Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Deisy (class of 2024) and features some reggaeton music in case you need a study break.
Party in the Club (Spanish edition)
I created this playlist for those who need a study break and are looking for a new type of music to get excited about. Reggaeton is music that I have grown up with and I think everyone can enjoy and dance to this type of music.
WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
Are you looking for the perfect movie soundtrack for a productive study session?
My favorite movie soundtrack to listen to is Amélie, composed by Yann Tiersen. Amélie is a French film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, released in 2001. The story revolves around Amélie Poulain, a shy and imaginative young woman with a unique perspective on life. Throughout the story, Amélie searches for love and connection, as she navigates her feelings for a quirky and introverted young man named Nino. The film is known for its visually rich cinematography and imaginative storytelling. It is essentially a celebration of the small joys in life, emphasizing the transformative power of kindness and the magic that can be found in everyday moments.
Yann Tiersen’s enchanting and evocative soundtrack for the film Amélie stands as a testament to the power of music in capturing the whimsy and charm of this cinematic world. The delicate piano melodies, accordion harmonies, and playful orchestration transport listeners into the imaginative universe of the main character. Tiersen’s ability to convey the innocence, romance, and melancholy within the film is truly extraordinary. From the waltz of “Comptine d’un autre ete: L’apres-midi” to the introspective notes of “La Valse d’Amélie,” (my personal favorite) each piece is a musical masterpiece that mirrors the emotional depth and complexity of the narrative.
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
One of the most popular movie trilogies of the 1980s, Back to the Future follows Marty McFly, a boy who travels through time in a time machine made out of a DeLorean by local scientist, Doctor Emmett Brown (better known as “Doc”). In the first film, Marty accidentally goes back in time to 1955, and prevents his parents from falling in love. He finds a younger Doc, and they make a plan to get Marty’s parents back together, and then send him back to the future. Throughout the film, you hear a vibrant soundtrack that adds suspense to the story. The composer for this orchestral score, Alan Silvestri, met Back to the Future’s film director, Robert Zemeckis, when he composed the soundtrack for Romancing the Stone (a 1984 Zemeckis film). After the Back to the Future trilogy, Silvestri went on to work with Zemeckis for many, many more years.
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
The Lumineers are an alternative-folk band founded by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites in Denver, Colorado. Their first studio album, titled The Lumineers after their band name, was released in 2012 and features popular hits like “Ho Hey” and “Stubborn Love.” The band’s traditional sound, lively stage presence, and heartfelt lyrics drew in loyal fans from across genres and led to impressive feats for the group. The Lumineers were nominated for two Grammys after the release of their first album, highlighting their potential and influence in the folk (and popular) music scene.
For me, the Lumineers’ music is so special because it brings up childhood nostalgia while still holding present-day significance. I first heard their classic songs on the radio and my iPod growing up, so the lyrics and melodies became ingrained in my mind even as I explored other genres and artists. The past few years, I’ve fallen back in love with folk-inspired music, including the Lumineers’ latest releases. Each of their albums hold true to the group’s soulful and acoustic roots while exploring new themes that appeal to a wide variety of listeners. From “Flowers in Your Hair,” to “Cleopatra,” to “Donna,” to “ROLLERCOASTER,” the Lumineers consistently put out songs with catchy verses and simple chords, allowing their audience to easily sing and play along.
If you’re looking to explore folk music, The Lumineers features tons of hits and is the perfect album to start out. It’s available for checkout in the Parsons Music Library so give a listen if you’re interested!
Welcome back to Parsons Playlists! Today’s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Xipeng (class of 2024) and it features some of the best K-pop from 2023.
WDCE 90.1: UR Radio is the voice of independent radio in Richmond, VA and has been student-run and operated since 1960.
Students have used it as a launching pad for careers in radio or other mass communications, and also as an engaging extra-curricular activity. Community members and UR alumni also continue to play an important role in the station.
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
If you’ve tried improving or mastering any type of skill, whether it be academic, athletic, or musical, you’ve probably heard the phrase “practice makes perfect.” However, this quote may eventually lead one to discouragement. How could you possibly become better if you aren’t practicing as much as you want to?
Professor Green was a highly esteemed teacher who taught with a focus on violin and stringed instruments. In the Practicing Successfully, she writes,” Ultimate success depends upon one immutable, inescapable, and well-publicized fact: the musician has to practice successfully or not.” When you see famous athletes or musicians, the one thing they mention is the continual efforts they’ve put in to reach the point they’re at. So, what makes them different from the others? One section of the book Professor Green points to is the physiological principle of practice and how we can adjust so that we can maximize the productivity of the session.
I have this book checked out personally to myself right now, but I recommend all musicians to take a look at it! Even if you are not a musician, these principles of practice can be applied to other aspects of life.
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
The Beatles have been an iconic part of music history since their original formation in the 60s, and well after their break-up with their impression ever-lasting on today’s music and music culture. With over 33 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, The Beatles impression has continued through the present day generation. Fans today, whether a new fan or old, know what the Abbey Road crossing is. While the Beatles originated from Liverpool, the Abbey Road album (1969) features a picture outside the studio they often used in London. Fans today visit the crosswalk to see the studio as well as recreate the famous picture. Some may ask why fans go all the way to St. John’s Wood in London to see this? David Hepworth answers this question in his new release focused on the studio itself. Paul McCartney even gives insights into the history and the magic that lies within the studio.
I was originally inspired to write something about the Beatles since they have been a very influential band to my music taste and I find myself listening to their music quite often. I was drawn to this specific book as it talks more about the studio on Abbey Road. Although I am from the US, my family lives in London currently and we live down the road from this very crosswalk. This summer while training for a 10k, I would run past this crosswalk everyday and by the tons of people gathered outside the studio, whether they were waiting to take a recreation photo on the sidewalk or waiting to enter into the studio itself. It always amazed me how even if it was completely miserable out, cold and raining as it typically is, these people would still be there. And all of them would still be smiling and having a completely wonderful time. It made me wonder: What is so special about the inside of that studio? Is it that amazing? And while I’ve never taken a visit to the studio in my 2.5 years living there, after reading this book and learning more about it, it is on my must-visit list for when I return over winter or summer break!
Editor’s note:Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
Kanye West has been one of the most talented and controversial men in the current music industry. Apart from the many social and political statements he has made throughout the years, West is one of the best producers and lyricists in music.
Additionally, those interested in finding out more about this artist and where he has come from, there is an amazing documentary on Netflix called jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy. It’s a very interesting documentary that shows the process of his first album and how he came up in the musical scene.
