Julia Nunes has been a singer-songwriter since age 13. She plays guitar, ukulele, melodica, and piano, but she also uses household items, such as pillows, water bottles, tissue boxes or an old slinky, for extra percussion. Her charm is best displayed on stage or in the videos she posts on YouTube. Using video/audio layering and a unique approach to song arrangement, Julia has created over 60 music videos of originals and covers, most of which have been viewed an average of 650,000 times
The Early November / Hair When I listen to this song, I allow myself to be as cynical and damning of the world as I can possibly get, and still have a spring in my step. I envision a Barbie version of myself making her way through the world, becoming self aware and crestfallen with a smile frozen on her face.
The Mary Onettes’ critically acclaimed debut was described as “the perfect mix between A-Ha and The Jesus and Mary Chain”. Their new album is entitled Islands. Imagine a Swedish equivalent of The National on a diet of speed, Planet Earth DVDs, and 80’s guitar pop singles and you’ll have a vague idea of how good this album is.
Kate Bush / Running Up That Hill I have such a clear memory of the first time I heard this. A friend of mine made a CD with his favorite songs for me, about six years ago. This song was number one, and I immediately fell in love with Kate Bush and her music. It had such a strong impact on me and I had never before felt that I could fall in love with a song like that. With the song Cloudbusting, I almost felt the same way. That summer I was listening to Hounds Of Love all the time and somehow I have never got tired of it.
With a blend of old-school punk, world beat and modern pop influences, Chicago-based AM Taxi combine experience with exuberance on their Virgin Records debut, We Don’t Stand A Chance due out early 2010.
The Sonics / Have Love, Will Travel Adam: Of all the garage bands forming in the Pacific Northwest around the early to mid-1960s, The Sonics had the most fuel. They were louder and faster, yet they somehow had more soul than their peers. Have Love, Will Travel is ideal for any impromptu three A.M. wake up calls. You’ll be a hit with the neighbors.
The project of singer-songwriter Peter Walker, LA quartet Eulogies mix mellow pop songs with alt-country touches, as reflected on their full-length debut album, Here Anonymous.
My Morning Jacket / It Beats 4U This album – Z – and song in particular was a big influence for some of our rhythmic approaches on Here Anonymous. I’ve loved this band for a long time, and respect how they’ve grown over the years.
The Little Ones were formed in Los Angeles in early 2006. The summery-sounding band wear their influences (the Beach Boys, the Zombies) on their sleeves while composing some of the brightest indie rock of the new millennium.
Elbow / On a Day Like This We were in the UK when this record won the Mercury award. We finally picked up Seldom Seen Kid and were just floored. The whole record is really great and has such fantastic ideas going on. This song is so beautiful, lyrically and sonically. It’s been a permanent fixture in my morning routine. It just has that ‘I’m gonna take on the day’ vibe to it.
My Secret Playlist is a music discovery website and weekly email publication. We invite our favourite bands and musicians to give us the rundown on their eight favourite songs right now. These are their words on the music that inspires them.
