Tag: playlist

Haunted Moors

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! Writing a few words this Sunday evening. About to perhaps attempt to write something flowery and ridiculous and ethereal and grey in its beauty and majestic wonder. Shall I succeed? Who knows, who knows. While I write now, listening to an old playlist from a few years back – “windswept queens of the haunted moors”. One of my favourites, it is darkly beautiful even though its lyrics are at times agonizing in their pain. Yet, at times the melancholy calls to me and this playlist, while not for the faint of heart, still sings. If you want to listen…well, I’ll link it here. Only if you wish.

Leaving aside the dangerous musical madness of my past, what now stirs my heart? I feel as if the days and weeks have been busy of late and my heart is weary. Yet what does that signal but that I am still trudging on? I am grateful to my God for holding my hand as I walk this path. And I’m grateful oh so grateful that I am not alone. I wish I had more time. I wish at times the things of this world didn’t take so much time and that I had more time to write and dream and wonder. Ah my thoughts are too messy for this mundane of a post. I will attempt to channel into something creative. If I give up, will just move on to making dinner! Leftover meatloaf is the plan. Also going to fry up some broccoli and make some mashed potatoes. Will be a good Sunday dinner, so says I. Now, I’m off, to write. I hope. I sigh and roll my eyes as I think on the likelihood that little of the beautiful shall proceed forth from my pen. But sometimes a leap is necessary. Farewell, my friends.

Six or Seven, Pick a Number, Any Number!

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I’m about to head out from Starbucks here but figured I better write a couple words. Must confess…my primary reason for doing so is that I’ve noticed that I’ve actually posted every single day this week thus far. So I just could not pass up the chance to finish out the week right!! (…er…by posting on livejournal? Yeah. Sure) This has been a most busy day so far…but it’s been lovely nevertheless. My last weekend in Houston for a bit, so doing all my final Christmas preparatory activities! Had a most fantastic breakfast at Joshua and Sarah’s house…of course it was nice to eat breakfast and drink coffee with them…but the true joy was just talking with them and catching up on oh so many things! They are pretty awesome, I have to say. Then it’s been a mad dash through various Houston locations…and I’m still not done. Time to go to HEB now, then to pick up my dry-cleaning. Then…home?! Going to attempt to get a walk in…as this wintry weather is still just wonderful. Alright, I have been in Starbucks long enough…but I decided I am way far behind in posting my music playlists, so going to record one here this afternoon. (I’ll still be a few behind, but alas – one is enough for now!) I really enjoyed making this mix – it’s such a beautiful…chill indie mix, I guess?? Honestly, I got in an Owl City mood a few months back and felt sad I didn’t really have a good mix with Owl City songs. So attempted to remedy that with this mix. I know Laura’s not a huge fan of it, since she needs to be in a particular mood to enjoy Owl City! What can I say, my heart is weird enough…that something about Owl City / Postal Service / Snow Patrol just resonates with my emotions so beautifully. That middle stretch – bliss. This is a bit of an old-school mix as well. Besides Owl City, I got an Anberlin and a Panic! song squeezed in. Early college nostalgia right there. Right, enough talk. Mixed back in summer of this year…Clarissa:

1. Plimsoll Punks – Alvvays
2. Light of Loving – Faith Healer
3. My Only – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
4. Paperthin Hymn – Anberlin
5. Laid Low – The Naked and Famous
6. Derniere danse – Indila
7. I Constantly Thank God for Esteban – Panic at the Disco
8. I Summon You – Spoon
9. Air Traffic – Owl City
10. Recycled Air – The Postal Service
11. Sky Diver – Owl City
12. The Finish Line – Snow Patrol
13. I’ll Meet You There – Owl City
14. Take Care – Beach House
15. Blue Velvet – Lana Del Rey
16. Exit Night / Juliet’s Theme – Emmy the Great
17. My Least Favorite Life – Lera Lynn
18. Writer in the Dark – Lorde
19. Fuzzy Blue Lights – Owl City

Have a gorgeous day, dear friends.

Reading Between the Lines of Autumnal Tendencies

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends! Been a bit too long since I’ve written…and I honestly don’t even feel much like writing now, but I suppose I should at least attempt to write something. I’m sitting here at Starbucks – not for long though as it is sunny and delightfully cool outside and I shall not waste that – and sipping on my coffee…and yeah, guess I can write a few words! I’m listening to a preliminary mix of a CD I hope to be completed sometime in the next few weeks. It’s not there yet, alas. Alas. Speaking of mixes though – why don’t I share one I made earlier this year? This must have been sometime in…July? August? I actually knocked out 3 mixes in short succession and I don’t exactly remember which I made when – and I’m not going to share all three today! But going alphabetically because why not? This one came about shortly after my Colorado trip with Robbie in which fantastic and memorable times were had. On Sunday of that trip, we had a hiking day in which we drove outside of Denver some ways, found a cool path and hiked up and back. It was beautiful and so different than the Houston I’m usually in. But as we drove there and back, we listened to the music on Robbie’s Spotify – and I realised he had some most excellent dance tunes! By dance tunes (this time), I mean more modern dance/pop music…music that’s fun to listen to, even if the content is a bit lightweight! But hey – great road trip music. And so when I returned from Colorado, decided I needed to memorialize the trip by making a mix using Robbie’s music. I messed with the flow a bit…but the content is pretty much straight Robbie. Thanks man. So now – for a fun, frothy mix…I humbly present Denver 2AM:

1. The Ocean – Mike Perry feat. Shy Martin
2. Summer Air – ItaloBrothers
3. Don’t Let Me Down – The Chainsmokers feat. Daya
4. Paper Planes – M.I.A.
5. Heroes (we could be) – Alesso feat. Tove Lo
6. Alone – Marshmello
7. False Alarm – Matoma & Becky Hill
8. Havana – Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug
9. Closer – The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
10. Faded – Alan Walker
11. Habits (Stay High) (Hippie Sabotage Remix) – Tove Lo
12. Baba Yetu (Deep Radio Edit) – Supanova
13. Tilbake (Saevik Remix) – David André Østby feat. Marie Hognestad
14. S.O.S. – Indila
15. Sugar – Robin Schulz feat. Francesco Yates
16. So Good – LZ7
17. Runaway (U & I) – Galantis
18. Reload (Vocal Version/Radio Edit) – Sebastian Ingrosso & Tommy Trash & John Martin
19. Don’t Wanna Wake Up – Capital Kings
20. Tidal Wave – Sub Focus feat. Alpines
21. Headlines – Robin Schulz feat. Ilsey

So there you go! A bit more words shall I put to page? John (Dixon! From Scotland!!) was here this past week and it was glorious. I shan’t write about all we did(honestly, we didn’t do that much! But definitely enjoyed taking him to a Dynamo game – my first too! Good times were had wandering around Houston in the grey and the rain and the cold…he picked the wrong week to come to Houston for sun and warmth that’s for sure!)…for truly the best part was just being with him again and having quiet moments talking and being together. Sitting on the couch one evening, watching the baseball(World Series – Dodgers v. Red Sox – ugh) and talking about random life thoughts. Or down the street at Christian’s, enjoying a burger, half-watching the Rockets game (but not really) and again just chatting about our past, our future, our hopes, our dreams. You know. All that good stuff. I think one night, I was texting Julie about something and once she found out I was with John – she asked, “Why are you chatting with me when your friend is there!?!” And I thought about it and see that we’re chilling in the living room, half on our phones, half paying attention to whatever was on TV and then making random comments to each other now and again and realised…this just feels like being flatmates in Aberdeen again. A normal evening together. And so having that experience this past week was…quite nice. I treasure the friendship I have with John dearly and I thank my God for that. And I pray that God continues to bless John in all things!! To Him be the glory throughout, now and forever.

Now, before I spiral off into further flights of emotion, I shall take my leave. It really is a good time to get out of this dim coffeeshop and into the glorious light.

Dance the II

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I have decided it is not quite time to leave Starbucks yet. So…bonus post!! As I am still oh so far behind in posting my mix playlists…I figured I better try and catch up! This is a mix I came up with earlier this year – back in March I believe. It was one of those mixes that came together remarkably quickly. Just like my best poetry, my best mixes are the ones composed in a matter of minutes(not days!!). Anyway – this mix is a little bit country and a little bit melancholy. And I love it so. I remember listening to the last few songs the night(believe it was late on a Sunday night?) I made this mix…and feeling a tad bit emotional. But hey, let me stop talking it up…and just post the track list. Humbly I present…Never Again Sighs the Dawn:

1. Nightcall – London Grammar
2. New Partner – Ciaran Lavery
3. The Rooster Moans – Iron & Wine
4. The Stable Song – Gregory Alan Isakov
5. Abrasive – Ratatat
6. Burn – Norah Jones
7. Cherry – Ratatat
8. Roll the Bones – Shakey Graves
9. Where Rainbows Never Die – The Steeldrivers
10. You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive – Darrell Scott
11. Ghosts of Mississippi – The Steeldrivers
12. The Snake – David Ford
13. If It Hadn’t Been for Love – The Steeldrivers
14. Skin & Bone – Stu Larsen
15. Stone Walls – Three Tall Pines
16. If I Be Wrong – Wolf Larsen

Tales from 2AM

James HoganLeave a comment

Chilling at Starbucks.  Yup.  Not going to write long, but figured may as well since I’m here!!  My day has been relatively(slightly) productive thus far…had a deacons meeting at 730 this morning, then I made my way over here where I’ve been working like a madman…trying to get music playlists in order.  Yes, very important business.  I admit, it is somewhat hilarious how much I enjoy this.  Right now, though I’m struggling mightily as I have four different playlists I’m working on nigh simultaneously.  A bit over-ambitious that.  A dance mix(sourced from Robbie on our trip last weekend), *another* dance mix(more chill/trance really), a musical mix(Les Mis, Wicked, Rent &…Hamilton!?) and then a more “normal” mix that is a mess and I’ve sort of abandoned for the moment.  Anyways – the struggle.  And then one of the hardest parts is to come up with a properly epic and just-pretentious-enough album title.  OH the joys.

Enough of that though!  Planning on seeing Peter pretty soon – going to meet for lunch…somewhere?  And then going to hang out with Earnie tonight.  It shall be fantastic, that I declare.  Last night was beautifully quiet…didn’t really get reading done(well – did read a bit of Owen at EQ – less than 80 pages to go!) but I enjoyed watching Rocky II with my dinner.  Forgot how awesome that movie is.  Stayed up a bit too late.  Alas. 

Now though…time to roll.  And continue my weird music playlist obsession.  I just realised I actually have FIVE playlists I’m working on.  Forgot my Anberlin/Owl City/Panic! one I’ve just started.  Again – yes, I’m a mess.

Peace, y’all.  Peace and love.

Perseverance of the Saints

James HoganLeave a comment

Morning, friends!!  I shan’t stay long on the computer now…but I sit here at Starbucks after having enjoyed my espresso and I realised that I’m a bit behind in sharing my music mixes!  So figured I’d catch up (a little bit – still 2 more after this to record!) and share one I made back before Christmas last year.  This morning though…it was simply fantastic to sleep in!  Then enjoyed my breakfast of coffee and sausages as I watched the French Open final…Simona Halep of Romania won…very deservedly so and I was quite happy to see her win her first Slam!!  Tomorrow won’t be able to watch the men’s final since I’ll be at church….but go Rafa!  King of Clay.  Shooting for French Open title..11 I think?  Ridiculous.  My fav men’s tennis player of all time, simply for his determination and craft and fiery passion for the game!!

Now…I did mean to share this music mix did I not??  This mix is a bit weird…reflective of me, of course.  I’ve long been wanting to do another dance CD – and I’ve been extremely happy with how this one turned out.  It’s actually been in my car music rotation ever since I burned it, which is very much indicative of my love for this music.  Is it weird crazy discotheque-esqe music?  Absolutely yes.  And sometimes…it’s fun to just enjoy the beat of some quality dance tunes, despite the quality(or lack thereof!) of the lyrics!!  So don’t take this mix as a thing of pure light and purer beauty….but just for the silly fun club music it is.  With these many disclaimers aside….let me present…Club West:

1.  A+ Superstar – Basslovers United
2.  Gonna Paint the Town – Camera X
3.  I’m All Yours – Cruise Controllerz
4.  I Wanna Dance with Somebody – The Cube Guys, Barbara Tucker
5.  No Cover Song – Deep Spirit feat. Kathy
6.  The Promiseland – DJ Gollum feat. DJ Cap
7.  We Like to Party – Dj Roxx
8.  Lost in the Discotheque – Empyre One
9.  21st Century Digital Girl – Groove Coverage
10.  Let Me Be Your Girl – Kompulsor
11.  Masterpiece – Manuel Lauren
12.  Touch the Stars – RaveBass
13.  We Got the Beat – Sonictunez
14.  Keys in Tokyo – Stepa K
15.  Tonight – Tomtrax & Orca
16.  Takin’ Me High – Withard & Juve Presents Sonera
17.  Gonna Be So Happy – Megastylez
18.  Shooting Stars – Tribune
19.  You – Special D.
20.  Forever – Sunray & Phillerz

Classic.  Let’s dance it up, y’all.  Such a fun mix, already have two more playlists similar to it that I’m currently building!!

Now…time to step out into the sunshine and further enjoy the lovingkindnesses of the Lord this day that He has made.

Peace and love, dear friends.

A Shocking Midnight Sun

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On my drive in to work this morning, began listening to an album I’ve not heard in quite some time…Mumford’s Sigh No More.  I forgot how amazing it is!!  Definitely made me a bit nostalgic for where I first heard it – back in my Aberdeen days.  I cast my mind back and remember listening to it as I drove from Aberdeen to Porthlethen with the sun rising over the sea.  But as for today…how quickly does music stir the emotions – and Mumford’s songs are just so raw and beautiful, soaked in passion and pain, longing and rage.  It most assuredly gives me the desire to write, but alas I have not the time.  Only the heart.

Perchance

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A wonderfully delightful Friday morning thus far!  I’ve already talked to Mom & Dad on phone…received texts from Maryanne & Laura and various others…and then as I drove in earlier this morning and changed to my next CD in rotation, it turned out to be my Owl City mix CD – songs I’ve not heard in some years but that immediately cheered my soul with their quirky romanticism and luscious soundscapes…mmm loveliness.  And now I enjoy my creamy mocha and sigh in gratitude at the thought of all that my God has done for me these past 31 years. 

Peace and love.

The Grave Is No Bar To My Call

James HoganLeave a comment

Last night the thunder rumbled deep and the lightnings frequently pulsed throughout the sky and although the rain did drop but softly, the night was not quiet.  And so despite the fact that it would have been glorious to have a good night’s sleep, I am sad to report that it was not so.  And thus I am most sleepy this morning.  But I still cannot complain, for the storm heralded the cold front which has now swept through and although 58 degrees isn’t particularly cold, I will take what I can get in April in Houston.  And today as I sleepily traversed the concrete river that is I10 into work, I pondered on the fact that back in Aberdeen days, I used to be able to commute with the countryside on my right side and the North Sea on my left…oh how I do miss the beauty of those days!  Alas it is not quite as pretty driving through the heart of Houston.  Yet this morning my heart was soothed with the music from the inimitable Seaspray and I reflected on the fact that my God assuredly has His hand upon me this day.  Now and forever.  And after I had a fun coffee chat with Jacqui over in my old building, I walked back over to my office and relished the chill air of the morning and gazed at the slowly lightening pre-dawn sky, blue striated with iron-grey clouds and holding the promise of far more than the eye can see.  Just as surely as in my Genesis reading today when Abram was told to go forth and he did and was promised many wonderful things…so I know my path is laid before me and my future is certainly beautiful.  Peace and love, my friends.  Now and forever. 

Gleeman

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So today I am…once again…but for the first time in a while…sitting at Starbucks here in Houston.  And as I let my mocha americano slightly cool so I can drink it without burning myself, I’m pondering on what to write here and as I think, I believe this will be a bit of a musical entry.  I realize I haven’t posted any of my most recent mixes(the horror!), and so I shall at least chronicle one of them this day(will save others for later on).  This is one of the mixes I did pre-Christmas, both for myself and to give a copy to Laura and Caisson!  I quite enjoy this one even though it’s quite an odd mix of alt and folk and…pop?  It makes me happy, even though it is maybe one of my most melancholy mixes yet.  If you listen to it, you’ll notice the “turn” or the “upward, boundless gaze of the heart” doesn’t come until…the last minute of the last song?  That is a rather late turn by my standards, but oh is it beautiful.  In my mind, this is a beautiful mix to play when it is grey and wet and dreary outside…bare branches waving in the wind and heart swooping to follow.  I should stop trying to describe it but merely post the tracklist.  Do be aware – it is named after one of the Ainur from the Silmarillion – the angelic being who weeps for grief and cries for mercy, even for the very foulest evildoers.  Enough dawdling pretense.  Allow me to present…The Tears of Nienna:

1. Kitchen Door – Wolf Larsen
2. Hunnie Pie – Zella Day
3. Forget About Life – Alvvays
4. Grazed Knees – Snow Patrol
5. Soon – Big Little Lions
6. Where Did You Come From – Andrew & Veda
7. Top of the Stairs – Scott Mulvahill
8. Modern Nature – Sondre Lerche
9. I Don’t Know – Benjamin Gibbard
10. Vito’s Ordination Song – Sufjan Stevens
11. Promise – Ben Howard
12. If I Go, I’m Goin’ – Gregory Alan Isakov
13. Upward Over the Mountain – Iron & Wine
14. This is What Makes Us Girls – Lana Del Rey
15. New Year’s Day – Taylor Swift
16. Day Breaks – Norah Jones
17. Liability – Lorde
18. Go Home – Julien Baker

And there you go.  Random eh?  I’m actually quite happy with it.

Now you may think I’m done with my musical talk for today but it is not to be.  I’ve spent the last hour(!!) or so updating my music metrics spreadsheet(by the way, this is my engineering side coming out…yes, I’ve made a spreadsheet to compile my music taste.  Delightfully nerdy, I know!!).  It took me a lot longer to update the artist/album counts…mostly because I didn’t realize how many mixes I’d made in 2017.  Seven!  Shockingly high count by my standards but it makes me happy too since I do like doing it.  At some point when I have more time, I may detail out some interesting(maybe) facts about my music listening…but for now, I’ll give the top nine artists on my list(for period 2015-2017, inclusive).  We have:

1. Green Day (12 tracks!)
2. Lorde (10)
3. Oh Hello’s (9)
4. The Postal Service (8)
5. Needtobreathe (7)
6. Seryn (7)
7. Switchfoot (7)
8. The Dø (7)
9. Zella Day (7)

I feel that Green Day is cheating just a bit, since I had one playlist last year(Lost and Not Yet Found) that had nine of their songs, which is practically a best-of and thus shouldn’t count…but hey, I’ll count them anyway. I do (somewhat guiltily!) love Green Day, so it’s not misleading.  The rest of the list makes sense…no big surprises.  I still have somewhat random taste, per usual.

My newest mix, which is still in my car – Never Again Sighs the Dawn – I’m still not totally sure if it’s going to be the final mix or not.  I like it…but wow, the flow is quite quirky.  (Even by my standards!!)  And it breaks some new ground in regards to country music…which may surprise a few people here and there.  Anyways, once I do finalize it I’ll eventually post tracklist here.  Eventually.  Next one I post here will be my dance CD from Christmas last year – one which Laura at least said she much enjoyed – yay!!

Ok – now I have sat here at Starbucks far too long and I really should probably get moving.  I have only talked about music today…shocking!!!  Ah well – ’tis fun to write about.  Now must get on to the rest of my day…be well my friends – go in the grace of our Lord!!!