A Special Playlist By Of the Vine
"What Made Us"
Non-other than Of the Vine guitarist Samuel Laubscher has compiled a playlist for my blog. It is a great honour for me to present it to you today.
A few weeks ago I did an interview with Sam. Our conversation and my questions about his musical roots and his favourite bands inspired him to create a list of songs that mean a lot to him.
These artists are highly appreciated by him and Of the Vine. Their art accompanies them every day. Even when he is writing new songs.
From now on the stage is Sam's. Here are 13 songs from his record shelf. Exclusively for you guys.
The Twilight Sad - "Reflection Of The Television" from the album "Forget The Night Ahead"
The Twilight Sad has been probably one of my longest-running favourite artists. I saw them open for MONO back in 2010 and they absolutely blew me away. Terrifyingly loud guitars with Cosmic Music style drumming. I also love James' vocals - usually, artists try to hide their accent but he leans into the thick Scottish burr.
Explosions In The Sky - "The Moon Is Down" from the album "Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever"
This album is what first introduced me to lyric-less rock. This was way back in 2004 and I couldn't believe how moved I was by music without words. I was shocked by how I could feel more deeply my emotions than with music containing vocals. I always wonder if this is because it allows us to be using our own stories as opposed to being told what to feel. Very introspective. This album (also "The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place") changed how I heard music.
I knew I wanted to make "that". This song was probably my most listened to at the time; the narrative progression is incredible. They make it sound so simple but it is structured quite complexly, leaving parts behind with no perceivable transitions, calling back with motifs, it blew my mind and still does. If it weren't for this album I may not have gotten into the type of music we play, or maybe even still play music in general.
Stars Of The Lid - "Don't Bother They're Here" from the album "And Their Refinement Of The Decline"
I fell on board the Stars Of The Lid train a bit late but am I ever so glad I found them. They were another band that changed my entire outlook on music. It's a weird surreal story but I was recommended them by Carlos Torrez (Ex-Explosions In The Sky, he was so supportive of my music back when I handed him our first demos in 2006) when I was still in my late teens and I didn't quite understand the ambient genre of music at the time, but when I revisited in my twenties it snowballed another music taste shift in me.
I started seeking any artists who were doing the same with similar approaches and just absorbing all the ambient music I could find. This even led me to start the blog-turned-label Merigold Independent. So, I can definitely say that music can change a person. And so can people being kind to you.
Arvo Pärt - "Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten" from the album "Part, A: Berliner Messe / Fratres / Collage Uber B-A-C-H / Summa / Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten"
I honestly don't think there is anything more emotive and heart-rending as this piece.
For the more logic-driven among us, I highly recommend reading up on this movement and his tintinnabuli style check out the Wiki about "Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten".
In our interview, I talked to Sam about the current Of the Vine Album "East The Water" and the band's development. You can read it here.
Sam's playlist on Spotify
