Brant's June 2024 Playlist

Big hands, I know you're the one! 

In case you were wondering - this is my first playlist since April.  Mom passed away mid-April and frankly I didn't have it in me to pull together a playlist for May.  To make up for it, this month we've got a super-sized list (25 songs!!!) - and it's early so you can have it for the holiday weekend.  There's some Pride-ready dance tunes, folk-rock, and other stuff to enjoy.  It's good to be back.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Lighter (Galantis feat. 5 Seconds of Summer) - Lemme just say, after an extended period of intense grief - nothing sounded better than something light and fun!

2.  Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl (Chappell Roan) - IMHO, Roan is the New Hope for pop music!  I can't get enough of her positivity and youthful exuberance!  Viva Chappell!

3.  Famous (Parcels) - From Season 3 of "Hacks", but it was Gary who called this to my attention!  Great retro/disco vibes that would make Jamiroquai and Patrick Juvet proud!  

4.  Fkn Around (Phony PPL feat Megan Thee Stallion) - More disco vibes with a tasty assist from current It Girl of rap music.  

5.  Arizona (Carter Vail) - Folksy alt-rock from Nashville artist/producer.

6.  Glass and Gold (Clover County) - If this singer/songwriter (real name = A.G. Schiano) is any indication, there's still some great music coming out of Athens, GA.  She's touring now, so here's hoping she stops through Charlotte!

7.  My Love Is Like a Waterfall (Peacemode) - Another fantabulous folk-rocker I've found - this time hailing from the UK and now in Southern California!

8.  Shake Shake (Jon Muq) - Soothing island vibes from Austin, TX resident/Ugandan native. 

9.  French Exit (Dua Lipa) - TBH I was a tad underwhelmed with Dua Lipa's latest offering, but I did enjoy this particular song from the new album.    

10.  Chemical Sunset (Orville Peck and Allison Russell) - I would never have put these two together, but it absolutely works in this nihilistic duet.  

11.  After the Revolution (Carsie Blanton) - We had her on April's playlist, and I'm happy to put another one of her songs into rotation!  This kinda gives me Lucinda Williams & Juliana Hatfield vibes.  

12.  Why Won't You Pick Up the Phone? (Wes Parker) - Enjoyable acoustic number from Massachusetts artist.

13.  It's a Happening World (Lesley Gore) - I recently acquired Lesley's unreleased album "Magic Colors" from 1969.  This is the opening song, and it's a delight.  I can't believe her label never released the album.  Anyway, it's not on Spotify, but you can listen to it HERE.  

14.  Holster (the Strumbellas) - I had them on my March 2016 playlist, but regrettably this Canadian band slipped off my radar.  What a treat to rediscover them!  Reverb-heavy, singalong chorus perfect for driving with the windows down on a warm summer evening.  

15.  You Spin Me Round (Nouvelle Vague feat. Alonya) - Another band I haven't heard in a while!  This time they are serving a burlesque version of Dead or Alive's 1985 classic, and I am here for it!  Yaaaaas, queen! 

16.  Trashy State of Mind (Kahone Concept) - Mysterious Pittsburgh artist sounds like he'd be a blast at a party!  

17.  Big Time Nothing (St. Vincent) - Yaaaaaay!  We have a new St. Vincent album!  And what a funky lil' number this song is!  Prince would approve.

18.  Every Emotion /John J-C Carr Extended Remix/ (Bright Light Bright Light feat. Ultra Naté) - I feel like if you went to a laboratory and had them concoct a song for Pride 2024, it wouldn't be any better than what we have here!  Fun, danceable beat?  check.  Cameo vocals from a dance music legend?  check.  Extended mix?  check.  Enjoy!  And Happy Pride! 

19.  Bodyguard (Beyoncé) - That's correct.  We're not done with Cowboy Carter just yet!

20.  Cozy (Jeremy Zucker, Lauv, and Alexander 23) - Trio of young artists team up for this sweet prom-ready tune!

21.  Trouble (Laufey) - She teamed up with beabadoobee on November's playlist for a fun bossa nova.  Here she continues to channel old-school jazz vibes with this gorgeous ballad.  

22.  What My Heart Is For (Quiet Houses) - Glittery dream pop from Indie UK duo.

23.  It's All Good (Rachel West & Izzy Harlow) - Fun, summery pop song with some fantastic old-school samples!  

24.  Borrowed Time (Cosmo's Midnight feat. Forest Claudette) - Poolside loungy beats from Australian brothers.

25.  The One Who Knows (Dar Williams) - I just saw Dar a few weeks ago.  She performed this song, and when she explained it was about parents and children I could barely keep it together.  RIP Mom, and thanks Dar for this beautiful song.  

So that's June's playlist.  Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend, and I'll see you in July! 

Brant's April 2024 Playlist

Cowboy Carter is already taken as a stage name.  Is Branson Brant available?

April has arrived - along with a new Beyoncé album, a ton of pollen, and the worst human being in the world selling "God Bless the USA" Bibles!  You really couldn't make this stuff up if you tried (at least that last part).  But anyway, a new playlist is ready.  I found myself leaning towards rock and 1980s vibes this time around, along with some overlooked gems from the past.  Hope you enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Something's Gonna Go Our Way (the 502s) - Some upbeat folk-rock from this Florida band to get us going!

2.  Steady Going Nowhere (Ben Rogers) - This is from "Loudermilk"!  One of those classic American rock tunes that never goes out of style.  

3.  Watching My Friends Fall in Love (Brynn Cartelli) - Another TV offering, although this time it's from a show I never watch ("the Voice").  Anyway, I dig this alt rock/pop tune!  

4.  The Pain (Another Sky) - This London band describes themselves as "progressive rock", which I didn't even know was still a thing!  Having said that, the musicianship is solid and I love as the tension builds through the course of the song.  

5.  Electric Dreams (Velvet Trip) - Groovy dream pop that's perfect for warm Spring days and driving around with the windows open. 

6.  Ya Ya (Beyoncé) - Gotta say, I like Cowboy Carter better than Renaissance!  Beyoncé dives into everything country on her new album.  I especially fell in love with this tune, which sounds like she's channeling Tina Turner!  From Houston to Nutbush, Bey! 

7.  Dirty Dreams (Menna) - This funky lil' tune sounds like it could've come out of Prince's Paisley Park studio (although Menna is from Nashville).  Can't wait to hear more from her.  

8.  Brainwashed (Waterparks) - I had never heard of Waterparks until I went to a comedy show last month and saw this YUUUUUGE line to see a concert.  It was for Waterparks.  I went home and immediately started listening to their stuff - very youthful and catchy.  I see why they have a following!  Not to mention they're from Houston - I wonder if they know Beyoncé?

9.  Ceilings (Sub-Radio) - This is a fun tune I stumbled across.  I completely love the 1980s vibes.  

10.  All Night (Visila) - I would've sworn this was Dua Lipa when I heard it.  I haven't been able to find out much about Visila, but I'll be paying attention from now on!

11. Love On (Selena Gomez) - Selena takes a break from all the murders in her building to resume her singing career!  

12.  Holdup (Ethan Tasch & Claud) - Yes to everything Claud!  And I'm digging this Indie folk artist Ethan Tasch too!

13.  My Good Friends (Carsie Blanton) - Some rootsy Americana from New Jersey-based artist. 

14.  Bad Case of the Blues (Linda Martell) - So, I had never heard this lady's story until she was featured on Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album!  What a tragedy that racism cut her country music career short.  Let's hope she gets her well-deserved flowers now! 

15.  Sunday Kind of Love (Kenny Rankin) - Another criminally underrated artist!  I first heard him on a compilation CD of 70s singer/songwriters, and decided to go down the Rankin Rabbit Hole.  I'm so glad I did!  Whether it was his own material or (like this tune) a cover, he made them his own with his crystal clear voice and quirky interpretations.  No wonder Johnny Carson and Paul McCartney counted themselves as fans! It's not on Spotify, but you can listen to it here.

16.  Better Side (Elise LeGrow) - Canadian artist get us back on the dance floor with some upbeat soul!

17.  Suzie Chapstick (Green Day) - The latest from Billie Joe Armstrong and the gang!

18.  If the World Was Ending (Let Loose) - Another 1980s style song, this time in ballad mode! 

19.  Make Me Lose Control (Eric Carmen) - How sad to see that Eric Carmen died last month. From his early work with the Raspberries ("Go All the Way") to penning some of Shaun Cassidy's biggest hits ("That's Rock and Roll", "Hey Deanie") and right on through the 80s ("Hungry Eyes" and this tune), it seems like his songs were always playing in my formative years, and are some of the first ones I reach for when compiling a retro playlist today. What a legacy to leave behind! RIP So that's April! Hope to see ya next month!

Brant's March 2024 Playlist

That ghost in the machine looks eerily familiar... 

I forgot this was a Leap Year, so this playlist is actually early.  February was a busy month, but I still had time to seek out some new music.  It feels like this skews a tad towards mid-tempo EDM and British artists, and as Mother Nature awakens after winter perhaps that's just what is needed - mellow but happy vibes.  Anyway, here 'tis!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.    

1.  What's the Time Where You Are? (Troye Sivan) - Frequent Brantworld listee and Grammy nominee kicks us off with this danceably wistful ditty! 

2.  Lucky (Taura Lamb) - English up-and-comer keeps the dance-pop going, but is feeling considerably more optimistic.  

3.  Texas Hold 'em (Beyoncé) - I would be remiss if I didn't drop Beyonce's country song on here somewhere!  But I genuinely like it, and was thrilled to see Carolina girl (and Brantworld listee!) Rhiannon Giddens featured on banjo!  

4.  Never Been Better (Ben Abraham feat. Corook) - Easygoing pop from Australian singer/songwriter who has written for artists such as Kesha and the Chicks.

5.  Push It Down (L Devine) - English songstress moves us from pop into Indie rock territory!  

6.  Sweet Feelings (Almost Monday) - Another band I've come to love and frequently featured here.  

7.  When You Want Me /Noah's Version/ (Speelburg) - Here's a new artist (to me!).  Speelburg, aka Noah Sacré, describes his sound as 'weird pop' and lists his biggest fan as none other than John Lithgow (which is good enough for me!).  Here, he re-boots one of his earlier songs as a psychedelic excursion.  

8.  Lights Out (Nubiyan Twist & Nile Rodgers) - Nile Rodgers lends his considerable guitar skills to this British jazz offering. 

9.  Terminal Woes (Salt Cathedral) - Colombian duo showcases their multicultural approach to music in this gorgeous electronic anthem. 

10.  Hell of a Night (LA Women) - New Zealand trio is ready for a raucous evening!  If this were 2010, I could almost see the world's coolest hamsters jamming to this in their Kia Soul!  

11.  Sepricon (Brittany Davis) - Funky R&B from Seattle-based blind, non-binary, soul survivor. 

12.  I'm in Love (Jelani Aryeh) - Engaging Indie rock from West Coast Filipino/African-American artist. 

13.  Run Back to You (LAY & Lauv) - Chinese rapper Lay Zhang teams up with American singer for this tasty pop offering. 

14.  Crazy Love (BJ the Chicago Kid feat. Andra Day) - Two R&B greats join forces for this instant classic.  

15.  Pink Dress (Humble the Great) - London UK artist lists Anderson .Paak as an influence, and I can totally hear it in this effortless soul ditty.  

16.  Neon Pill (Cage the Elephant) - It's been a while since I've had them on a playlist, but what a welcome return!  

17.  Lil' Tune (Gus Dapperton & Electric Guest) - I'm totally digging the retro-FM radio vibes from this lil' tune!  Minus the "F" bombs, natch... 

18.  I Wanted Summer with You (Couch) - Sunny jazz to get us ready for the warmer weather (predicted to come early, according to the prophet!) 

19.  The Nickel Song (Melanie) - Some songs are just in our DNA.  I've had this song in my collection since it came out in 1971 (Mom bought it for me!) and it's never far away.  I can't count how many times I've played it - college mixtapes, dental school study music, etc etc.  Her giggling towards the end as her "la dee das" go off the rails is forever endearing!  Melanie passed away last month, but I will always hold her and her music close to my heart.  RIP.  

20.  Catfish John (Sam Grisman Project) - Recommended by one of my fraternity brothers.  I love listening to what they've been listening to, and with a reunion scheduled for April I expect to have multiple opportunities!  This is a great cover of a classic Americana song.  

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

Brant's February 2024 Playlist

"Hey,  AI - show me Valentine's Day at Club Discobrant!" 

We're one month into 2024 and pulling together this month's playlist snuck up on me!  I cobbled something together so see what you think.  As always, to listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Call Me Wild (Corey Wong feat. dodie) - I thought this funky R&B jam, that is giving me Tom Tom Club energy, would be a nice way to start us off.  

2.   Standing Next to You (Jung Kook) - Former BTS dude is serving disco-adjacent K-pop! 

3.  yes, and? (Ariana Grande) - TBH, I thought Ariana's comeback song might pack more of a wollop, but this'll do for now.  Curious to hear the rest of the new album.  

4.  Coffee (j.flowers.mp3 feat Ralph Taylor) - Jazzy R&B from London-based artist.  

5.  Running (Lois) - Easygoing Indie pop perfect for sipping coffee in the early Spring chill. 

6.  The Place That Makes Me Happy (the Moss) - We had them exactly one year ago on a February playlist, and they're back with more feel-good alt rock!  

7.  Good Vibrations (Nectar Woode) - Classic soul from Ghanian/English singer-songwriter.  

8.  Why Try to Change Me Now (Fiona Apple) - I heard this on a rerun of "House" recently and immediately had to track it down!  Is there nothing that Fiona can't sing???

9.  Arms (San Fermin) - I thought this was the National when I first heard it, which is absolutely a compliment!  

10.  This Time /live/ (Neal Francis) - Note to self: I need to catch Neal Francis when he comes through NC.  This live number is getting me excited for summer and concert season!  

11.  Harry Styles (DACEY) - Funky R&B from Canadian artist

12.  Fader (Róisín Murphy) - Oh, Róisín!  I already loved you, and then you threw in the Sharon Jones sample!  As they used to say on Wayne's World, "We're not worthy!!!"

13.  Hush (Cocktail Slippers) - Every now and again I like to go back and see what bands I used to play all the time are up to.  What a treat to find Cocktail Slippers covering one of my fave 1960s songs! 

14.  Come Close (Jake Scott) - One of those starry-eyed love songs that would be perfect for your favorite rom-com!  

15.  Igual Que Un Ángel (Kali Uchis feat. Peso Pluma) - My Spanish is WAAAAAY rusty, but delicious tunes like this Kali Uchis duet make me wanna brush up! 

16.  Double Yellow (Ghostryder feat. boy jones) - Sunny West Coast pop to get your toes tappin'!

17.  Waterfall (Zinadelphia) - Philly artist is serving confidence with a heapin' helpin' of soul.  

18.  You're Just a Boy and I'm Kinda the Man (Maisie Peters) - British lass tells it like it is with no apologies.  Never has disappointment sounded like so much fun!  

19.  Hell N Back (Bakar feat. Summer Walker) - Summer Walker lends her appealing vocals to this slightly retro-sounding hit song from last year. 

20.  Train from Kansas City (the Shangri-Las) - What a drag to see that Mary Weiss (lead singer of the Shangri-Las) had passed in January.  It was hard to choose just one song to put on this month's playlist, but I finally landed on this lesser-known ballad that is a personal fave of mine.  RIP Mary.

So that's February!  Hope everyone has a great month.  Stay warm and I'll see ya next month!