Brant's April 2020 Playlist

Brunch ain't what it used to be, but at least you can turn the music up when the conversation lags.

Spring is typically a time when I retreat due to the pollen, but this coronavirus has forced me to take it to an all-new level!  I have to admit, I'm getting a little stir crazy.  Luckily there has been plenty of good music to delve into.  This month's list tends towards the chill side, but since all the clubs are closed anyway - perhaps that's for the best.  So pour yourself a refreshing drink, get comfortable, and press 'play'.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.


1.  Boys on Canvas (Diane Birch) - Prince-approved pianist is back to get us started with some jazzy vibes.  Can't wait for her new album!

2.  No No (Scott Hirsch) - Founding member of Hiss Golden Messenger goes solo, and is serving groovy psychedelic folk to go with your social distancing.

3.  Baby Powder (Jenevieve) - West Coast artist cites Aaliyah as an influence, and I can hear it in this slinky R&B groove.

4.  Break My Heart (Dua Lipa) - I guess I need to just save space for a Dua Lipa song in every playlist going forward!  Her new album "Future Nostalgia" is 🔥🔥🔥

5.  Blinding Lights (the Weeknd) - I saw him perform this on SNL and loved the early 80s synths!

6.  Amy, Run for the Hills (courtship.) - Sunny dream-pop from Indie band.

7.  I Love You's (Hailee Steinfeld) - Academy Award nominated actress and singer gives us a reboot of The Lover Speaks' classic!

8.  Sadness Is a Shade of Blue (Låpsley) - Moody electronica from British artist.

9.  Right Down the Line (Sam Evian) - This is one of those songs I've had in the cue for several playlists over the months, and it always got bumped because it didn't quite fit in whatever mix I was compiling.  It's a pretty straightforward reading of Gerry Rafferty's 1978 hit, but the mellow tone fits in perfectly with April's list!

10.  Wildflower (5 Seconds of Summer) - I do love me some boy bands, so here's this month's selection!

11.  Spotlight (Oracle Sisters) - Okay, I had these guys pegged as a jam band from Austin, Texas or something.  What a shock to learn they are French!  This tune could go on any Grateful Dead-inspired playlist.

12.  Can't Do Much (Waxahatchee) - Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield is back and paying homage to her Southern country roots, and the results are as tasty as Grandma's corn fritters!

13.  Where You Belong (Little Dragon) - Another welcome return!  I'll pretty much follow Yukimi Nagano anywhere, but I especially love when she dives into 90s R&B.

14.  Moon Rider (Jai Wolf feat. Wrabel) - I sent my friend Bruce a request for music to check out while I'm cooped up at home, and he didn't disappoint.  He pointed me towards Jai Wolf, and this new song is light years away from the trippy "Indian Summer", but with Wrabel's soaring vocals and smooth keyboards it's impossible not to be swept away!

15.  Say So (Doja Cat) - We can't currently pile into a convertible with this song cranked up on the car stereo, but once the stay-at-home orders are lifted...

16.  Shy (Jank Setup) - Easy, breezy jazz from New Orleans band

17.  F#ck with Me (Pokey LaFarge) - How have I not heard of Pokey before now?!?  I'm loving his retro-swamp blues!  This is a rabbit hole I'll happily go down.  Expect more Pokey on future playlists.

18.  The Stranger (Ingrid Andress) - Contemporary country from rising star.

19.  Closer to You (Adam Lambert) - Playing with Queen gave him an outlet for his over-the-top theatrical side, but personally I think Adam Lambert really shines on an Elton John-style ballad like this.

So that's April's list!  Who knows where we'll be in May, but if I'm here I'll do my darnedest to have another playlist for ya.  Until then - stay safe and healthy!

Brant's March 2020 Playlist

The groundhog promised an early Spring, so turn those tummies off (the commercials are all political ads anyway)
 and enjoy some sunshine!  

Welp, the people have spoken and Trump is impeached but not removed, and the Groundhog promises an early Spring.  All I can promise is some new music.  For some reason this month has a lot of Jessies/Jessys!  I'm not sure how that happened but I am not complaining.  They are all fantastic (hope you agree!). To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  10,000 Hours (Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber) - The Biebs goes country!  Not sure if that explains the 'stache he was wearing for his SNL appearance, but I'm digging this song!

2.  Far Away (Jessie Reyez) - Another delicious ballad, this time from Canadian singer/songwriter Jessie Reyes (our first Jessie!).

3.  Vocal Honey (Finley Quaye) - Scottish singer serves up some sunny 70s vibes.

4.  Van Horn (Saint Motel) - We've had them on previous playlists, so this is a welcome return for Indie Pop band Saint Motel.

5.  Automatic Driver (La Roux) - La Roux is also a returning favorite, with the mid-tempo electronic grooves that made me love her all those years ago.

6.  I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby (Summer Walker) - I found this buried on the Birds of Prey soundtrack, and immediately loved this female-led Barry White cover!

7.  Take It (Donnie and Joe Emerson feat. Eldon) - So the story with these guys is that their father encouraged them to make their own music, even building a recording studio for them in the late 1970s.  Turns out, they were pretty good.  Not much happened for the Emersons until 2008, when a record collector found their album at an antique store and began telling people about it. Eventually, a record label re-released their stuff, and they've even had contemporary artists cover their songs!  This one's not a bad song - it sounds like an Indie Country record!  It just goes to show that you never know when fame will come knocking at your door.

8.  Late for the Sky (Jackson Browne) - Last night I saw Lucy Kaplansky at a show, and when she covered this beautiful tune my friend and I were instantly obsessed!  I love Jackson Browne but had never paid attention to this particular song.  I'm so glad to have it on my radar now.

9.  Finally/Beautiful Stranger (Halsey) - Another great song about young love, this time from American singer/songwriter Halsey.

10.  In the Wild (Lola Lennox) - Annie Lennox's daughter is off to a strong start with this powerful anthem.  I can't wait to see what she does next!

11.  A Moment /Helado Negro Remix/ (Jerry Paper) - Quirky electronic beats from American musician.

12.  Everything (Sam Sparro) - Sam is back with some 90s style New Jack Swing and I am here for it!

13.  Meet Me on the Roof (Green Day) - Another welcome comeback by American rock band.

14.  Supply and Demand (Wilder Woods) - Former football player "Bear" Rinehart begins a new solo project, and seems to have been influenced by early 1970s soul bands like The Main Ingredient!

15.  Ode to Artifice (Samia) - Self-published singer/songwriter keeps the happy vibes going.

16.  Clap Your Hands (Jessy Wilson) - Brooklyn artist (and our 2nd Jessy!) delivers some soulful and muscular rock, with an assist from the Black Keys' Patrick Carney.

17.  I'll Take Care of You (Gil-Scott Heron and Makaya McCraven) - Jazz drummer refurbishes/remixes one of the greats!

18.  Spotlight (Jessie Ware) - Our 3rd Jessie takes us from the rock stage of Jessy Wilson to the dance floor!  I'm loving the disco flavahs, complete with a Donna Summer-style slow jam intro!

19.  Physical (Dua Lipa) - We had Dua Lipa on January's playlist, and this is the second single from her upcoming album "Future Nostalgia".

20.  Nasty (the Jack Moves) - Jersey band closes us out with this fun and funky jam!

So that's March's playlist!  Hope everyone has a safe and happy month, and I'll see you in April!