One of the hardest things about grief is how you incorporate it into your daily, “normal” life. We all know the visceral immediacy of a tragic event - a death, a breakup a loss etc - grief is expected and overwhelming and allowed - but then - when everything dies down and attention has turned away, what then?
Readers and listeners of this playlist are well aware that there is no set time limit for grief to dissipate - it really is different for everyone - but one thing is the same - we do have to get on with our lives. This is often the hardest part of the entire process - it just seems wrong to go to work or make a meal or even as Erica Lee Martin sings - eat a piece of cheese - when the other is no longer with us.
There’s just such a funky vibe to this track - a vintage soaring vocal - reminiscent of a 40’s songstress accompanied by simple ukulele with a disturbing rhythm section - but disturbing in a really good way. Yet it’s the lyric that stands out and grabs you - here’s what Erica had to say when she submitted the track:
“This song is a quirky alternative to a sad love song. In it, I talk about every day mundane activities (such as eating cheese or having a drink) and how I no longer have a person to share these things with. It’s about being in your most familiar places, but lacking that which made them so familiar. It’s about every day life continuing when someone or something is gone, and re-learning how to rely on yourself.”
You can learn more about Erica Lee Martin here:
About the Curator - Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the dark forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top. They would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
After my dad died I was very sad - I couldn't play for a while and when I did, the music that came out reflected my grieving state. I wrote an album of solo piano music called Music to Grieve to - from which the idea of the Music to community originated.
If you'd like to know more you should read Nicole's fabulous article on why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
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Strange Beauty – First Aid Kit
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It’s still September. We’re still talking about Suicide. We’re doing this because the experts tell us that the more we talk about it – the more we bring it into the open – the less likely it is that people will go through with it. And yet – people still do…
Open Letter – Mr. Phelps
11 September 2022
Yep – if you didn’t know – September is Suicide Awareness Month – it’s also National Suicide Prevention Month and in fact right now – between the 8th and the 14th – it’s actually National Suicide Prevention Week. If you are in any doubt as to the impact suicide has on society – spend a minute here: Suicide Statistics – the rate inches up every year – and as a middle aged white male – well – I’m slap bang in the highest risk group…
Andrew McCluskey
The first visual memory I have is that of the white upright piano in Singapore, Hell and the Dark Forces lived at the bottom, Heaven and the Angels at the top, they would play battles through my fingers and I was hooked.
As a psychology graduate I studied how sound affects human performance.
As a musician I compose instrumental music that stimulates your brain but doesn't mess with your language centers, leaving you free to be creative and brilliant without distraction.
As a curator I research how music can improve your life and create flow - I can tell you what music to listen to when studying for a test and why listening to sad music can make you feel better.
As a creator / contributor at musicto I’m part of a global creator community that collaborates through music. You can learn more about our community here.