Anna Gram

I'm a Glasgow based DJ and this is my musical brain dump. I'll post songs that I play in sets, and music I like in general. Expect Electronica/Disco/House/Techno/Synthpop....and anything else melodically marvellous! Playlist on Spotify - Aurally Like That Song

[aurallylikethatsong]

D.I.S.C.O Pt 2

It’s Friday, that means it’s Disco time! I’ve already waffled on about my love for all things Disco in a previous post, so let’s just cut to the chase and let the music do the talking

Starting things off with the one most people will recognise. Sister Sledge are 100% bonafide Disco Divas, and this song is ridiculously catchy. I’m posting up the Dimitri from Paris remix because it only serves to enhance the original, which is just too damn short!

The word ‘epic’ gets banded about too often, but when I try and think of another good adjective to describe the sheer length and musicality of ‘Kiss Me Again’ I fall short. Written and produced by the wonderful Arthur Russell (if you’ve never heard of him, I urge you to google him) this is 13mins of rich, melodic Disco goodness

I honestly want this played at my funeral. This song is one of my happy places, and I have so many wonderful memories of dancing with friends, in various states of inebriation, to this absolute belter. The phrase ‘needs more cowbell’ can get fucked when it comes to ‘This Time Baby’ cos it has ALL THE COWBELL 

[aurallylikethatsong]

Feel My Bicep

When I started this blog I envisioned it would be a place for me to brain dump a bunch of electronic music that I was currently listening too or playing out in sets, but in typical me fashion I went off on a bit of a tangent and it’s turned into way more than that. However, I want to dedicate this post to Bicep, whose music is so prevalent in my record collection. I think I pretty much own 80% of the music they’ve produced, and at least 1 of their original tracks or remixes will appear in every set I play. They have the ability to produce tracks that blur the lines of many different genres - housey one minute, trancey the next, with a full on techno bassline. Their music is interesting, uplifting, hypnotic and guaranteed to get me dancing like a maniac! They are also excellent DJs, run the brilliant Feel My Bicep record label, and are lovely guys...what’s not to like? Here are a few of my favourites.

Starting with what’s probably their most successful record to date - ‘Just’ builds you into a frenzy with its repetitive loops and soaring bassline...it’s addictive

Satisfy makes me feel like I’ve been transported back in time to an early 90′s warehouse rave!

Cielo is the perfect example of how Bicep can cover different genres in a track. Is it house? Is it trance? What I do know is it’s fucking brilliant!

**CAUTION** Higher Level will hypnotise you and steal your soul...play it loud

I don’t know where to start with Celeste. I think it’s one of the most beautiful pieces of electronic music I’ve ever heard. It gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it....close your eyes and let it encapsulate you

[aurallylikethatsong]

Music Therapy

I am a firm believer in the immense healing properties of music. It’s always there for you, telling you what you really need to hear in that moment. Today’s selection are my ultimate ‘Power Up’ songs. They’ve helped get me through the toughest of times, and reminded me to always TYCI (Tuck Your Cunt In) and get the fuck on with life. I’m not going to go into great detail about each song and what they mean to me....I’ll just let them do the talking

Ben Howard - The Fear (’I will become what I deserve’....ooft)

Tina Dico - Count To Ten (’Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to go slow’...nailed it)

Major Lazer - Get Free (I cried when Amber Coffman sang this at the Women’s March in Washington)

Red Carpet - Alright (One of the most uplifting dance tunes of all time)

First Aid Kit - My Silver Lining OK I can’t not talk about this one. Every single lyric in this song seemed like it had been written especially for me, at a time in my life when I needed it the most. It became my daily musical mantra, and it still effects me the same way whenever I listen to it.

TYCI everyone....life is great!

[aurallylikethatsong]

Italo-Disco

Hi, my name’s Italo-Disco.....I’m Disco’s MUCH camper European cousin! I don’t know what it is about Italo that I love so much - is it the English lyrics sung with questionable accents, the uber-gayness of it, or the fact that it’s just so damn catchy? Don’t get me wrong, some of it is fucking diabolical, but there’s also a ton of super classy fromage if you know where to look. ***I have included the original videos for all of the following, and I highly recommend taking a few minutes out of your day to watch them....because they are AMAZING!***

Starting things off with Kano - Another Life, an absolute Italo classic. The synths in this are bloody brilliant. One of the best things about this video is the top comment on YouTube: “Sings like a god, moves like a white guy“....NAILED IT

The music in Vivien Vee - Remember is soooo funky, but I think my absolute favourite thing is her wonderful accent when she sings in English....uber-lolz

Finishing with what’s undoubtedly my favourite Italo song of all time. Hypnotic Tango by My Mine has everything I want from a tune: cosmic space synths, incredible melodies, and catchy lyrics...it’s also one of my favourite music videos because of the terrible out of time miming and general awkwardness of it. If you only watch one of the three MAKE IT THIS ONE!!

If you enjoy the music on this blog you may be interested in the Spotify playlist that goes along with it. Everything that’s posted here is on there (depending on if Spotify have it)

[aurallylikethatsong]

Synthpop

Synthpop holds a special place in my heart. I’m sure it’s a product of growing up in the 80′s when the genre was at it’s peak and dominated the charts. No doubt this genre, along with Disco, are responsible for my great love of electronic music. The ones I’ve selected here are all songs that I regularly play during DJ sets, because they blend so well with modern dance music….and they’re fucking awesome!

Let’s start with one of the most well know. Annie Lennox surely has one of the most recognisable voices on the planet, and ‘Sweet Dreams’ is timeless, sounding just as fresh now as it did when it was first released in 1983. Also…I’m always blown away by how just how fucking hot she looks in her suit!

I am such a Yazoo fan, and Alison Moyet’s voice absolutely slays me. It was a toss up between this song and ‘Don’t Go’, but ‘Situation’ won out because it is an absolute dancefloor destroyer.

If I had to pick a song that stands out the most from my childhood, it would be this. I remember recording it on tape, whilst listening to the Top 40 charts on Sunday (old skool), and playing it over and over. I was obsessed with this song…..I’m still obsessed with this song….It makes me feel all the feels.

I’m not sure I can write anything about ‘Smalltown Boy’ that will do it justice or express just how much it means to me. It’s a strange juxtaposition of heartbreaking and tragic, but completely uplifting and euphoric all at once. Here’s the extended mix for 9 full minutes of pure Synthpop excellence.

[aurallylikethatsong]

Movie Soundtracks

Music is such a valuable commodity to a film. How often have you watched something on screen and the music has been the thing to tip you over the edge emotionally? Music can even make a mediocre film bearable if it’s done properly (I’m looking at you Tron: Legacy and Interstellar!) It was incredibly hard to pick only a few of my favourite songs from movies, so I’ll no doubt revisit this again. This selection represents my standout favourites from amazing OSTs which, coincidentally, happen to be from some of my favourite films

Starting with the master himself - Hans Zimmer! If the music is epic and moving in a film, then you can pretty much guarantee that Hans is behind it. I don’t think he’s capable of producing a bad song. There are so many to choose from, but if you REALLY made me pick, then this would win every time (pun intended)

If you’ve never seen ‘Into the Wild’ I couldn’t recommend it more. The ultimate movie about taking yourself out of the rat-race and going off grid. And with Eddie Vedder providing the soundtrack, it just enhances it even more. I listened to this song a LOT after Brexit and the US Elections (when I wanted the world to stop so I could get the fuck off!)

I can remember going to the cinema to see Romeo and Juliet when it first came out and wanting to be Leonardo Dicaprio so badly (I soon realised it was because I had a crush on Claire Danes, and I wanted Romeo’s shirt collection.) It’s got one of the best OSTs around and it’s visually stunning, but this piece from Glaswegian composer Craig Armstrong, is the one that gets me right in the feels

If you don’t love Amelie you are dead inside. Yann Tiersen’s whole soundtrack is incredible, but I could listen to this song on a loop 

I am such a sucker for melancholy piano and strings (which I’ve no doubt mentioned before) and this piece of music combined with Kate Winslet breaking my fucking heart into as million pieces just about finished me off. I don’t cry during films very often, but when I watched ‘The Reader’ I was sobbing.

I need to give honourable mentions to other songs I wanted to add to this post, but tumblr wouldn’t let me (BOO): Born Slippy - Underworld (Trainspotting) Love on a Real Train - Tangerine Dream (Risky Business) You’re So Cool - Hans Zimmer (True Romance) Alone in Kyoto - Air (Lost in Translation) John Williams....pretty much all his back catalogue 

[aurallylikethatsong]

Live performances

I don’t know if you agree with me, but anyone who can perform live exceptionally well makes me weak AF! I’ve already posted up my favourite live performance of all time (Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon), but here are a few more that blow me away everytime.

Pearl Jam are my youth and angsty teenage years. I have been lucky enough to see them twice in concert and it was immense. Eddie Vedder is officially the only man who I could ever love, because he is BEAUTIFUL and has one of the best voices on the planet. If you’ve never seen their MTV Unplugged concert, here’s a link - I highly recommend it

I am in love with Johanna and Klara Söderberg. Their voices and songs are pure heaven. FIRST AIDER FOR LIFE....seriously, if you ever get a chance to see them live DO IT! This is them performing their song ‘Emmylou’ to Emmylou Harris and it is bloody wonderful. **FUN FACT** This was the first dance at mine and @weasal‘s wedding, because our names are in the song and we fucking love First Aid Kit

I was watching Glastonbury highlights a few years ago and this beautiful, statuesque woman appeared on the screen....then she started singing. The song hadn’t even finished before I’d bought her album. Fatoumata Diawara is a fascinating person to read about, and her music carries a message of female empowerment, which is pretty taboo in her native Mali. Go check out her other music (the video works even though it looks like it doesn’t, I promise!)

Aretha Franklin singing a Carole King song to Carole King, whilst Obama looks on and cries.....nuff fucking said.....AMAZING

Finishing with a slightly more obscure video of a very young Gabrielle Aplin. The first time I heard this I pretty much froze and was glued to the screen. When it finished I hit repeat.....about 15 times in a row. Goosebump inducing doesn’t even do it justice

[aurallylikethatsong]

Monday mood brighteners

URGH MONDAY’S amiright? It’s a tough day of the week for sure, so I always try and boost my morale by listening to anything uplifting. Here are some of my classic ‘go-to’ tracks.

So much to love about this Stevie classic. The lyrics are also a good reminder to celebrate life and stay positive....total sunshine music

Gil Scott-Heron’s gravelly vocals + Jamie xx’s beautiful melodies = Instant happiness....this makes me want to hug everyone

The strings alone in this song make it immense, it’s just soooo good!

OBVIOUSLY we have to end with this. One of the best songs ever. I can often be spotted walking to work on a Monday morning singing along to this (and probably getting strange looks....WORTH IT!) And after watching the video again, I’ve just realised how much the lead singer of Toto is a perfect cross between Zach Galifianakis and Bevers from Broad City

[aurallylikethatsong]

Sunday slow jams

Lazy Sunday’s are just the best aren’t they? Especially when you’re nursing a small hangover *cough* Here's a selection of some of my favourite soothing melodies.

Let’s start with a sexy slow jam. Delilah’s cover of the Minnie Riperton classic is EXTREME hotness (I’m not gonna lie...I actually prefer this version, sorry Minnie.) I’ve added the live version because Delilah is an actual goddess with the most spine-tinglingly amazing voice, and everyone should see this performance at least once in their lives. WARNING some of the lyrics are a bit NSFW...don’t say I didn’t warn you!

This song makes me emotional (*DISCLAIMER* most music makes me emotional) It reminds me of my friends who have either moved to different countries or who I’ve lost, so I always get a bit misty-eyed when I listen to it. If you like this version check out the acoustic version, which is equally as good

This is one of my all time favourite songs, and I also have this video to thank for my sexual awakening! I was maybe 11 years old when this song came out (pun intended) and I could NOT STOP looking at Helena Christensen....I still can’t stop....she’s soooo fucking hot! This is surely one of the sexiest pop videos ever made?

This remix of Midlake’s ‘Roscoe’ is so dreamy. Close your eyes and go on a journey. 

Don’t know about you, but I feel chill AF now...bye x

[aurallylikethatsong]

80′s Anthems

OK let me start by saying that I am in love with 80′s music of all varieties, so this is an era that will be re-visited MANY times over. If you’re confused as to why I’ve omitted a track, then fear not….I’ll probably get to it eventually. Today’s post is all about my ultimate anthems by female artists, and trust me when I say it was hard to whittle it down to these 5, but I had to be brutal!

FLASHDANCE….Fuck I love this song. It’s produced by Giorgio Moroder for starters, so you know it’s gonna be epic. Irene Cara has THE most amazing voice, and it’s one of the most uplifting songs around. Here’s the extended version for over 7mins of pure joy  *Confession* I’ve never actually seen the film ‘Flashdance’ (what sort of lesbian am I??)

Not only is this song an absolute belter, but the video is in the classic ‘mini feature film’ style that was so beloved in the 80′s. Impossible to sing along without clutching your fist in front of your face

You know a song is an anthem when people lose their shit at the very first note. I have adored this song since I was a kid, long before San Junipero gave it a much deserved resurgence. 

As if I’d do a post about 80′s anthems and not include a Whitney song….what sort of music blog do you take me for?

THE ULTIMATE! Not just one of the best 80′s anthems or Madonna songs, but one of THE best songs ever PERIOD (you can tell i’m serious from all the caps!) It doesn’t matter how cool or how much of a music snob you think you are….put this song on and EVERYBODY dances. I have proved this theory many times over.

[aurallylikethatsong]

Jolene - Dolly Parton

I’m dedicating today’s post to one of the best songs EVER (I will fight you over this if necessary). What’s not to love about Dolly in general? She’s a ridiculously talented singer, songwriter and musician. I’ve been lucky enough to see her live and she played 7 different instruments during one concert! Jolene is the ultimate Dolly song for me though. The guitar riff, the lyrics, Dolly’s vocals....the only bad thing about it is the fact it’s just 2.30 minutes long!

Gotta start off with Dolly belting it out live, wearing what is probably THE ugliest onesie on the planet (matches her eye make-up though)

Honestly never thought I’d post a Miley Cyrus video on this blog (not that I have anything personal against Miley, she’s just not really my cup of tea musically), but she has a set of pipes on her, and this cover is excellent. I honestly CANNOT believe that this video has had nearly 100 million more views than Dolly’s video though...WTF?!

I first heard this remix at the end of Todd Terje’s set at Glasgow’s infamous Sub Club (officially one of the greatest clubs on the planet...and that’s not just me being biased, it’s a well know fact!) It was a truly magical moment when a club full of ravers started having a singalong to it.

Jolene slowed down to 33rpm is a total trip and takes it to a whole new level.

[aurallylikethatsong]

Cloud Gazing

I don’t know about you guys but I like to be eased into the week, especially when I’ve had a heavy weekend and I’m feeling sorry for myself (don’t pity me, it’s totally self-inflicted). Today’s selection is what I like to call ‘cloud gazing’ music….songs that make you feel dreamy and all warm and fuzzy inside.

Christine Hoberg’s beautiful vocals over the top of twinkly melodies…doesn’t get much better than this.

One word……hypnotic.

I still get goosebumps whenever I hear this song. Great video as well.

I might have mentioned this before, but I’m a sucker for melancholic strings or piano in a song. Add Sohn’s amazing voice to the mix and you have a winning combination.

Ending with one of my absolute favourites ***DISCLAIMER - I have an abundance of ‘absolute favourites’ as I don’t feel like I should be limited to a top 10 or similar*** This does something to me. I think I leave this plane of existence and travel somewhere else whenever I listen to it.

Hope this starts your week of nicely.

[aurallylikethatsong]

90's Dance Classics

Friday = party time, so today’s post is dedicated to that wondrous genre ‘90′s dance classics’. I owned all of the following on CD single and played them so much that even my mum knew all the lyrics. I’ve managed to find all the original videos on youtube, because mid 90′s fashion is something to behold.

The thunderstorm/piano combination at the beginning let’s you know immediately what’s about to happen, and it’s true…..only love can set you free.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I wrote the lyrics out on a notepad so I could learn them by heart….not that they’re really that complicated or difficult to remember……*awkward silence*

One of the most recognisable opening bars in a song ever? Best/worst rap ever? Dancefloor destruction ensues. 

Ending with a forgotten classic. I rediscovered this a few years back and started playing the 12″ version in sets……it’s so fucking good! Any song that has lyrics about chasing rainbows will always be a winner with me.

HAPPY FRIDAY x

[aurallylikethatsong]

D.I.S.C.O

If Disco were a day of the week it would be a Friday! Nothing sets you up better for the weekend than a hefty dose of D.I.S.C.O. I think one of the things I love best about this genre is that it was a key influence on underground dance music culture, and without Disco there wouldn’t be electronic music as we know it today. If I could travel back in time to any point in history, I would love to be zapped straight onto the dancefloor of Paradise Garage or Studio 54....looking FABULOUS of course!

We might as well start as we mean to go on. First up we have hands down one of the greatest Disco tracks of all time. Patrick Cowley is often cited as being one of the pioneers of electronic music. His synth magic alongside Sylvester’s vocals make this a MONSTER of a track....plus it’s rammed full of cow-bell....what’s not to love?

Giorgio Moroder is another electronic music pioneer. His discography is immense to say the least, and I bet you know more of his songs than you realise. This is probably my ultimate of his though, because it’s got DONNA FUCKING SUMMER singing on it....nuff said!

This is one of my default ‘feel good’ songs. 100% unabashed campy goodness and a total gay anthem. It’s not as well known as the others, but people absolutely love it when I play it in clubs....I can usually be found singing along with it, and doing some sort of embarrassing dance.

I mean....if you don’t love ‘Young Hearts’ you’re dead inside right?? This remix takes Candi Staton’s original and makes it twice as long and twice as funky....this literally DESTROYS the dancefloor.

Now off you go and shake your shimmy into the weekend!

[aurallylikethatsong]

The art of sampling

Today’s post is a celebration of samples. Be it lyrical or musical, there’s nothing quite like a well used sample in a track. Some are obvious, but a great use of source material. Some are so subtle and clever that you spend the entire song trying to figure out where you know it from. Some are better than the original song....some are fucking terrible and murder the original! Here are a few of my favourites.

Whenever I play this track out, someone will always come and ask me it’s name. The sample is taken from (unsurprisingly) an Abba song called ‘If It Wasn't for the Nights’. Only the opening bars from the original track have been used, but it’s incredibly catchy...total sunshine music.

‘X-Girl’ samples the vocal from ‘Nobody's Supposed To Be Here’ by Deborah Cox. Personally I’m not a fan of the original, so for me this a perfect example of taking lyrics from a mediocre song and making it into something amazing. 

The first time I heard this I was scratching my head trying to figure out where I knew the lyrics from....I got there eventually. Brilliant sample from ‘My love’ by the old Trousersnake himself!

‘No’ samples a couple of lines from No Scrubs - TLC, and turns them into a slow building, hypnotic track.

Couldn’t do this post without giving a shout out to the late, great Whitney Houston. There are a bunch of songs out there with Whitney samples in them, but this one uses vocals from ‘It’s Not Right But It’s OK’ so brilliantly that it’s definitely one of the best.

[aurallylikethatsong]

Welcome to my music blog! I’m going to start proceedings with a post dedicated to Fleetwood Mac, and in particularly Stevie Nicks. I probably play a FM or Stevie remix in most of my sets because (a) there are so many amazing ones, and (b) I LOVE THEM. These are a few of my favourites. 

Above is what I’d describe as an intergalactic remix of ‘Edge of Seventeen’.....you’ll get why when you listen to it.

This Psychemagik edit of ‘Everywhere’ is definitely one of my ‘if all else fails’ songs....pure musical joy. You are dead inside if this doesn’t put a smile on your face!

The first time I heard this version of ‘Smile At You’ the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I am a sucker for melancholic piano and strings in a song, and this edit is insanely beautiful. It still gives me goosebumps when I listen to it, and has been a staple in my sets for many years.

I couldn’t do a Stevie post without ending on this. It is hands down one of my favourite live performances ever. There are so many things to love about this grainy, old video - the questionable 70′s special FX, John dressed like he’s going to paint his shed, Mick looking like he’s having root canal surgery/an orgasm, Lindsey’s iridescent satin kimono (which I REALLY want), but it’s Stevie’s performance that wins this video. It is pure unadulterated hotness, especially in the second half of the song when she loses her shit and starts rocking out. I could honestly talk about this performance for hours, and I’m sure half of the youtube views are probably mine. Please set aside the full 6.14mins to give it your undivided attention.