Sam Murray
Creatively – Katy Forkings
19 September 2017
As part of our role as curators we get a variety of submissions from people wanting their tracks on our playlists and it takes something special to pique my interest for the come down. I was excited to hear this track come through from Katy Forkings, a song about the creative process, which frankly is written enough about.
Black & Blue – Samantha Whates
5 September 2017
I first came across Samantha Whates when she performed as a backup singer for Jess Bryant at the union chapel when I played there many moons go. I was intrigued by her voice and decided to check out her own material and this track ‘Black & Blue’ stood out for me with its lush guitar part, a bit of glockenspiel and strings, you know I love those strings.
The Fear – The Shins
29 August 2017
My latest post-gig come down happened at a festival when my band finished playing I ran over to the main stage at Greenman to catch the last part of the set by The Shins. James Mercer introduced the song and suddenly I was transported to such a calming place with such an incredible string line and gorgeous melodies built up around it…
All Written Out in Numbers – This Is The Kit
21 August 2017
This is the Kit are one of the perfect come down projects to wrap your headphone around. The sounds also feel like the understand how to get you to a state of calm, with lyrical zen and sonic washes.
Truth – Kamasi Washington
15 August 2017
Kamasi Washington is one of the hottest artists in jazz right now, Part of the same LA jazz scene as Thundercat, Kamasi Washington has gained immense credibility in his work with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill and Snoop Dogg but it is his solo work that really shines on.
Catarina – Vesevo
7 August 2017
This song comes directly from road testing, on a drive back from playing at kendal calling our bass player turn off the cd player to see what was on the radio and tuned into BBC radio 3 for their WOMAD coverage an as soon as we heard this tune we were transfixed seeing what wasn’t there on the unfurling road debating furiously where the music came from.
A Hundred Dreams from Now – Ray Bryant
28 July 2017
This playlist was lacking the right amount of jazz and this track does more than make up the difference it inspires, it beguiles and it understands the journey home. There is something in the way Ray Bryant plays that says I feel you and this track is his ‘let me play you something that might help’ moment as almost on command he gets you tonight in that car and after a generous tip is going to pull out one of his best numbers.
Fado do Perdão – Cuca Roseta
28 July 2017
Fado is the music of fate, singing songs of beautiful agony, of unrequited love, or tragic fate of solace in anguish and turmoil. These songs from Portugal are about skillful portuguese guitar playing and vulnerable fragile vocals that really speak to the core of the soul. What better kind of music is there to come down after a night out? This one is for the nights out that didn’t work quite as planned, things happened you kind of want to regret but also want to do deal with, and Fado is the music there for you in this journey.
Benjamin Brown – Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell
28 July 2017
I can’t remember exactly where I first saw Johnny & Lucy, it was either supporting Bellowhead in Bradford or at Musicport festival or maybe both? But they were either the support act that stole the show or the band of the festival, I really should try and clear up that memory. This is the best in British folk, a wonderful narrative, two unique voices and guitar and a dose of good feeling.
Blonde On Blonde – Nada Surf
28 July 2017
I do have a story as how I came to this track. I was staying in Nuremberg for a few days between events in Strasbourg and Prague and took the time to lock myself away in an airbnb and study for my PhD. I’ll admit I went on tinder and ended up meeting this awesome woman called Niculina from Romania who’d move to Nuremberg. After hanging out I asked her favourite song and she recommended this one. For me this song is about serendipity that in that trip I could be introduced to music and broaden my sonic horizons.
Nie Gotujemy – The Dumplings
28 July 2017
You might not have heard of The Dumplings but they are the hottest thing in Polish Music right now, with their quirky, comfortable indie that is beyond pleasant and beyond delight to a space where you can let go into the shadows but always find your footing. Nie Gotujemy is quite possibly their most famous song released as a lead single for their album Sea You Later and album where you literally float abound on sound saves.
We Are Lightning – Amongster
28 July 2017
This song perhaps is a personal choice, Amongster was an artist I took a chance on seeing, I was in Brussels on a training trip and I wanted to try go and see him perform after hearing tracks. My friend and I waiting outside to try get a scalp ticket and I bought one off a teacher who’d come to watch the show selling at face value, my friend went inside talked to the box office and was told it was sold out but then someone came in and left the extra ticket at the desk so my mate got in free.