Sound Biscuits | Donald Brink

I don’t like playlists. I’m an artist and thoroughly enjoy the entire journey of an album. Anything that’s thought cover to end and arranged with a narrative arc. That’s as much and part of the creative expression from a musician or even better a band.
They are not just songs you hear.
 
Now to be clear, I do love and listen to the radio. But you get to a song and becomes a segway to that person or groups journeys they offer in a body of work.
So listen to things till something grabs you. Exit.
Listen to that album start to finish, move on or repeat.
 
The tracks in here are mere representations of artists who’s album I really appreciate or entire body of work I find interesting, inspiring and most of all creative.
There’s enough music out there to not have to listen to things that don’t move one. I was sent a playlist by a friend a few weeks back early in the morning. I was deep in a very detailed and difficult art project at the time.  After 3 hours of music that was good, to me it was creating such angst.
I’ve learned to be honest with how music makes me feel. Also, listen to any and everything.
Give things a chance. And this rounds out the concept of a playlist.

I feel a responsibility to let listeners know, these are off ramps into creative worlds I think are genius. They might play well in the background or on a shuffle in a pinch,
but they serve as representations of journeys available.
Find the trip you need to join your own.

I’ve never made a playlist. Mixed cassette tapes growing up, pirated off the radio, sure. This was a daunting task because of your time. And yet, just like most projects or tasks assigned, parameters can help produce the best most engaging work.

All female artists. This is self assigned.
I went through my top five songs.
A task assigned by my family a few months ago in a casual conversation.
It came from instinctual remarks to a song in play at a given time. That’s a top song…
Surprisingly, they turned out all bring female vocal or front acts. Things like:

Lovefool. The Cardigans
99 red balloons. Lola?
concrete blond : Joey

I used this as the restriction for the parameters to the list. With all new or emerging artists and albums. I’m not sure exactly why, but I believe it might have to do with sibling harmonies. Singing along with a female vocal to me is naturally unique. Think of the greatest duos and how often it’s a duet of range and tone. So with a good song and a female vocal at play, there is an open lane within to play as you join.
Not a strict rule, but potential reason to why I resonate.

It was also most interesting to listen to someone singing about something you understand, but not from their perspective. It helps you learn. It helps me learn.

What’s the intention behind this playlist?
Ideal place or state of mind that it best serves?
Headphones, light duty tasks. Or if you have a nice car audio, there’s a chance it could sit right. Long drive not start stop.

I always need music on when I’m working, what about you?
When or where does music best serve you?
I design and draw boards out without any interruption. Thereafter, I drown the tools and accompany the crafting. It’s actually a requirement in every custom order process. To supply an album to accompany me as I build you something. The range has been incredibly diverse over the years and to date, never with a repeated suggestion. It’s been an interesting assignment, some things one knows, some stuff at first glimpse, way off what I’d choose or seek. However to honor the concept, I listen. It informs the work from the kind of fabric inlay to the type of blue or green. It’s one more reference to preferential frequency. Colors, sounds, waves, boards. They have a vibe man.

If you could, describe your music taste in one sentence?
I’m told I like musicians music. I like to think it’s a good song and application of creativity. Songs which can’t hold up being covered by anyone in most styles.

What influences your music taste the most?
This is funny. I went to school for Audio Engineering. Worked in studios, traveled the world playing and mixing bands. I’m listening to music in an all encompassing manner. Some records are pretty good, but the drum sound is so well captured that it’s just makes you do laps on the tracks. So it’s as much about how things sound and the sonic arrangements, mostly of real instruments, I’m enjoying. Good songs are a must and creative statements or stance are probably the most important in the end. Artists making things you can tell they love. It’s refreshing and empowering.

Songwriting first, real instrumentation, 3-piece bands.

If you had one album only for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Paul Simon. Graceland. It’s detailed and nuanced, old enough to be trusted and with its African connection most nostalgic.

As with your board designs, is your music taste constantly evolving and
shape shifting, and if so, how?
Yes, constantly have an open ear. Find a taste and explore the entire catalog. Since this list, Lola Young was introduced to me. Brilliant, would fit and suit the list.
I do embrace genres for vibe at times. Found some house tunes that get the cold morning energy up. It’s a dealers choice.

Was your playlist intended to be a start to finish or set it on shuffle?
There is an attention to dynamics the way I laid it out, but you cannot defend or predict people use and habit. The last track needs to be last. It closes things out nicely. (Francis of Delirium ) - “Give it back to me”

Any standout tracks or artists from your playlist?
Francis of Delirium. I forecast greatness, cannot wait for more. Holds up in acoustic version too.
Wet Leg: From first listen it was brilliance. Absolutely creative beyond what any one else was willing or able to commit to. Potential for beyond creativity with the next record is wide open and awaited.
Middle Kids: Solid Auzzie staple. I just love how Hanna writes about life. As we grow these stories will be a refreshing listen.
Margaret Glaspy: Real guitars and raw songs. Love it.
Pheobe Bridgers: I referenced her as this modern age Joni Mitchell to a friend. Respectfully in all directions. She is tremendous and so clearly talented. Consider just how creative she is. Who has re-written Silent Night in a hundred years with a creative take on the night at hand. It’s all about art and creativity.
Maggie Rogers is so prolific. Good songs, raw thoughts. I’m interested, always.
Arlo Parks: Her poems are lovely. Need more poems, love it.

Some of these albums get dark and heavy, but it’s about the perspective on these things I admire. Understood or foreign, they are creative arrangements to learn from. 

Do you play favorites? If so, what are your top 3 bands of all time?
You see this what I don’t understand how, what or why. These quick lists getting filtered in my head reveal patterns, but I don’t know why
and of course they are only part of what’s on offer.
As interesting to my myself as to this context. Irish singer songwriters on mainstream instruments and paired down or orchestral arrangements.
Damien Rice
Glen Hansard
Inhaler
Fontaines DC

Thanks Donny!

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