Hi, there! How are you holding up during these physical distancing efforts? Are you deadly bored yet? I’m back with more entertainment recommendations to accompany you for as long as you need. If last time we talked about movies and series on Netflix, this time please allow me to introduce you to 10 artists and podcasts I’ve been digging for a while.
Just like last time, all these names are all available for you on Spotify, as it seems to be the most popular music streaming service in the world—and, again, one I actually have full access to. Before we go on with the recommendations, though, let me just applaud you in appreciation for staying home during these hard times—thank you for that, it may not seem like a lot, but it makes a difference. Now, hope you find new names to listen to here and enjoy!
Hi, there! How are you holding up during these physical distancing efforts? Are you deadly bored yet? I’m back with more entertainment recommendations to accompany you for as long as you need. If last time we talked about movies and series on Netflix, this time please allow me to introduce you to 10 artists and podcasts I’ve been digging for a while.
Just like last time, all these names are all available for you on Spotify, as it seems to be the most popular music streaming service in the world—and, again, one I actually have full access to. Before we go on with the recommendations, though, let me just applaud you in appreciation for staying home during these hard times—thank you for that, it may not seem like a lot, but it makes a difference. Now, hope you find new names to listen to here and enjoy!
Angus & Julia Stone
Favourite Album: Snow
It was through Youtube did I first discover this dreamy duo. The first song of theirs I’ve ever listened to was Wherever You Are—which sounds very sweet, cozy and incredibly beautiful. They have this gorgeous way of making music sound so intimate, yet not at all embarrassing. Every song of theirs make me think of a faraway memory, regardless of whether or not it is mine to begin with. It was only later that I found out that Angus and Julia are siblings—I thought they were lovers.
Lately, I’ve been completely hooked by their dreamy, roadtrip-vibin’ track titled Chateau. Another title that I love is called Baudelaire—I can sense all the Lemony Snicket fans perk up—whose sound reminds me a great deal of the ocean on a late summer afternoon. Snow is also a great tune, although it doesn’t remind me of winter at all.
It was through Youtube did I first discover this dreamy duo. The first song of theirs I’ve ever listened to was Wherever You Are—which sounds very sweet, cozy and incredibly beautiful. They have this gorgeous way of making music sound so intimate, yet not at all embarrassing. Every song of theirs make me think of a faraway memory, regardless of whether or not it is mine to begin with. It was only later that I found out that Angus and Julia are siblings—I thought they were lovers.
Lately, I’ve been completely hooked by their dreamy, roadtrip-vibin’ track titled Chateau. Another title that I love is called Baudelaire—I can sense all the Lemony Snicket fans perk up—whose sound reminds me a great deal of the ocean on a late summer afternoon. Snow is also a great tune, although it doesn’t remind me of winter at all.
Kishi Bashi
Favourite Album: 151a
One of the quirkiest artists I’ve ever listened to, this is an oldie but goodie for me. It was when I first started using Spotify back in 2012 that I stumbled upon Kaoru Ishibashi’s music. Little did I know, he only started his own solo career around a year earlier. Manchester was probably the first track of his that I listened to. I was instantly captivated by the beautiful, ethereal melody of the string orchestra he uses in the background—it was a defining characteristic to his pieces.
Listening to his music feels a bit like walking through the terrains of Alice’s Wonderland, not quite knowing what to expect in the next turn. Among some of my favourite pieces of his include It All Began with a Burst and Bright White—which just so happens to be the soundtrack to The Fundamentals of Caring.
One of the quirkiest artists I’ve ever listened to, this is an oldie but goodie for me. It was when I first started using Spotify back in 2012 that I stumbled upon Kaoru Ishibashi’s music. Little did I know, he only started his own solo career around a year earlier. Manchester was probably the first track of his that I listened to. I was instantly captivated by the beautiful, ethereal melody of the string orchestra he uses in the background—it was a defining characteristic to his pieces.
Listening to his music feels a bit like walking through the terrains of Alice’s Wonderland, not quite knowing what to expect in the next turn. Among some of my favourite pieces of his include It All Began with a Burst and Bright White—which just so happens to be the soundtrack to The Fundamentals of Caring.
San Cisco
Favourite Album: San Cisco
Not entirely sure how I found this band, but I remember the first song of theirs I listened to was Awkward. This West Australian band has such a unique sound that it got stuck to my head for quite a while. It’s kind of amazing when you think this band was formed when the members were pretty much in high school. It shows int their youthful vibe and easy-to-follow tunes. Their music is so perfect for a lazy Sunday or a late summer afternoon at the beach.
Aside from that, I also loved their tracks from the same album called Beach and Fred Astaire—I think these two are also among some of the most popular one. They very recently released an EP and already I love their single track titled Reasons.
Favourite Album: San Cisco
Not entirely sure how I found this band, but I remember the first song of theirs I listened to was Awkward. This West Australian band has such a unique sound that it got stuck to my head for quite a while. It’s kind of amazing when you think this band was formed when the members were pretty much in high school. It shows int their youthful vibe and easy-to-follow tunes. Their music is so perfect for a lazy Sunday or a late summer afternoon at the beach.
Aside from that, I also loved their tracks from the same album called Beach and Fred Astaire—I think these two are also among some of the most popular one. They very recently released an EP and already I love their single track titled Reasons.
Lacrosse
Favourite Album: This New Year Will Be for You and Me
Another oldie but goodie, you might notice this Swedish band from a post years ago. This one was discovered straight on Spotify—back when its “related artists” feature was still huge for me. Stumbling onto the first track of their first album, No More Lovesongs, I was quickly enthralled by this witty, upbeat breakup song. I found it very fresh to listen to someone basically lashing out in such a happy-go-lucky tune. It became my all-time favourite of theirs—which I still listen to now and then when I’m in a good mood.
Aside from that, I’ve also fallen in love with So Sad, Sunshiner and I’m Not Afraid. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be very active anymore—they haven’t released an album since 2013 and their website is now practically a blog.
Another oldie but goodie, you might notice this Swedish band from a post years ago. This one was discovered straight on Spotify—back when its “related artists” feature was still huge for me. Stumbling onto the first track of their first album, No More Lovesongs, I was quickly enthralled by this witty, upbeat breakup song. I found it very fresh to listen to someone basically lashing out in such a happy-go-lucky tune. It became my all-time favourite of theirs—which I still listen to now and then when I’m in a good mood.
Aside from that, I’ve also fallen in love with So Sad, Sunshiner and I’m Not Afraid. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be very active anymore—they haven’t released an album since 2013 and their website is now practically a blog.
No Vacation
Favourite EP: Intermission
The first time I listened to a song from this band, it was on a video by The Michalaks—and it was their track titled August. I love that this song has track from Super Mario Brothers, giving the whole song a cute vibe. However, somehow I found the rest of their music and ended up loving it. Their songs remind me of late nights in the city or a rainy afternoon at home. Their music is very calming with really enjoyable beats to lightly dance to.
I really adore their track titled Yam Yam—it’s so perfect for burning the midnight oil or working sessions—and Mind Fields—this makes me think of a German city in a somewhat dreary autumn day. Aside from those three, I was also particularly taken by their tunes called Intermission and Sad Valentine.
The first time I listened to a song from this band, it was on a video by The Michalaks—and it was their track titled August. I love that this song has track from Super Mario Brothers, giving the whole song a cute vibe. However, somehow I found the rest of their music and ended up loving it. Their songs remind me of late nights in the city or a rainy afternoon at home. Their music is very calming with really enjoyable beats to lightly dance to.
I really adore their track titled Yam Yam—it’s so perfect for burning the midnight oil or working sessions—and Mind Fields—this makes me think of a German city in a somewhat dreary autumn day. Aside from those three, I was also particularly taken by their tunes called Intermission and Sad Valentine.
The Ground Up Show
Matt D’Avella is one of my favourite content creators on Youtube. Anyone who’s seen his videos could see that his work belongs to an entirely different league from most of creators on this platform. He inspires me with his dedication towards minimalism as well as his open mind to try anything that could potentially improve his life quality. His storytelling ability is impeccable and he’s constantly learning new things everyday.
This podcast was no different—except this time he asks us to join him in learning about inspiring, life-improving topics directly from the experts. He interviews numerous figures who practice what I would call thoughtful living—authors, CEOs, influencers, coaches, you name it! Unfortunately, he hasn’t updated this podcast since last June, but there’s still plenty of episodes to choose from.
The Ground Up Show
Matt D’Avella is one of my favourite content creators on Youtube. Anyone who’s seen his videos could see that his work belongs to an entirely different league from most of creators on this platform. He inspires me with his dedication towards minimalism as well as his open mind to try anything that could potentially improve his life quality. His storytelling ability is impeccable and he’s constantly learning new things everyday.
This podcast was no different—except this time he asks us to join him in learning about inspiring, life-improving topics directly from the experts. He interviews numerous figures who practice what I would call thoughtful living—authors, CEOs, influencers, coaches, you name it! Unfortunately, he hasn’t updated this podcast since last June, but there’s still plenty of episodes to choose from.
Halbe Katoffl
As usual, with me, there’s got to be that non-English one on the list—and this is it. From the title, you might’ve been able to guess—this one’s German. I discovered this one around 2 years ago and got instantly, completely hooked. The concept is rather unique, as far as I know, in that this podcast welcomes guests who are “half potatoes”—meaning they may be a mix of German and another nationality or a descendant of another nationality although born and/or raised in Germany.
Frank Joung, the host, goes down the list to check the stereotypes associated with each “country of origin” and dig deep into their personal experiences living as a “half potato” in this country. Incredibly warm and absolutely relatable, this podcast gives me a wider view of the world—my favourite episode, of course, is the one with Iskandar Widjaja from Indonesia.
As usual, with me, there’s got to be that non-English one on the list—and this is it. From the title, you might’ve been able to guess—this one’s German. I discovered this one around 2 years ago and got instantly, completely hooked. The concept is rather unique, as far as I know, in that this podcast welcomes guests who are “half potatoes”—meaning they may be a mix of German and another nationality or a descendant of another nationality although born and/or raised in Germany.
Frank Joung, the host, goes down the list to check the stereotypes associated with each “country of origin” and dig deep into their personal experiences living as a “half potato” in this country. Incredibly warm and absolutely relatable, this podcast gives me a wider view of the world—my favourite episode, of course, is the one with Iskandar Widjaja from Indonesia.
It was a few months ago when I found this podcast, on a venture to find new titles to listen to. For as long as I could remember, I’ve been a rather silent admirer of science. I love how magical, yet realistic science is and keep wanting to learn it—although not formally.
This podcast is unique in a the way that it busts myths surrounding various scientific subjects. I really love the way the host reveals each fact to us and every interview they do seem to be quite relaxed and chilled, making the whole process feel less formal and tense somehow.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, they have started an (ongoing) series on the Corona Virus and it has cleared some things up for me. Aside from that, my favourite episode is the one about The G-Spot—it’ll blow your mind.
It was a few months ago when I found this podcast, on a venture to find new titles to listen to. For as long as I could remember, I’ve been a rather silent admirer of science. I love how magical, yet realistic science is and keep wanting to learn it—although not formally.
This podcast is unique in a the way that it busts myths surrounding various scientific subjects. I really love the way the host reveals each fact to us and every interview they do seem to be quite relaxed and chilled, making the whole process feel less formal and tense somehow.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, they have started an (ongoing) series on the Corona Virus and it has cleared some things up for me. Aside from that, my favourite episode is the one about The G-Spot—it’ll blow your mind.
The Children's Book Podcast
To be perfectly honest, I’ve never found a podcast this confusing. You see, I first found this podcast—or at least I think I did—with the title All the Wonders. Somewhere along the way, however, they decided to change the name, but I couldn’t remember what it was.
Fast forward a few years, the subscribed podcast on my iTunes—yes, I listened to it on iTunes before—changed to this title. However, when I tried listening to the earlier episodes, none of them started out as I remembered them, but were instead called Let’s Get Busy. Now I’m confused where that old podcast I enjoyed was. Nevertheless, I’d still recommend this podcast, unraveling the industry of children’s literature through interviews with authors, illustrators, art directors and everyone involved—including my favourite, Carson Ellis.
To be perfectly honest, I’ve never found a podcast this confusing. You see, I first found this podcast—or at least I think I did—with the title All the Wonders. Somewhere along the way, however, they decided to change the name, but I couldn’t remember what it was.
Fast forward a few years, the subscribed podcast on my iTunes—yes, I listened to it on iTunes before—changed to this title. However, when I tried listening to the earlier episodes, none of them started out as I remembered them, but were instead called Let’s Get Busy. Now I’m confused where that old podcast I enjoyed was. Nevertheless, I’d still recommend this podcast, unraveling the industry of children’s literature through interviews with authors, illustrators, art directors and everyone involved—including my favourite, Carson Ellis.
Modern Love
This one was a recent discovery for me—and I believe they recently uploaded the episodes on Spotify too, because even the ones from 2017 had been edited to mention the COVID-19 situation. I’ve always loved the anecdotal contents New York Times post on their online platforms—you might remember the one I loved on Youtube before. This one is no different.
Modern Love is a series of heartfelt recordings of various celebrities reading essays on love, ending with some updated input from the essay writers and the reason why the readers chose said essay. The love being portrayed here range from the romantic kind, paternal, sisterly/brotherly—even self-love. It is such a calming piece to listen to when I need to just slow down and focus—my favourite episode is titled Take My Son to Jail.
This one was a recent discovery for me—and I believe they recently uploaded the episodes on Spotify too, because even the ones from 2017 had been edited to mention the COVID-19 situation. I’ve always loved the anecdotal contents New York Times post on their online platforms—you might remember the one I loved on Youtube before. This one is no different.
Modern Love is a series of heartfelt recordings of various celebrities reading essays on love, ending with some updated input from the essay writers and the reason why the readers chose said essay. The love being portrayed here range from the romantic kind, paternal, sisterly/brotherly—even self-love. It is such a calming piece to listen to when I need to just slow down and focus—my favourite episode is titled Take My Son to Jail.
Share along your favourite artist and/or podcast to listen to!
