Can You Possibly Quit Spotify?

The Brooklyn writer Izzy Ampil was fed up with the way Spotify manipulated her musical tastes and decided to go old school for music discovery and consumption. She reported on her experience in this Reboot article, which is a delightful read that touches on some of the reasons why algorithmically curated streaming services have adverse effects on music.

Ten years ago, I tried something similar by only listening to music that I actually am ready to spend money on. I did not want to go back to CDs like Izzy – I disliked the format too much – but instead, play digital files acquired from the iTunes Store or via download cards enclosed with vinyl albums.

That way, I could choose which artists’ work I want to support instead of my money going to the biggest stars, as is currently happening because of the pro-rata payout system that Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services are using.

Like Izzy, I subscribed to Spotify again after a short while. The convenience and the economics just make sense from the music listener’s point of view. Also, we started glamglare, which changed the way I consume music completely. While I do use algorithmic playlists from Apple Music and Spotify, most of my music discovery comes now from other sources.

In the end, Izzy and I came to similar conclusions with our experiments: Spotify & Co. offer an excellent service, but if you really love music, you also need to look elsewhere to not be sucked into an equalizing algorithmic vortex.

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Dawn Cadence – odyssey track-by-track comment

I am a long-time fan and admirer of Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer Vanessa Richardson, aka Dawn Cadence. Her debut full-length odyssey is filled with sonic explorations and surprises. You will need to wait until Friday, November 17, to listen, but surely Vanessa’s track-by-track comment will whet your appetite.

Track 1 - forbidden fruit

"‘forbidden fruit’ marks the beginning of my musical journey on this album. It was the first song I composed after deciding to dive back into creating music in December 2022. This track set the tone for the entire album, embracing a retro-futuristic vibe. Imagine it as the opening credits, giving listeners a roadmap for the sonic expedition ahead. Starting with the lively staccato synth, transitioning to heartfelt strings, and ending with the melancholy solo cello, it encapsulates the album’s emotional range. Initially planned as an instrumental, a sudden inspiration led me to add vocals just before mastering the tracks."

Track 2 - Dream Dancer

"I vividly remember the night I wrote ‘Dream Dancer.’ I opened my DAW, hoping to find that spark for a new tune. Sometimes, when ideas elude me, I experiment with MIDI sounds. The moment I heard ‘Dream Dancer,’ it was like love at first sound. I envisioned an entire movie in my mind after creating the main synth line. So, I wrote the lyrics subsequent to composing the instrumental track, dedicated to the allure of that specific sound."`

Track 3 - Speaking In Tongues

"‘Speaking In Tongues’ became my first unofficial single released in April. It's a sultry track, an unabashed expression of pleasure. For me, it’s crucial for women to be able to embrace their sensuality freely. Artists like Lana Del Rey, Eartheater, and Tanerelle have been my inspiration, challenging the conventional narratives around female sexuality."

Track 4 - Siren’s Song

"‘Siren’s Song’ came to life unexpectedly. In August, I felt something was missing from the album, so I decided to create another track. One night, an almost manic state washed over me, and I ended up producing the entire track—lyrics, vocals, and production—in just a couple of hours. It was so compelling that it completely shifted my plans. Originally, I intended to shoot the music video for ‘Phoenix,’ but right after producing this, I knew, ‘Nope, this is the one.’"

Track 5 - hand

"‘hand’ serves as a short interlude in the album’s narrative. It complements the story I had in mind for ‘Siren’s Song.’ “He pulls me, he takes me by the hand”. After successfully seducing the object of my desire, the dynamic  unexpectedly shifts, setting the stage for the next track, ‘Maybe That’s Why.’ It’s a moment of transition, adding depth to the unfolding story.”

Track 6 - Maybe That’s Why

"‘Maybe That’s Why’ is simply a raw, unfiltered venting session. It’s a rant, an outlet for my frustration about feeling used and vulnerable in relationships. Did a complete 180 in my usual production with this one because as you know I’m too chaotic to stick to one genre"

Track 7 - Wish I Could

"‘Wish I Could’ is a musical rollercoaster, blending trip hop elements with orchestral strings. There's something irresistible about this combination. I don't know about everyone else but when I’m going through heartache I really like to allow myself to feel those emotions and address them directly with the music I listen to. I don’t distract myself with happy tunes - I will cry and yell-sing along to Fiona Apple at the top of my lungs. Hopefully, people will find this song useful for sad twerking in the shower when they can’t get over someone.”

Track 8 - You Can Never Run Too Far

"We’ve reached the depressing part of the album - sonically inspired by artists like Weyes Blood and Ethel Cain. This song, born from my own struggles, is deeply personal. YCNRTF and Phoenix were both originally poems that I wrote during the peak of Montreal winter — and my seasonal depression is intense. Also, being at the tailend of my philosophy degree, I was having several existential crises per day. You Can Never Run Too Far addressed that feeling of hopelessness when you feel like you want to take a break from existence but also don’t want this break to be permanent - you’re sort of stuck thinking “okay what if I run away and start a new life elsewhere” but deep down you know the feeling will always be there with you. The guitar solo in this track comes straight from the heart, making it my favorite composition in my entire discography."

Track 9 - Phoenix

"‘Phoenix’ is a meditation on the highs and lows of the creative journey. Some days, I’m filled with hope and inspiration, reminiscent of the pure joy I felt making music in my childhood. Yet, growing older exposes us to the harsh realities of the creative industry: competition, judgments, and fears of failure. At the time I wrote this, I found myself revisiting the anxieties of my teenage years. Despite being aware of my creative spirit, there was this underlying pressure to pursue a traditional and safe career. I initially enrolled in university with dreams of becoming a lawyer. However, as my degree neared its end, I confronted the reality that I was fooling myself. Music had always been my driving force, my escape. In a spontaneous move to take my musical aspirations seriously, I applied to NYU’s Master of Music program for Vocal Performance, defying the conventional path set by my Bachelor of Arts degree.  I got accepted. Everything seemed set for a move to New York until the harsh truth hit me—international tuition fees at a private institution are sky-high. 'Phoenix' encapsulates the mix of emotions during that time—a tug-of-war between my aspirations and financial constraints, a sincere attempt to chart the uncertain course of my career and music."

Track 10 - Phoenix (Radio Edit)

"I initially planned a music video for ‘Phoenix,’ but its length posed a challenge. The track, over 5 minutes long, led to the creation of this radio edit. Despite the absence of the planned video, I chose to retain the essence of the song. Who knows, maybe that music video will come to life in the future."

Track 11 - greatest mysteries

"‘greatest mysteries’ is an energetic instrumental track that I hesitated to embrace fully at first. Being a young woman in the industry, I’ve experienced my fair share of condescension and mansplaining. I was always afraid to call myself a producer because of this. I’ve been told how my music should sound, which tools to use, and what principles to follow. Yet, I create from my intuition, my ear, and ultimately, my heart. This track sort of represents my perseverance in a way. Shoutout to Patrick Dunphy, who contributed his guitar skills. Catch us live at the Album Release Show in Montreal on November 19th at Casa Del Popolo!"

Track 12 - flight to mars (demo)

"‘flight to mars’ was written months before I even thought of this album. I never got around to finishing an instrumental track for it, as I moved on to other projects. Given the state of the world, I felt it was crucial to include, even as a demo.' The song was born from my deep frustration with the reality we live in and how quick we are to ‘other’ each other.  I find it disheartening to witness a lack of empathy in the face of senseless acts of hostility and violence. It's a stark reminder of our shared humanity, a call to break down the barriers that divide us. In this song, I express my longing for a world where we embrace our interconnectedness and coexist harmoniously. We are not isolated individuals; we are one people, connected to one another and the natural world. I dream of a planet where we treat each other and all forms of life with the compassion and understanding that reflect our shared existence.

Track 13 - fare thee well

"As I approached the final stages of odyssey, I felt the need for closure. ‘fare thee well’ became an impromptu conclusion, recorded just days before finishing the master tracks for the album. I improvised a melody and kept it a cappella. It’s a heartfelt goodbye to the emotional rollercoaster this album represents, a quiet farewell to the stories and experiences that have shaped this musical adventure."

Song Pick of the Day

Listen to/watch all seven songs on YouTube. Follow our daily updated playlists on YouTube and Spotify for the 50 latest Song Picks of the Day. Thank you for following us and sharing the excitement.

The LA electronic duo Gorgeous Dykes always surprises with their bright synth-pop that does not want to fit into any category. Their latest single, “¡No Pasarán!” is about going against the grain and finding comfort in it. Also, check out their eye-popping visuals.

I don’t think you can get much further away from Australia than Sweden – in any sense – but singer/songwriter Hazlett did the move. We don’t know how this experience influenced his songwriting, but “Slow Running” certainly reflects the mood of an early nightfall on a Sunday afternoon. The song is about being “Bunkered down in our thoughts and vivid imaginations of what might come and what might not ever be,” an unfortunate side-effect of our brain’s bias for assuming the worst.

“I wrote the whole song in 15 minutes out of annoyance for the person I was in a situationship with at the time,” says Dutch, London-based singer/songwriter Dafne Adriana. Maybe, one should avoid “situationships” altogether? But she made the best out of it and gave us this beautiful R&B-tinged pop song with “Coming & Going.”

“Happiness is a real place; it’s just not here,” sings London musician Tragic Sasha about her time living in a 12-person warehouse in East London. That reminds us of our first visit to London in 1992 (see below), which we spent in a room with five other people. But that was only for a few days, while Sasha had to live in this “Fishbowl” for an extended time.

The title cut of the new album Scream Over Everything by Nashville-based singer/songwriter Bre Kennedy is “about screaming over all of the noise around me, whether it’s social media, the chaos of the world, or the stories I've been telling myself.” But the song has a soothing quality that could keep you from literally screaming if things simply become too much.

“This Is Where We Hide” is the new indie rock single by Cornwall musician Harry Erikson, aka Hugmynd of his upcoming album Where’s Reuben?, out early next year. The song deals with waiting for permission when you could just move ahead.

Closing out this week’s playlist is upstate New York singer/songwriter Mackenzie Shivers. She is a brilliant storyteller, and her shows are a wonderful experience. Her new song, “A Cautionary Tale,” off her upcoming third album Primrose Was In Season is more beat-heavy than her previous work. Also, check out the video, which is in part filmed at one of our favorite places in Woodstock, NY.

Also Happening

We’re enjoying the new Apple TV+ series The Buccaneers after an unfinished novel by Edith Wharton that follows five rich American girls in Britain around 1870 in their quest to find fancy husbands. The best part is that it comes with a soundtrack produced by Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa featuring great female musicians, including her band and fellow Warpaint member Emily Kokal.

Nine Photos from May 1992 in London

The last time Oliver and I were together in London, U.K., was in May 1992. What a sunshine-filled whirlwind week that was! We had a decent film camera with us back then and managed to snap away two rolls of film, resulting in a whopping 39 photos that are still left. I am pretty confident that each of us will take 39 photos in one day alone, but we will see. For now, enjoy this little glimpse into our past.