digitalcitrus.com

Chris Cendana
“When The Lights Burn Out”

I discovered Chris today on youtube. You should watch all his videos on youtube.

He also has a myspace page.

His influences include John Mayer, Musiq Soulchild, Jason Mraz, Brian McKnight, and Jack Johnson.

Kate Havnevik
“Kaleidoscope”

I’ve been very “downtempo” lately. Long hours at work probably have something to do with it.

I received a very nice email from a Alex O. which inspired me to find something tonight.

I’ve been listening to a love of Kate Havnevik, Imogen heap, (and frou frou of course) lately. I’ve also been listening to Gnarles Barkley and some rapper named Flo rida – his stuff is just hilarious, and he makes use of interesting rhythmic phrasing.

Anyway, the opening of this song, “kaleidoscope” reminds me of opening scenes of dramas, or closing credits. It’s somber and beautifully arranged. I hope this helps be break the ice on another year of posting music.

Please enjoy. Thank you all for the encouraging emails.

I closed out a year on the site, but I have been getting requests to post more music.

Officially, the project is over, but I think I’ll continue to post sporadically, as I discover music that I love.

I’m incredibly busy until March 3rd. After that, look for more music to hit the site.

Cat Power
“The Greatest”

Well, I wouldn’t call her the greatest. That might be reserved for Mohammed Ali, but she is great.
I first learned of Cat power through television commercials. After that, I went musical-spelunking for her works. She’s got some great tunes.

This one has bits of “Moon River” in it. Can you pick it out?

Christmas is in full swing. I’ve sunk a lot of money on christmas lights, a tree, and all manner of christmas decor this year. This is what happens when you buy a house. Be warned.

I’m continuing a tradition I started a few years ago – I’m putting up an internet radio station complete with Christmas music. It’s All Christmas all the time! I have a pretty eclectic mix of tunes in rotation and I’ll have the radio station up 24/7 until New Years day. Click here to tune in. You can use Shoutcast (windows) or iTunes (win/mac), or whatever else can read a playlist stream. If you want more details about the stream: http://www.digitalcitrus.com:8000/
ENJOY. The Power of Christmas Compels you.

p.s. I drew that Christmas tree in 2003 with only a mouse in photoshop. Cartoony aint it?

Griffin House
“Only Love Remains”

There’s something very powerful and reminiscent in this song for me. Years ago in college when I was a music major, I’d go to the concert hall and lock myself away in one of the small and intimate piano auditoriums. I would turn out all the lights and just play the piano. No words. No light. Only music. I will forever remember how the echoing chords touched me in a very literal sense. The notes would hang in the air forever as if they didn’t want to leave that dark room. The beginning of this song reminds me of what I used to play in that dark room. I hope you let the first few chords seep into you.

Just when I thought this song couldn’t get any better, the harmonica rings out. It’s brilliant.

On a side note, I thought the production of this song was interesting – especially the ending. He sings an octave above and at a much louder dynamic (as you should be able to tell in his vocal inflections), but he’s standing further away from the microphone, and it is almost like he’s singing in a room too small for his voice.

By the way, this version of the song isn’t the same one as on the CD attached to this post. I honestly can’t tell you where to get this copy. (other than here)

I hope you enjoy.

All my things, melt away.
Only love… love remains.

Billy Joel
“And So it Goes”

Billy Joel holds a special place in my heart. I’ve listened to his music with great fondness since I was a young child. For some reason, listening to him reminds me of my dad. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that dad and I (and my brother) often took long weekend trips in a car to see his mom (my grandmother). On the way, we would regularly hear a Billy Joel song. Dad’s favorite (if memory serves) was “piano man”.

Aside from the fond memories, Billy Joel is an amazing pianist and singer/songwriter. This song is so honest and so powerful.

The closing phrases…hit so hard…

so I would choose to be with you
That’s if the choice were mine to make.
but you can make decisions too
and you can have this heart to break.

And so it goes, and so it goes…
and you’re the only one who knows.

Honorable mention: If you dig choral groups, You’ve got to hear the King’s Singers version of this song. It’s pretty amazing.

Sara Bareilles
“Gravity”

I’ve had this song on standby since before I left for my Jamaica Vacation in early September.
I just never got around to posting it — sorry.

Sarah reminds me of Sarah McLachlan a bit. I hope you like it.

I’ve been busy lately. I’m in the process of buying my first house. This website might be quiet for a couple weeks more.

Hem
“The part where you let go”

Like the indigo girls, the harmonies in this song are actually lower than the melody. I absolutely love the result. If I were to classify this group, I’d say it’s nickel creek meets Indigo girls. It’s a bit more complex than just that though. You’ll find many more instruments in HEM’s arsenal. If you listen to “Half acre” you’ll hear a bassoon, an oboe, piano, xylophone, clarinets, and strings.

If a sense of musical folk is your thing, you’ll really dig this music.

Chris Hawkes
“Falling Into Doubt”

This song played on MTV tonight. Chris is a great Texas (yay!) artist. I love his chord progressions. If you’ve ever listened to old school seven mary three, you’ll notice a lot of resemblance in the sort of dissonant chord patterns, and similarly how they resolve. It’s great music. I also have a thing for falsetto lately. This guy will be making a splash in the coming days, you can be sure.