PLAYLIST: Back Into The Sun
We’re back again to kick off your Summer with our July playlist! We’ve handpicked 30 tracks to bring some sunshine inside. We may not be able to fully go outside, which we all know has taken its toll on all of us. But The Photo Ladies are here to try and help cheer you up!
With 100 founding members, and over 1000 Photo Ladies part of our community, we all have a huge variety of musical tastes, and we plan to showcase them each month through our upcoming playlists. Full playlist below, along with some Photo Lady blurbs behind the choices.
“One of my old favorite bands, The Dig, are back under a new name! Here’s their debut single, just in time for Summer. Whether we’re still in quarantine, or manage to make it out into the sunshine, this song brings the good vibes we all need.”
Put summer in a song and you get Watermelon Sugar. Harry Styles is at it again with this incredibly addictive single that captures all the lazy glory of a summer evening. - Dana Jacobs | @pics.by.dana
I’ve really been enjoying DOUBLECAMP’s new tracks. Every single they’ve released has been a Summer bop waiting to happen. - Carolyn Lederach | @Cled1024
Operation Ivy was a huge part of my teenage life. Whenever I think of that period of time, all I see is sunshine and good times. I’m probably viewing the past through rose colored glasses, but I don’t care. Op Ivy and their songs always bring me back, and I love it. - Stephanie Augello | @sawjello
“It’s time for some summer grooves. Khruangbin dropped a couple singles recently in anticipation of their latest album, ‘Fly Mordechai,’ out on June 26th. They’re a perfect band for practically any occasion, but I personally think their tunes were made for sunny summer days. ”
“‘LDN’ always makes it onto my summer playlists (along with ‘Smile’ and other Lily Allen hits). But now, more than ever, I identify with this song summer approaches, the states start reopening, and people are out and about as if there isn’t a global pandemic still killing thousands daily.
’When you look with your eyes/
Everything seems nice/
But if you look twice/
You can see it’s all lies’”
Aly & AJ not only released this powerful yet moody dance bop, they made a stunning music video to go along with it (made in quarantine)! The video draws inspiration from 1928's silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc, and ties in today's current political climate. - Erin Brown | @erinbrown_photography
“Quarantine isn’t stopping her. Lauren Jauregui released her new single Lento while stuck at home. Lento is a sensual, bilingual hit that’s all about getting lost in an entrancing rhythm and wanting to ‘go slow, a little slower.’ Lauren is still releasing singles and is in the finishing stage of her debut album that will be released sometime this year. ”
“Hayley Williams has always been known for being energized and fiery in her performances with Paramore, but ‘Dead Horse,’ off her new solo album Petals For Armor shows a more groovy, introspective side to Williams as a writer and musician. It’s super funky and fun sonically while still being so personal and intimate lyrically, I love it. ”
PLAYLIST: Black Lives Matter
It’s been quite the year and getting even more interesting with a much needed revolution at hand. We couldn’t move forward this month without addressing all the amazing music that has influenced…well, all music. That is Black music! That’s why we’re dedicating this month’s playlist to Black Lives Matters and featuring all Black artists we know and love.
With 100 founding members, and over 1000 Photo Ladies part of our community, we all have a huge variety of musical tastes, and we plan to showcase them each month through our upcoming playlists. Full playlist below, along with some Photo Lady blurbs behind the choices.
While we have you here, here are some other resources to educate and get involved:
-National Resource List (A daily updated list of Legal Support/Bail Support, Places to Donate, Tips for Protesting and Social Media, and more)
-Ways You Can Help (Daily updated links to everything you need to know to help right now)
“‘Life is just a game, we’re all just the same’ This song is filled with controversial topics that resonated with Prince at the time. This line hits hard even now. Some people believe that everybody is equal and that we shouldn’t stress out over the little things. Life is not the same for everybody! We aren’t the same, but we should be. But we aren’t! Philosophically we are all the same, yes. But my struggles are different than the struggles of my neighbor, and it’s up to us to highlight this and hold those accountable to see the difference in struggles and use it to their advantage. ”
This song has brought me to tears every time I see Zeek perform it. It’s a powerful piece about how we’re all the same and have the power to change the world if we come together. - Carolyn Lederach | @Cled1024
I first saw Radkey (@radkeyrock) play in a small club in Des Moines a few years back and was instantly a fan. Their high-energy punk rock sound is amazing and their live performances better yet. They are SO FUN to watch and photograph. Cannot wait to see them again. - Alyssa Leicht | @alyssaleicht
“Maneka, is the new project of Devin McKnight, known for his work in Grass is Green and Speedy Ortiz. He describes his newest album as ‘guitar album about black pride and addressing [his] confusion as a minority in white indie rock scenes.’”
“NYC blue-punk outfit The 1865 recently released their LP ‘Don’t Tread on Me,’ in which...”each song...features different explorations of life in 1865 America, a land living in the shadows of the fallen Confederacy.” ‘Hidden Track’ is one of those songs. Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the band had a monthly residency at Lower Manhattan bar Max Fish with scene mates Rebelmatic and MAAFA. ”
Saba is an amazing Chicago rapper, and Noname is a powerful black female artist from the city too. This song reminds me of warm Chicago summer days. - Kate Scott | @kate_scott_photography
A powerful song calling for racial harmony through love, and calling for an end to division and hate. - Annette Holloway | @AnnetteHollowayPhotos
“Whenever I need a boost of confidence and reassurance that I can handle whatever life throws my way, I bump this track right here! Bbymutha is talented, so creative, and unstoppable. She’s everything!”
“Devon infuses his music with a range of influences, from Hendrix to Afrobeat to old school soul. He pays homage to his past while looking directly at the future .... taking lessons from what he’s learned and infecting us with his positivity and vulnerability. All while flashing the most dazzling infectious genuine smile you’ve ever seen. ”
PLAYLIST: May Tunes For Quarantine
We’re back again and hope you’ve been keeping sane out there! The Photo Ladies are back again with our second edition of our monthly playlist, May Tunes For Quarantine. We’re stuck inside (in some places) another month, and we know we all are in need of new tunes. We’ve got you covered with 40 fun tracks we’ve had on repeat. With 100 founding members, and over 1000 Photo Ladies part of our community, we all have a huge variety of musical tastes, and we plan to showcase them each month through our upcoming playlists. Full playlist below, along with some Photo Lady blurbs behind the choices.
“My wife introduced me to John Prine a decade ago when she grabbed his self-titled debut album from a crate of used vinyl at a flea market. Sure, I’d heard “Angel from Montgomery” but I hadn’t yet uncovered the depths of his genius. We got home, took the vinyl for a spin, and the rest is history. We lost him to complications from COVID-19 on April 7th - just a devastating loss for music, America, humanity. I’m immensely grateful for his legacy. Rest easy, John Prine. ”
I can never just play this song once, it has a 2x playback requirement! - Ester Segretto | @estersegrettophotography
This is the perfect quarantine tune to make you think about a bright future...maybe. The thought that there's someone out there for you but you might not have them around yet. It's a refreshing way to think about love. - Carolyn Lederach | @Cled1024
One of the best artists of the last few years is still the one of the best artists of this year. - Victoria Sanders | @veesanders
“This song is getting me through this coronavirus pandemic. It really speaks to me in this difficult time by acknowledging struggle but unmistakably pours out a determination and confidence of hope that’s sure to come. I love songs with that blend of juxtaposition: a true reflection of how life is not so black and white, but rather, lighter/darker greys and a mixture of both ‘either,’ ‘neither’ and ‘or.’ ”
“‘If I could ease your mind,
calm the storm inside
Pull your drifting heart back from a cruel and bitter tide
Show you that tomorrow everything will be just fine
All in due time’
Nothing like an optimistic heavy metal song to lift my spirit up! ”
Melkbelly's a band from Chicago who released their second album in early April on Wax Nine Records. "Kissing Under Some Bats" is their longest songs on the release (most tracks are under 3 minutes long) and is one of my favorites on the new record. - Edwina Hay | @arenotphotos
Ariana And The Rose is an independent artist from New York, and I have especially been feeling her song You Were Never My Boyfriend during my stay at home since quarantine has truly shown which of my potential love interests actually cared or not - Taylor Nettnin | @taylornettnin
“Future bass and crackling glass. - Leave It Be is a new song by KELLALIT, who is a DJ and producer that I have created photo content for... including the album’s cover photo. ”
“Dream pop forward “Emotional Devotion Creator” highlight Peel Dream Magazine’s male/female vocals that wrap around each other like strands of DNA. You get it all in this... fuzzy, shiny, drone-y, and dreamy. ”
Jada Michael’s newest release “Freak” is a phenomenal slow jam, sure to seduce any audience. With her silky voice Michael’s has the raw talent, confidence and polished sound that makes this song even more stunning. - Jessi McKee | @jmckeephotos
Allegra is one of my favorite voices on the planet right now and I am constantly mesmerized by her music. She is releasing her new album soon and this first single is such a delight! - Liz Maney | @lizsmalls
A standard on my playlists since this album came out, “Haunted” is by far a stand out track for me on The Band CAMINO’s album ‘tryhard’. This track blends indie and rock, while not conforming to the traditional standards of music. - Addie Whelan | @addieleewhelan
PLAYLIST: Distancing Together
What better time to kick off our long awaited Photo Ladies blog than with a playlist!? First off, thanks for stopping by and supporting us. As we all know, one of the great thing that brings us all together and comforts us is music, no matter what else is going on in the world. With 100 founding members, and over 1000 Photo Ladies part of our community, we all have a huge variety of musical tastes, and we plan to showcase them each month through our upcoming playlists. Full playlist below, along with some Photo Lady blurbs behind the choices.
“This album (Mystic Familiar) has been on repeat at my home this year. Very meditative. I was supposed to photograph him at the Metro (Chicago) this April so thought it was a fitting selection. ”
An emotional ride from the mind of BOOTS. - Victoria Sanders @veesanders
Nashville singer-songwriter Tristen released "Can't Walk That Back", a catchy and jangly indie pop tune that's sure to get stuck in your head. - Colette Custin | @colettecustinphoto
The perfect Psych Rock escape for during this shelter in place. - Angela | @itsmissgirlface
“The song aims to make people feel less alone by candidly speaking to mental health, encouraging those who feel trapped inside their own heads to make a change.”
“KOKOROKO are a young 8-piece band from London, inspired by Afrobeat and funk and the blazing UK jazz scene. They released this single in early March, as they were set to make their US debut at SXSW this year. This song is a great introduction to their sound, which includes vocals by their female horn section, led by trumpeter and bandleader Sheila Maurice-Grey.”
How I feel about the world right now. - Stephanie Augello | @sawjello
A lighthearted, dreamy pop song that makes me feel like I’m in a warm, sunny field. - Kate Scott | @kate_scott_photography
I manage Hex Girls, and they're working on wrapping their upcoming album, which is in the mixing and mastering stages. I'm super excited to share new music from them when it's out, but until that's released in July, this is my favorite track off their first album! - Alyssa Leicht | @alyssaleicht
“Charleston, SC-based Contour crafts consistently masterful music, and his recently release EP “Weight” conjures a spooky, melancholy energy that resonates with our uncertain times. “Good Call” is an assuring track full of mindful affirmations and self-love. The groove of this song is perfect for when you’re exploring a new path through your neighborhood on a daily walk or winding down from yet another day of distancing.”
“I felt like this song was really fitting for what some of us are going through right now and even with the the high energy and fun vibe, it definitely touches on some deeper feelings. The line “can’t be 100 if you’re only giving 95” especially stands out because we may all feel a lack of motivation right now, but it’s a reminder to give it your best to feel your best.”