in which I randomly talk about music ...

Whenever I'm sitting at my office desk, either madly rushing out Action Plans like my keyboard was on fire, or sitting idly daydreaming and pretending procrastination was my actual job, I'm listening to music.

Music helps me concentrate. Music helps me write. Music helps me block out annoying Sales people who are hounding me for things, while I struggle to resist throwing my chair out the window. Music sometimes can be therapeutic  :)

In today's music industry, which is saturated with songs of questionable material values, sex, alcohol, getting wasted, not being a responsible human being, and Nicki Minaj, I'm happy to know there are still people out there who are making beautiful music.

Now Listening To ...

Sigur Ros - Varuo

I love Sigur Ros for the fact they don't sing actual lyrics, which makes the melody all the more powerful. There's something ethereal about Scandinavian musicians which makes you think, amidst all that cold and snow, they must be hiding some magical fairyland or doorway to another planet.

This is the translation of the Morse code in the video, in case anyone is curious:
“It doesn’t matter what I say,”
“The only thing that matters is how you feel.”
“Understanding that the words are irrelevant is of great importance.”
“What feelings do you have.”
[Source]

Ed Sheeran - Lego House
Besides having an unconventionally, melodically, flexible voice, Ed Sheeran plays some pretty mean guitar. And there's something melancholically sad yet hopeful about all his songs and lyrics, which are poetic in their simplicity.

His songs are just so honest and unpretentious, and he sings about real human emotions without all the overwrought angst. (Plus this music video was brilliantly acted out by Ron Weasley Rupert Grint ... He's going places, that boy. OwO) Small Bump gets props for being heart-wrenching and refreshingly unconventional at the same time ...

The Script - Hall of Fame
I had that one day where I looped this over and over, and maddeningly convinced myself that no, I am not my mistakes, I will not be limited to the prisons I built for myself, and I will learn that bloody song on ukulele by December, dammit.

This song inspires, and convinces me that I can be more than the guilt and mistakes of my past, and I can move past whatever limits I imagine are holding me back.

Hans Zimmer - Time
My absolute favourite film-soundtrack piece. It's aptly called "Time", because it convinces you that it can stretch on and on and yet be so fleeting.

Mumford & Sons - The Cave
I have dear Deborah to thank for introducing me to this song, on an impromptu karaoke-night I didn't expect to discover good music. The lyrics are simple, yet invitingly inspiring.

 I would tell people this song is about my own internal struggles and triumph over my inner demons, but everyone is just going to say the same thing about themselves. :P