Nena's Playlist Playground: Sourdough Songs
I’ve been volunteering at RFF since 2012, a member of the merch team since 2013, and was looking forward to my first year as a team co-lead at the 2020 festival. I’ve made so many lifelong friends, have a delightful catalog of memories (most of which seem to include wild weather), and I end up spending my birthday at the festival more times than not.
These are a handful of my favourite songs, that don’t have much in common besides the fact that I like them all. I made this playlist while setting up a batch of sourdough, so perhaps they’ll liven up others’ quarantine baking routines.
“Ohio is for Lovers” by Lucy Wainwright Roche
Reason: I’ve been a fan of Rufus Wainwright since I was a kid and started to listen to his sisters a few years ago. This song on Lucy Wainwright Roche’s 2018 album Little Beast caught my eye because I initially thought it was a cover of one of my favourite Hawthorne Heights songs (Yes, I just called myself out as a former emo kid). Though it turned out to be its own song entirely, the haunting, heartbreaking vocals stuck with me and quickly became one of my faves by Lucy.
“Ladybird” by Mappe Of
Reason: This song just feels like a sunny summer day. It invokes a sense of whimsy and folksy magic with elements that layer and build upon each other until it reaches a beautiful crescendo that makes me smile every time this pops up on my playlist. I stumbled across this artist thanks to a Spotify recommendation and I’m hooked.
“The Unforgotten” by iskwē with Tanya Tagaq
Reason: Both Tanya Tagaq and iskwē are among my absolute favourites and have such an incredible stage presence. They both blew my mind during their recent performances at the RFF. Additionally, my kids LOVE this song after singing it at school, so it’s on a pretty steady rotation in our house.
“When I’m Over You” by LP
Reason: Who isn’t obsessed with LP right now, honestly? Her voice is perfection and her songs are honest and accessible. I could have chosen a dozen LP songs alone but chose this one from her 2018 album Heart to Mouth because of its absolutely dreamy vocals (I also adore the orange suit she wears on the album cover).
“Bluebird” by Pokey LaFarge
Reason: When Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three played the festival in 2012 they blew my mind and I’ve been a fan ever since. Dancing into the wee hours of the night when he played at the volunteer after party is one of my favourite birthday and festival memories. His new album Rock Bottom Rhapsody dropped in April and it’s sensational! A little more sophisticated, raw, and emotional than his earlier work, this album maintains that old timey jazz feel that I fell in love with and has quickly become my new favourite.