Stones Throw video contest 2011

I just stumbled on some really cool videos for songs by different artistes from Stones Throw Records. For those of you who don't know, Stones Throw is and independent hip hop label from Los Angeles. Here are some of my favourite ones.

J Dilla - Lightworks (James McMillan)

Quasimoto - Bus Ride (Vincent Longhi)

Madvillain - Strange Ways (Jean-Yves Blanc)

Soldier on

"who wants to know

all that is gold is rusting
no one will know
when seasons cease to change and…
how far we've gone
how far we're going
it's the here and the now
and the love for the sound
of the moments that keep us moving

waves crash along
the battered, lonely lighthouse
tomorrow she's gone
and if not, someday somehow
are these hands a waste
well this side of mortality is
scaring me to death
to death

don't think about it at all
just keep your head low
and don't think about it all

soldier on, soldier on
keep your heart close to the ground
soldier on, soldier on, keep your heart
close to the ground

don't think about it all
just keep your head low
don't think about it
at all

yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
yeah, will you take me tonight
ooooh... tonight

soldier on
soldier on
keep your heart
close to the ground"

Animated music videos

Music videos can be quite a treat to watch, especially when there's a touch of creativity in them. Here's a couple of beautifully animated music videos, to accompany the beautiful songs.

Eatliz - Lose this child

Kina Grannis - In your arms

Music therapy in practice

I have to thank Nada Brahma for sharing this video. I was on Facebook and saw this post. It's not a very long video, but it has a very strong and important story. Music has a therapeutic effect. Have a watch.

Watching this video struck a chord with me. Sometimes, as we age, we lose a part of ourselves. Our minds may become less sharp, we forget more easily, and understanding and accepting this change is an even bigger challenge. I have seen this happen to loved ones, as well as strangers, during my experience as a volunteer. It was scary for me. I fear sometimes, that I may grow old that way; that I may not be fully aware of myself and the environment I live in; that I may not recognise the people I love, and who love me. It still frightens me at times.

I try not to take it for granted, and tell myself that I will keep my mind and body active. But in the event things move out of my control, I believe that I can fight, and that music will be something that can give me strength, just as it does for the man in this video. It gives us all a little hope.

Watching dubstep

Here's a cool video I found on YouTube. It's a visualisation of part of a dubstep song using vinyl records (960 of them, apparently). The full track can be heard here. It's I Will Never Change, by Benga.

Good, Friday music!

Morcheeba - I am the spring

Wake up. Yawn. Stretch. 

Best Coast - When the sun don't shine

On/off routines. Breakfast.

Bullion - Let's go away for a while

Chores and more.

DJ Tama - Side Beat

Wallet. Check. Phone. Check. Books. Check. Bag. Check.

Mr. Scruff - Music takes me up ft. Alice Russell 

Stepping out.

New way, new life

I was in a contemplative mood, and I got some writing down (you can read about my musings at incite/insight, my debut blog). And in the midst of it, I thought of Asian Dub Foundation's New Way, New Life. A really fun song by the UK band, with a fusion of rap, reggae and raagas. It's hard not to feel good while listening to this song. It's got everything you need - electric guitars, dhols, harmoniums and horns, and a whole lot of people just bouncing around!