Listen to music that opens your heart-mind. Support local artists. Connect with street performers. Participate in crowdfunding campaigns. Buy directly from musicians, independent labels, or independent record stores. If you are inspired by music, share it. Tell your friends. Gift them with your favourites. Remember this: The gift must always flow!
Recommendations
First and foremost, if I had to recommend only one album to you, it would be “Hvel” by Árstíðir – among the most beautiful human-made sounds I’ve ever listened to. I also happily crowdfunded its production, which makes me the proud keeper of a sample of original ash from Eyjafjallajökull (plus CD and Vinyl and stuff). Close runner-up is Ayreon‘s “01011001” due to the epic storyline.
I deepened my love for crowdfunding, pay-what-you-like business models, and direct connection through Amanda Palmer, thanks to my dear brother who turned my attention towards her music on Bandcamp a couple of years ago.
Some other fine music which I’ve recently discovered and supported:
I recently discovered beautiful music on KEXP, such as Hælos.
More singer/songwriter/artist recommendations, on the inspirational / folk / medieval side:
- Agua de Annique
- Alanis Morissette
- Amanda Palmer
- Anneke van Giersbergen (most beautiful voice on the planet!)
- Arianna Savall
- Árstíðir
- Corvus Corax
- Damian Wilson (check him out here and here)
- Daniel Waples / Hang in Balance
- The Dresden Dolls
- Erwin R.
- Estampie
- Laura Inserra
- Loreena McKennitt
- Malukah
- The Moon and the Nightspirit
- The Moors
- Peia Luzzi
- Schandmaul
- Secret Sky
- Tori Amos
If you like darkwave, psybient/trance-like music and stuff:
If there can be some gothic / rock / metal / avantgarde / … in it:
- Ayreon
- Blind Guardian
- Epica
- The Gathering
- Haggard
- Maiden uniteD (I’ve seen them here)
- The Mission (UK)
- Nightwish
- Opeth
- Pain of Salvation
- Russkaja
- Savatage
- Shadow Gallery
- Subway To Sally
- Summoning
- Tarja
- Therion
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Ulver
- Vintersorg
- Within Temptation
Best album picks:
- Amanda Palmer – “There Will Be No Intermission” (2019)
- Anneke van Giersbergen – “The Darkest Skies are the Brightest” (2021)
- Árstíðir – “Hvel” (2015)
- Ayreon – “01011001” (2008) and “The Source” (2017)
- Blind Guardian – “Nightfall in Middle-Earth” (1998)
- Estampie – “Fin Amor” (2002)
- Loreena McKennitt – “An Ancient Muse” (2006)
- The Mission (UK) – “Carved in Sand” (1990)
- Nightwish – “Once” (2005) and “Human :||: Nature” (2020)
- Shadow Gallery – “Tyranny” (1998)
- Savatage – “Dead Winter Dead” (1995)
- Schandmaul – “Artus” (2019), “Leuchtfeuer” (2016), “Anderswelt” (2007) and “Narrenkönig” (2002)
- Secret Sky – “Secret Sky” (2016)
- Therion – “Lemuria / Sirius B” (2004) and “Secret of the Runes” (2001)
- Tori Amos – “Native Invaders” (2018)
Inspiring songs that move me to tears:
- Alanis Morissette – “You Owe Me Nothing In Return”
- Amanda Palmer – “Drowning in the Sound”, “Trout Heart Replica”
- Anneke van Giersbergen – “Beautiful One”, “The Blower’s Daughter”
- Arianna Savall – “Dóna’m la mà”
- Árstíðir – “Silfurskin”
- Ayreon – “Beneath the Waves”, “Valley of the Queens”, “Sea of Machines”, “The Dream Dissolves”, “The Source Will Flow”, “The Human Compulsion”
- Carbon Based Lifeforms – “Photosynthesis”
- Dire Straits – “Brothers in Arms”
- The Gathering – “On Most Surfaces”
- Guns N’ Roses – “Civil War”
- Nightwish – “Ghost Love Score”, “Shoemaker” (that finale!)
- Shadow Gallery – “Hope for us?”
- Within Temptation – “Our Solemn Hour”, “Our Farewell” (in duet with Anneke van Giersbergen)