Each day I add music to my soundtrack to 2020 Spotify playlist. Here’s the list for the second batch in June, the start of my 51st year on Earth.
Thursday 11 June: Bronski Beat – I Feel Love
It’s #throwbackthursday reflecting on the Giorgio Moroder synthesizer disco I Feel Love made popular by Donna Summer in 1977 and covered by Bronski Beat in 1984.
Friday 12 June: SCHWARZ – Shine
In the Behind Closed Door live sessions at ufaFabrik Berlin, German synthesizer hero Thorsten Quaeschning (Tangerine Dream, etc.) collaborates with other synth lovers to create beautiful music live and stream in through Youtube on Monday and Thursday evenings. Yesterday, people were afraid that adding vocals would harm the concept, but Schwarz (Roland Meyer de Voltaire) singing and playing guitar performed magic with e.g. a lengthy, improvised version of Shine. On Bandcamp the result can be listened to or downloaded.
Saturday 13 June: Austra – I Am Not Waiting
One of the artists that surprised me while playing the Pensentient New Synthpop Daily playlist, was the Canadian Austra who released HiRUDiN on 1 May 2020. I’ll review the full album in the upcoming weeks.
Sunday 14 June: Mira Awad, Norman Issa – Think of Others
We divided my birthday party into groups not to have all the family members in one room harming the 1.5-meter social distance. Yet, we spoke extensively about the need to meet each other, care for parents (in-law), and the fine line between taking responsibility and panic.
Monday 15 June: Frozen Plasma – Etmal
German synth pop duo Frozen Plasma released their fourth album Gezeiten (tide) last Friday. I picked the instrumental Etmal (day) for today.
Tuesday 16 June: Anna Bergendahl – Speak Love
So many ways to speak love. The Swedish singer Anna Bergendahl shows some.
Wednesday 17 June: William DeVaughn – Blood Is Thicker Than Water
I can confirm again after tonight’s blood plasma donation at Sanquin blood bank in Zwolle: blood is thicker than water.
Thursday 18 June: Synthetic Division & Ships In the Night – Drive
On this #throwbackthursday a new version of The Cars‘ Drive (1984), their biggest hit. To refresh your memory, here’s the official video clip of the original, a quite depressive set.
Friday 19 June: Christel Alsos – The Losing Kind
We’re vulnerable. Norwegian Christel Alsos sings about this in her new single The Losing Kind.
Saturday 20 June: Erwin de Vries – Komt weer goud
This crazy times will be over, it will get well again, sings Erwin de Vries in the dialect of Groningen, where I’m walking today.
