Snow and Music

A few months back, I signed up to be a DJ for campus radio. Since that time, I have been searching to broaden my repertoire of music. Two talented women have recently made my playlist of lesser known, artistic music.

American harpist, pianist, singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom was suggested to me awhile back by a friend, but I hadn't discovered her beautifully bizzare music for myself until very recently.

Newsom's whimsical lyrics and eccentric voice make a unique sound that is very fresh and original. There is an element of wonderment in each of her songs.

We sailed away on a winter's day/With fate as malleable as clay/But ships are fallible, I say/And the nautical, like all things, fades and I/Can recall our caravel:/A little wicker beetle shell/With four fine maste and lateen sails/Its bearings on Cair Paravel

-"Bridges and Balloons" from The Milk-Eyed Mender

The wonderful world of Pandora introduced me to Canadian instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Basia Bulat.

Bulat's soulful voice versatilely compliments songs of sentiment as well as power. Her variety is impressive; both lighter folk sounds and faster, stronger music is found on her debut album, Oh, My Darling. In addition to her talent as a lyricist and vocalist, Bulat plays the guitar, dulcimer, ukelele, autoharp and piano, which she incorporates into her varied songs.

Both women are real artists of their medium, and I recommend them to anyone with a taste for music with a deeper meaning.