.

Having the chance of attractive and awesome girls with their heads in your lap, you stroking their hair, eyes closed, jokes and music and relaxation all around.

Fuck. Yeah.
THAT was an awesome way to party!

And back when this was en vogue, there was also a certain kind of music around. I touched on this with my “Bro Hymn” post.

So, today, something that was pretty much “mainstream” back in my school-days, but would be retro-alternative now.
Still. Good, fun, energy laden music.

So, get your heads out of the gutter and enjoy five almost old-school, almost punk sounds!

Starting the show with one of the most awesome short songs ever made.
And one that pretty much encapsules my damn life in under two minutes. Still awesome. Still full of energy. Still perfect for a warm, lazy day! One of my most favourite songs in the world.

Have a GREAT DAY all!
Enjoy.
Party.
Lounge.
Stay in Jammies and eat yesterday’s left-overs while watching old movies.
…
Whatever you do, BE AWESOME!

Matt out.

Just a quick plug for my Shadowrun ’57 “Recruitment Blog”! :)

http://shadowrun.enklave-23.de

I apologize in advance, because what now follows will be a drop. A Lindsey Stirling drop. Because that woman has skills, because she can move, because she’s charismatic, because she’s a nerd and because she’s utterly beautiful besides all her talent to boot.

Peter Hollens also does very, very well here. He’s got a great voice with a nice range. The fact that I love Skyrim didn’t have as much to do with me liking this video as I thought it would… The locations is also amazing. Ms. Stirling tends to find exquisite, beautiful locations for her videos.

Even after more than ten years, the Lord of the Rings soundtrack still captivates me. It’s simply… Good. It’s beautiful. (I’m gonna use that word a few times today…)
And this medley gives it a fresh and really fitting overcoat. I really like it. And again with the amazing scenery. She can also sing. Which is… Truly nice.

One of the really cool things about this video? Well, let’s see how Ms. Sterling got there: “I had an opportunity to go to New Zealand so we filmed this while we were there. Kim Dotcom funded this whole trip and he not only provided for our travel but he treated us so kindly and he gave us full access to a helicopter. I don’t care what the media says about him, I consider him a friend.”

She’s also got original stuff, which is to say… Most of her videos are original. And they’re very, very good. They again mix stunning scenery with great cinematography and the almost painful mixture of musical skill and stunning cuteness.

What was that I said about great cinematography? Well, yes. Just look at the nice stuff here in “Shadows”. It’s nothing big, but it really fits the video and gives it that extra “oomph”. It’s also funny.

There’s also the fact that I love it when artists look like they’re also really enjoying themselves. And Ms. Sterling does that. … That smile… :)

I’ll end this drop with a cover, though.

Mostly because I want to show how NOT using autotuning and actually having some creative fun with the music can make music I loathe most of the time worthy of a listen.

If their version were the one that got radio airplay I wouldn’t turn the radio off every time that song came on.

This also nicely mirrors the development I see in the current PC gaming scene: Talented, driven, independent artists free from corporate oversight simply make BETTER art. It so deeply saddens me that most of them will never see the success and recognition they actually deserve. Because that would take away sales from the next Rebecca Black album. *vomits*

…

But, on a positive note?
That last video?
See those smiling and grinning people?
THAT’S what makes music, and art in general, truly great. When the artists are invested with their own energy and spirit.

Matt out.

At least now thanks to a friend of mine.
Yeah. Well. Thanks. I didn’t have enough to do right now ANYWAYS.

So, then, onwards to adventure!

Spring music is a wide and difficult terrain for me. It’s not that much wider or more difficult than summer, winter and fall music, but… It’s happening RIGHT NOW, so there’s that. It’s got that immediate danger glowing around itself, staring at me with its damnable intensity. So I crack my knuckles, sit down, kick iTunes to “on” and start listening to music and writing this post. A post of impressions, memories, thoughts and peculiar patterns.

First of, in a spoiler-quote-box, the initial comment which inspired all this. With some initial music in it. As well as accompanying pictures. As well as being in German.

From those three songs I mentioned last in my comment (Freebird, Green Grass and High Tides, Carry On My Wayward Son), I’d like to pick one, because they all fill a certain niche. The niche of music to drive to during sunny, windy, clear and warm spring afternoons. They are NOT interchangeable. I don’t want to even imply this. But for me, they work for the same emotions, the same feelings of being happy and free. So, take a few minutes out of your life, let the sunshine in, and start up this song. Then close your eyes and imagine you’re in your car and the wind is blowing into your hair. And you listen to this. With a stretch of free highway before you. It’s just… Bliss. Pure bliss. And when it combines with one of the first warm and sunny days after an abysmal winter? … Near Perfection.

The Outlaws – Green Grass and High Tides

Then there’s something else that spring has going for itself when you compare it to winter: Warm, early sunrises. It’s cheating a bit, because this is more true in late spring than in the beginning, but it BEGINS in spring, so here is where I put this song. This feeling. Those moments when you just had a wonderful night behind you. Be it dancing, roleplaying, great sex or “just” hanging out with friends, cocktails and enough topics to talk about to fill a novel. Then you’re in your car. It’s 0500. It’s an hour until you get home. The memories of great people and great moments are still fresh. The sun is rising. There’s thaw on the sides of the road. There’s mist rising up besides the empty and forlorn looking Autobahn which is just waking up to the beat of the cities. And it’s warm. It’s fucking warm. So you put on this song. Put an arm outside your car. And smile. Smile all the damn way home.

Tsuneo Imahori – Never Could Have Been Worse

But, let’s also not forget all those times driving TOWARDS good times. In the evening, in the oncoming dark. Surrounded by people who also head out towards parties, dances, dates and generally good times. And you’re happy to see people outside of ANY professional context. Meeting them just as friends, at a place you connect as being “that fun place”. Where there’ll be no sorrow. Perhaps some maudlin reminiscing about past deeds and lost chances. But there will also be good music, good friends and good drinks. So you help each other up and you get on to have a great night. And there, on the way towards this, when your mind is filled with possibilities and hopes and stories you want to tell, you put on this song and head towards a perfect night.

B-Movie – Nowhere Girl

But, how about those moments of budding, fresh romance? How about spending an evening or a night with that person you had a crush for so long. How about finally getting that kiss you wanted so dearly. How about that? Well, for me there are quite a few songs which work well with that. But one will always hold a dear place in my heart, due to some personal experience. It’s got a sympathetic link to a person and some memories. But apart from that… It’s cool. It’s downtempo. It’s dark. It’s perfect for those first, early days of spring. Where romance and emotions and desires start to run high, but where there’s still rain and dark clouds and rain aplenty. … So you’re on the couch. That special someone is with you. You put your arm around her shoulder and pull her near. She stiffens for a fraction of moment, then gives in. She sighs, barely audible and presses her head against your neck and shoulders. You pull closer. You enjoy each others warmth. And for some time… There’s nothing else. There’s just you.

Silke Bischoff – Under Your Skin

And… I think that this is a good way to end this post.
To let you alone with those thoughts.
And with the knowledge that, for me, this is music fit for spring. Music which invokes that fresh, lively feeling of this season in me. And which, in turn, is summoned by this season of chaos and emotions.