The Sound of Heaven with tsewart aka Machinedrum

“Laraaji is truly a master of experiencing pure bliss through sound. All of his songs explore the connection between mysticism and music. This song, produced by Brian Eno, takes you away to a meditative state with the hypnotic and psychedelic sounds of Laraaji’s famed zither. I imagine Laraaji with his eyes closed as he gently strums his zither in peace.”

“This song has always had a special place in my heart. Both artists involved are long time friends of mine, and I always find my way back to this collab between the two. The way each element is slowly introduced feels like you’re receiving a big hug. Esa and Lassi (Lackluster & Brothomstates) are both from Finland which spends a good chunk of the year in darkness, and a bit of the summer with a midnight sun. This song feels like the balance of dark and light which is a beautiful place to exist.”

“I love Kelly’s (aka Wet) ability to play with subtleties that feel so emotional. It feels like I’m watching a sad and uplifting film, the climax of the movie. The lyrics invoke feelings of fragility and weakness while maintaining resilience and strength at the same time. It reminds me that there is power in vulnerability.”

“Carlo Gesualdo lived a deeply troubled life that ended in deep depression, even at one point killing his wife and child. When you hear his madrigals you sense that he was trying to escape this darkness through the uplifting spiritual nature of choral music. Ahead of his time, his chromatic language used in his songs was the first of it’s kind. It sounds like ascending voices lifting you higher and higher.”

“Olive’s music feels one with nature. Even though most of their music is electronic based, there is a very organic and growing sensation that the songs have. The lyrics to Find Home paint the picture of a bird flying through the forest to find it’s nest. Eckhardt Tolle talks about how when we appreciate nature without definition or labels we are experiencing the beauty of the present moment. I think Green-House understands this concept and expresses it beautifully through their music.”

“The sounds of the harp and kora instantly transport me to paradise. I feel like everything is going to be ok when I hear these instruments by themselves. Hearing them both masterfully played together in this gorgeous duet between Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita is an incredible opportunity to hear these two instruments as they create a symbiotic sound that warms your soul.”

“Joanne embraces the spirit of mother earth through her voice, singing traditional songs of the Iroquois that honor the strength and courage of women. I play this song to my daughter every night to help her fall asleep. The rounds of voices send you into a state of tranquility like the calming voice of a mother.”

“This song makes me feel like I’m home again. I grew up in the foothills of North Carolina, and the sound of the fiddle gives me great nostalgia. It feels deeply connected to the earth, echoing off the faces of the mountains. Ellemwood Meditation bridges the gap between folk and mystic music.”

“Voices literally sounds like you’re listening to the sounds of heaven through a wall. Close enough to feel it’s embrace yet distant enough to want more. I originally discovered this song when I was in high school through a mixtape that my friend Gabe made. I didn’t know who made the song until years later. That tape helped me through some of the most anxious and depressing years of my life, and this song always made be feel like there was light at the end of the tunnel.”

“We end with one of my favorite musicians of all time, Boards of Canada. This song feels like most of their songs do: A beautiful balance of light and dark. Tears from the Compound Eye sounds like a haunted recording, made by a friendly ghost. I imagine a sunset over the hills and all the changing colors that come with it as the sun falls over the horizon.”