Brant's January 2025 Playlist

Note to self:  Don't accept any more hats from your new friend Galinda...

Another year down the drain!  The fun part was as I was compiling this month's playlist I got to see what other friends had listed as their "Best of 2024".  It's a great way to find new stuff, as well as validate some of my own picks.  January's list leans towards Indie Rock - not sure if that's because that's what a lot of my friends were listening to or if I somehow skewed the choices.  Either way, hope you enjoy!  And Happy New Year!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Uncharted (Clover County) - Athens, GA artist last appeared on our June 2024 playlist, and she's back with more comfort vibes to kick off the first playlist of the year!  

2.  Sexy to Someone (Clairo) - Another Georgia native serves up this great little tune, produced by Leon Michels - one of the original members of Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings!  

3.  Enemies (Magic City Hippies) - Miami band keeps the smooth Indie vibe going! 

4.  Gravity (Pale Waves) - This was on my friend Tim's "Best of 2024" list, and I loved the 90's pop rock feel to the song!  

5.  El Camino High (Moody Joody) - Nashville band is serving mellow country and classic cars! 

6.  Lucy (Pacific Avenue) - Energetic Alt Rock from Down Under! 

7.  Sunday Best (Lauren Mayberry) - Sometimes when I'm Lyfting, if I hear a song I like I'll Shazam it.  This was one such tune!  Scottish lead singer and percussionist of Chvrches goes solo and keeps the frenetic beats front and center! 

8.  Bed Chem (Sabrina Carpenter) - Is there nothing Sabrina can't sing?!?  Love the 80s R&B vibes she's bringing to this bedroom jam.  

9.  Lonely Dancers (Conan Gray) - Another one from a friend's "Best of 2024" list!  Muscular New Wave beats that bring to mind classic bands like Men Without Hats.  

10.  Beat of Your Heart (Purple Disco Machine) - We've had a few songs from the latest PDM album, so I figured why not one more before year end? 

11.  Sweet & Sublime (L'Impératrice feat. Erick the Architect) - Minimalist funk as only the French can do it!  

12.  From Here (NxWorries) - The latest Anderson.Paak project retains his classic soul leanings.  

13.  Got to Get Better in a Little While (Derek & the Dominoes) - I heard this on the soundtrack to "Dark Winds" (great show, btw!) and immediately made a note to download it!  Classic Clapton. 

14.  Tell Me Why U Do That (Grace Bowers & the Hodge Podge) - Why aren't more bands doing old school blues/funk like this???  This lady rocks! 

15.  Blood Moon (Josiah & the Bonnevilles) - We had his cover of Taylor Swift on last month's playlist, so I was curious to hear some of his own songs.  This tune did not disappoint.  

16.  I'd Rather Overdose (honestav feat. Z) - Multi-genre artist from Springfield, MO sings with experience beyond his years.  

17.  The Architect (Kasey Musgraves) - I caught Kasey when she came through Charlotte last month and she put on a great show.  The connection she has to her fans is tangible.  

18.  Merry Go Round (Victoria Williams) - This is from the 80's, but it popped up on my iPod the other day and I forgot how much I liked it.  I figured it was a positive reminder to keep the "Merry" in the Merry Go Round as we enter a new year!

So that's January's playlist!  Everyone stay safe, and I'll see you in 2025 (hopefully!).  

Brant's December 2024 Playlist

Time to "pack" up another year!  

Whoa.  The last playlist of 2024.  After the year I've had, you would think I'd be ready to put 2024 behind me and welcome 2025 - but then the election happened.  I have no idea what the next 4 years will be like but I'm not excited.  Probably mandatory Christmas music from Labor Day until December 31st, if Project 2025 gets put into policy.  So anyway, as an antidote to the dread, I kept this month's playlist joyful and fun and free of references to the C word (although there's one seasonal song).  Hope you enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Scumbag (Role Model) - Tucker Harrington Pillsbury is becoming a regular in Brantworld, and deservedly so!  Catchy melodies and a very camera-ready countenance.  What more could we want? Here's his latest appealing ditty.  

2.  Anti-Hero (Josiah & the Bonnevilles) - I always say a great tune can be presented in various styles and still be awesome.  Here's a prime example - a rootsy/bluegrass cover of one of Taylor Swift's recent hits! 

3.  Overrated (Arms Akimbo with Harbour) - LA rockers are determined to get over their ex.  Results TBD...

4.  Manpower (Pixey) - Lordy I love this woman!  Here's hoping she tours and comes to Charlotte soon!  

5.  Supersad (Suki Waterhouse) - One of those songs that makes you want to put all the windows down in the car, turn up the stereo, and drive on a road with no speed limit!  

6.  Moon Man (Balu Brigada) - Peppy alt-rock from New Zealand duo. 

7.  There's Frost on the Moon (Gordon Webster feat. Hetty Kate) - As seasonal songs go, this ragtime tune is relatively enjoyable.  I had the original on my December 2017 playlist - so what a treat to find this contemporary version!  

8.  Letting Myself Go (BØRNS) - BØRNS has been through some rough times, but his songwriting is solid!  Perhaps even better as he deals with post-cancellation life.  I'm digging it.  

9.  Ai No Corrida (Quincy Jones) - What a loss to the music industry when Quincy Jones passed away.  This is from his 1981 album "The Dude", and hints at the greatness coming when Jones & Michael Jackson would team up for "Thriller".  RIP

10.  Paradise (Mark Lower feat. Alexandra Prince) - Groovy disco version of the Sade classic!  Again - a great song in a new format and there's still magic!

11.  Holding On (Dizzy Days) - I was seeking an upbeat, super-catchy pop tune!  Mission accomplished.

12.  People Watching (Sam Fender) - Another frequent Brantworld listee is back, seemingly channeling Bruce Springsteen or the Killers.  This is another driving-with-the-windows-down selection! 

13.  Giving Up (Michigander) - Kalamazoo band delivers a toe-tapping alt-rock anthem. 

14.  The Angel & the Saint (Goldie Boutilier) - Haunting vocals and trippy beats from Canadian singer/songwriter.

15.  Whore (Mehro) - We had Mehro on last month's playlist, and he's back with this forgiving love song!

16.  The Lonely One (Hayley Mary) - Australian singer and former member of the Jezebels continues her solo streak with this winning offering.  Zach turned me on to this artist! 

17.  By Now (Selma Eriksen) - Young singer/songwriter had a 1960s girl group energy that immediately drew me in!  

18.  Know Who You Are at Every Age (Anajah with Gary Gunn) - This is from Red Hot's TRANSA collection, highlighting trans artists.  Ethereal cover of the Cocteau Twins tune.  

19.  Superficial /Keys & Copper Remix/ (Alesha Dixon) - An exuberant remix of English singer/rapper closes us out, and hopefully gets us energized for the New Year!  

So that's our final playlist for 2024!  Hope the rest of the year goes well for everyone - and I suppose we'll meet again in 2025!  Take care! 

Brant's November 2024 Playlist

I voted early.  From now on I'm just going to try to not worry about this election,
and focus on my parade float selfies!  

Ugh.  Halloween is behind us and good fear is being replaced with bad fear.  That existential dread you're probably feeling is because there's an election next week.  Considering the last one ended up with a bunch of wackos storming the Capitol, I don't think anyone is excited.  So, in an effort to stay positive and calm - this month's playlist leans towards happy vibes and comforting sounds.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  I Feel Alive (Art d'Ecco) - I'm getting Adam Ant vibes from this in all the right ways! And it seems to capture the leftover high from Halloween.  

2.  Taste (Sabrina Carpenter) - Current pop "it" girl keeps the hits coming!  The video is hilarious as well! 

3.  Am I? (Joy Oladokun) - Arizona singer/songwriter is also feeling some existential dread, but is able to present it in an enjoyable format with this catchy tune!

4.  Fake Nice (Beach Weather) - Duplicity is exhausting, say frequent Brantworld listees!

5.  Wrong Way (Two Friends feat. Alexander Stewart) - LA duo serves us some peppy dance/pop complete with a horns section!  

6.  b2b (Charli XCX feat. Tinashe) - Brat Summer (now Fall?!?) continues with a remix album and Charli collaborating with a galaxy of guest stars!  

7.  Kinky (bby) - Youthful alt-rock from East London, UK! 

8.  Slow Rider (Sherwyn) - Silly but fun offering that samples War's "Low Rider"!  It makes me smile, so here 'tis! 

9.  Ketamine (mehro) - Easygoing folk-rock from Indie singer/songwriter.

10.  Slow Burn (Baby Rose feat. BADBADNOTGOOD) - Psychedelic jazz/soul to soothe your frazzled nerves!  Eric turned me on to this. 

11. Amber (Tom the Lion) - Mellow soft rock from British singer/songwriter.  I guess animal names are popular these days - check out the next artist! 

12.  Moves (Squid the Kid) - Disco-influenced beats that draw you in like tentacles!  From Australian artist. 

13. Tears (John Summit feat. Paige Cavell) - More clubby beats with a darker edge!  

14.  Cool-Doug, at Night (Sammy Rae & the Friends) - I can't remember where I heard this campy, disco number but (like the "Slow Rider" tune) I just thought it was fun!

15.  Television of Memories (Alexsucks) - This one moves us back into brooding territory, but still nicely done! 

16.  Darkest Places (Amos Lee) - It's been a while since we've have Amos Lee on a playlist (March 2019!), but I liked this latest song!  Very 1970s Laurel Canyon vibe to it.  

17.  Dreams (Carol Ades) - Singer from "The Voice" tv show shows off her versatile vocals with this latest offering!  

18.  Searching for My Man (Dot & the Velvelettes) - Another tune from the fantabulous Basement Beehive compilation!  I've been trying to find out if this is the same Velvelettes group that gave us "Needle in a Haystack" but so far no luck!  Seems plausible, though. 

19.  Beaches (beabadoobee) - Sunny vibes from Indie singer/songwriter.

So that's November's playlist!  I guess we'll see if anyone's around in December after these election results come in.  Y'all stay safe out there.

Brant's October 2024 Playlist

"So you guys would rather listen to my playlist than eat my brains?!?
I'm flattered, relieved and insulted at the same time!"

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!  Halloween season is upon us!  In celebration, I've got a few spooky (and spooky-adjacent) tunes thrown into this month's mix.  Also included are some 60's-inspired folk and psych-rock, returning fave artists, and one or two wacky selections just for fun.  Enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE. 

1.  Burial Ground (the Decemberists) - What better way to start us off than a song about cemeteries?!?

2.  Look at That Woman (Role Model) - We had him on my March 2023 playlist, and now Mr. Tucker Harrington Pillsbury is back with some Laurel Canyon/West Coast-style pop rock!   

3.  World on a String (Lady Gaga) - A pop star has to reach a certain level of success before they are allowed to get weird.  Fortunately Gaga is there.  This is off her latest album, inspired by her character Harley Quinn in the new Joker movie.  I doubt I'll see the movie, but I did love this deliciously subversive take on an old Cotton Club classic!  

4.  Before I Let Go (Maze feat. Frankie Beverly) - We lost Frankie Beverly last month.  It was impossible not to feel the joy whenever he sang.  RIP

5.  Jupiter (Almost Monday) - Funky alt-rock from frequent Brantworld listees!  

6.  45 Degrees (Laurel) - British Indie-pop singer/songwriter should have a bright future ahead of her if she continues to serve up catchy tunes such as this!  

7.  Literal Bae (Greg Shilling) - Contemporary yacht rock vibes that would make Hall & Oates smile! 

8.  Devil's Gotten Into My Baby (the Devotions) - This is off the Basement Beehive compilation.  I couldn't find much about the group, but I liked the song and it had "devil" in the title so it worked for Halloween too!  #winning 

9.  Sticks + Stones (Gallant) - Trippy acoustic R&B from Maryland singer/songwriter. 

10.  You Stepped Out of a Dream (Samara Joy) - Rich, velvety jazz offering from young Grammy winner.

11.  Sheesh (Little Monarch) - Danceable jazz/R&B from Venice, California collective.  

12.  Dirty Little Secret (Artemas) - New Wave/alt-rock from English-Cypriot singer/songwriter. 

13.  Something On My Mind (Purple Disco Machine feat. Nothing But Thieves & Duke Dumont) - I never would've expected these three to get together, but should've known the results would be great!  

14.  ¿Para Qué? (Ela Taubert) - I really haven't explored Latin music, but with it being Hispanic Heritage Month I decided to check some things out!  I really enjoyed this tune by up-and-coming Colombian singer Ela Taubert!  Shakira better watch her back! 

15.  Backsliders (Sarah Shook & the Disarmers) - NC artist is back with more tasty alt-country!  They're on tour currently so I may try to catch them.  

16.  Along for the Ride (COIN) - It's been about 2 years since COIN made one of my playlists, so I was very excited to see new music from this Tennessee band! 

17.  Brain Freeze (Everyone Says Hi) - British supergroup contains members from the Kaiser Chiefs, the Kooks, Howling Bells and the Dead 60s!  The full album comes out in January, but I'm digging this first psych-rock single.  

18.  Nine to Five (Josef Scott) - Groovy, chill electronica from Indie artist.  (spoiler alert:  It's not the Dolly Parton song!)

19.  Baddy on the Floor (Jamie XX feat Honey Dijon) - Enigmatic beatmaster teams up with DJ, trans activist and Beyoncé collaborator for this energetic dancefloor filler! 

20.  Midnight Madness (Cerrone/Don Ray) - I'm still on a Cerrone kick from last month, so I immediately knew this Halloween disco masterpiece ("Spooky nights!  Freaky lights!") had to close out our October playlist!  

So that's October's playlist!  Hope everyone has a spook-tacular Halloween month and I'll see you in November!  

Brant's September 2024 Playlist

We can't send the kids back to school with no music! 

September is finally here!  The weather is cooling off, the kids are off to school, and the bugs are going back to hell or wherever they came from!  Maybe it's the Beyoncé Effect, but I found a lot of country-adjacent songs this month.  Since September is birthday month, I also indulged myself by throwing in a few oldies.  Anyway, hope you enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  One on One /Cerrone Remix/ (the Knocks & Sofi Tukker) - What a treat to have Cerrone still out there doing his thing!  I love the disco-edge he brings to this collab.   

2.  Fallin' (Sleepy Tom & DACEY) - Canadian artist serves up some tasty dance pop!  

3.  Strawberry Dream (Dagny) - Dagny should be a bigger star than she is!  She's huge in Norway but with catchy songs like this in her arsenal, I think it's time for a world takeover.  

4.  Breaking By (Jelani Aryeh) - We had him on our March 2024 playlist, and now that a proper album has been released this West Coast artist is back with more youthful alt rock.  

5.  Rainbow Overpass (Bright Eyes & Alex Orange Drink) - Conor Oberst and gang team up with The So So Glos lead singer.  Fave lyric:  

That old familiar sound when my cellphone hits the ground

When that thing just doesn't sing, it's just something I drag around

I know the feeling.

6.  Dum Dum De Dip (Judi & The Affections) - I found this on a digital playlist I'm dying to explore called "Basement Beehive: the Girl Group Underground"!  Anyone who knows me, knows I'm #obsessed with the girl groups of the 1960s!  Can't wait to see what other hidden treasures are on there!

7.  Nice to Know You (lovelytheband) - A welcome return from a band I haven't featured since November 2018!  It's crazy how stuff slips on and off my radar.  

8.  Midnight Ride (Orville Peck with Kylie Minogue & Diplo) - I've actually been listening to this for a month or two, but it never seemed to fit on a playlist until now!  Great, and unexpected, collaboration! 

9.  Small Town Scandal (Zolita) - This is giving me shades of Shania Twain!  Can sassy country be making a comeback???  

10.  Knee Deep Blues (Caleb Caudle) - Traditional folk/country/blues from young NC artist.  

11.  Broke (Teddy Swims feat Thomas Rhett) - Mitch turned me on to this!  Upbeat blues from popular signer/songwriter.  

12.  Please Come On Inside (Madeleine Peyroux) - Peyroux explores many different genres on her latest album, and it was hard to choose just one for this month's playlist.  I finally settled on this mellow number.  The whole album is awesome, though!  

13.  Panoramic View (AWOLNATION) - Atmospheric ballad from Los Angeles rockers.  

14.  Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter) - Gary turned me on to this artist, and I was immediately drawn in by this irresistible ditty.  

15.  Sincerely, Your Girlfriend (Little Green) - Australian singer/songwriter wrote a song a day during the lockdown!  If they're all as good as this one, she's got one heck of an album coming out! 

16.  Whatever U Want (Hard Car Kids) - Funky R&B from Detroit band.  

17.  You Are the One (Cerrone feat. Jocelyn Brown) - The Cerrone remix (see #1) got me digging through the crates where I found this lightning hot 1980 disco number with GOAT session singer Jocelyn Brown!  

18.  Before I Let You Go (Cyril feat. MarcLo) - More country/dance/pop vibes, this time by Australian DJ/producer Cyril Riley. 

19.  Discount Dreamer (Lostboycrow) - I thought this was BØRNS when I first heard it!  Dreamy, psych-pop from Portland, OR artist.  

20.  Slutty (The Scarlet Opera) - Okay, why aren't more bands doing this kind of frisky, glam rock???  I'm totally enamored with this song and video!  Can't wait to see what else this group is up to.  

So that's September's playlist!  Sorry it's a tad late - between work, Labor Day and my birthday, I got a tad behind schedule.  Hopefully I'll be back on October 1st!  Have a great month.  

 

Brant's August 2024 Playlist

Here we are in August 2024!  So what's been going on?  Summer Olympics in Paris.  As all great art should, the imagery (religious undertones referencing Jesus' Last Supper, Dionysus's Feast, etc) has upset some people.  I didn't take it too personally, although there were portraits of famous people submerged up to their eyes in the Seine and I found that a little unnerving. Was this a statement on people overwatering their summer lawns?  Who can say?  Overall, I think France did a good job with the event.   But speaking of feasts - we've got a heaping helpin' of new music to enjoy!  Dig in HERE.   

1.  Pretty Vicious (the Struts) - Frequent Brantworld listees kick us off with this alt offering!  

2.  Goon (Dear Rouge) - Tasty punk rock from Juno Award-winning Canadian duo.  

3.  Toro (Remi Wolf) - I'm thoroughly enjoying Remi Wolf's new album.  If the Powers That Be want to make her our next big pop star, I'm down with that! 

4.  Run Away Girl (Alice Merton) - I heard this on Alt Nation's Top 18 and decided to share it.  Her bio says she is British based and is German/Irish/Canadian, so it sounds like this "runaway girl" has covered a lot of ground.  

5.  Tangerine /Roosevelt Remix/ (Tommy Newport) - It's always fun when two artists you like team up!  Here we have Newport & Roosevelt with a peppy pop collaboration.

6.  Breakthrough (Emmy Meli) - Young American R&B/pop star has an appealing confidence beyond her years.  

7.  Wild Horses (Mondo Cozmo) - Every now and again I like to look up an artist that I enjoyed back in the day.  What a treat to find new stuff from this rocker.  I'm getting lots of Rolling Stones references in the lyrics.  

8.  Levi (Stop Light Observations) - Catchy folk rock from Charleston, SC band.

9.  Ready (Troy Javelona) - Why aren't more people making slinky bedroom jams like this today???

10.  Showman Dan (Madeleine Peyroux) - Oh, Madeleine, how I've missed you!  Another old fave whose return I welcome with open arms!  She's also great in concert if you get a chance to see her. 

11.  It's All Good, Kid (DellaXOZ) - Young British chanteuse has a knack for catchy pop hooks! 

12.  Lift You Up (Jessie Ware with Romy) - Eric turned me on to this.  Two more fantabulous talents who've joined forces to make magic!  Danceable pop to get your pulse racing.  

13.  Substitution (Purple Disco Machine feat. Julian Perretta) - Purple Disco Machine never disappoints.  This dance number also brings to mind great 80s New Wave acts like Talk Talk and Bronksi Beat.  

14.  Good Luck, Babe! (Chappell Roan) - Yaaaaas, queen!  Up and coming Pop Princess continues to serve engaging and catchy numbers.  

15.  3 Sisters (Waxahatchee) - Okay, I'm noticing there are a lot of returning favorite acts on here.  Not that it's a bad thing.  Waxahatchee has a voice that goes straight to your heart.  No autotune needed.  

16.  Loser's Lounge (Charley Crockett) - Classic country vibes to go with your end-of-summer blues.  

17.  Whatever That Is (the Bygones) - This is from the debut album of folk duo Joshua Lee Turner and Allison Young.  Can't wait to hear more from them.  

18.  Favourite (Fontaines DC) - Energetic Alt Rock from Irish band (wait- they're NOT from Washington DC???)

19.  Apple (Charli XCX) - Another frequent Brantworld listee (and now Kamala Harris endorser) leans into her club days with this newest tune.  

20.  BONUS TRACK - Slay Bitch  (Remi Wolf) - I was torn whether to include "Toro" or this song on my August playlist.  Finally I decided NOT to decide - they're both awesome.  

So that's August's playlist!  Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer and I'll see you next month!  

Brant's July 2024 Playlist

Leaning into summer like... 

Summer is in full swing, so there's nothing to do but to lean into it!  This month's playlist is chock full of summery vibes - lots of Indie rock, hot soul, and even a reggae tune to boot!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Sweet Dream (Tommy Newport) - Kansas-based Indie rocker kicks us off with this toe-tapper!

2.  Rainbow (Cage the Elephant) - Funky psych-rock from frequent Brantworld listees. 

3.  I'm the Man (JUNO) - We had them on last November's playlist, and they're back with more sunny pop! 

4.  I Don't Feel Anything (Kate Peytavin) - Social media star/artist serves up some teenage existential numbness!  

5.  Cinderella (Remi Wolf) - California-based former American Idol contestant is always good for some easy-going West Coast pop. 

6.  I'm Not Bitter (Daďi Freyr) - Iceland is about as far from California as you can get, but they both found a home in Brantworld!  

7.  Tonight I Give In (Angela Bofill) - I love me some Angela Bofill, so it was heartbreaking to see she passed away last month.  This was one of her biggest ballads, and it sounds as fresh today as it did when she released it back in 1983.  RIP.  

8.  HERicane (Lucky Daye) - Another American Idol alum (and a Grammy winner!) returns with this breezy R&B number. 

9.  Everything She Wants (Gus Dapperton) - More 80s gold - this time with a cover of Wham!'s 1984 hit! 

10.  Hi Grace (Dominic Fike) - Where does the time go?  We last had Dominic Fike on my February 2019 playlist!  5 years later, he's back with this heavily-mixed ditty.  Kinda sounds like Bob Dylan if he had a hip hop studio!  

11.  Backbone /It's Not Over/ (Morgxn) - LA-based artist vaguely reminds me of the Killers, in all the best ways!

12.  Bells and Whistles (Bright Eyes) - I was torn between this song and "The Living Thing" from the Deluxe Edition Monsters of Folk album.  Either way, we get new Conor Oberst!  Yay!!!  

13.  Bleach (Dexter and the Moonrocks) - These guys describe their sound as "Western Space Grunge" and I can totally hear it!  Can't wait to explore more of their catalog.  

14.  Long to Be Home (Morgan Heritage and Eddy Kenzo) - It wouldn't be summer without some reggae, so here ya go!  I saw the lead singer of this band just died, which is sad.  RIP

15.  Comin' Around Again (Amber Mark) - Amber is giving me early Chaka Khan vibes here! 

16.  Easy to Love (Aaron Frazer) - Peppy disco-funk from Baltimore artist. 

17.  Bring Back the Beat (Pixey) - Pixey has become another artist I turn to when I need some upbeat dance-pop.  She never disappoints! 

18.  Drifting (Jacklen Ro) - Indie pop duo from LA is serving beautiful harmonies over warm beats and I cannot get enough!  

19.  Sea of Heartbreak (Don Gibson) - This was on the soundtrack of a show I was watching recently (perhaps "Hacks"?) and I made a note to download it.  Don Gibson was a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee but I'd never heard of him!  Happy to make the discovery. 

20.  About America (the Wandering Hearts) - I didn't really have a patriotic song to acknowledge Independence Day, so here's a song by a UK band with America in the title!  Gorgeous Americana stylings, I must say!  

So that's July's playlist!  Hope everyone has a safe and fun Independence Day and I'll see you in August!