Traveling Music Recommendations
Music brings people together who may not have anything else in common besides love for an artist or a music scene. Since the dawn of time humans have been using music to connect with each other, and we are no different today.
Thanks to the advent of streaming services music is now more accessible than ever. This comes with tons of positives, but it has also led to the dilution of music and the lack of shared tastes. This does not mean music is not an amazing, magical thing; but I do believe it means that we need to make sure we still focus on appreciating music and sharing what we love with others. Personally I also think that the listening of complete albums as they were created and meant to be listened to is a taste that is fading away. This is an effort to recommend artists whose entire collection is worth listening to, front to back.
If you are interested in what we love to listen to on a regular basis we have linked to a few of our favorite Spotify playlists as well as given some specific artist and album recommendations. We would love to hear what your Fantasium soundtrack looks like as well - once you get to the bottom please shoot us a message!
These artists make up some of my favorite traveling music. Whether you are heading out on an epic road trip, striking out for some time in the wilderness, or hopping on a plane to a foreign land, these tunes are sure to strike a chord with you.
Lord Huron
My love affair with Lord Huron started in 2014. One of my friends recommended their new single Frozen Pines to me, and I was immediately hooked. I jumped at the first chance to see them in concert and was lucky enough to see them at First Ave on April 27, 2015. Leon Bridges opened for them and with about 50 other fans we jammed the night away. That was the beginning of the end for me. Since then I have listened to each of these albums hundreds, probably thousands of times, and they have literally been the soundtrack to my life since I started listening to them. Whether you’re looking jam out, groove a bit, or drive down a forested road in the middle of nowhere, I guarantee you the entire Lord Huron catalog will be the perfect musical accompaniment for your journeys.
Where to start: Anywhere - their collection is small, just listen through it!
Favorite songs: She Lit a Fire, Ends of the Earth, Time to Run, Brother, Meet Me In The Woods, Hurricane, The Yawning Grave, Frozen Pines, Cursed, Way Out There, Louisa, Ancient Names (Part I), Secret of Life, Moonbeam, Vide Noir, Emerald Star (yes, every song is my favorite - sorry ‘bout it)
Dispatch & Chadwick Stokes
Right behind Lord Huron, Dispatch and their frontman Chadwick Stokes are probably my favorite band of all time. Chadwick is one of the best songwriters of our generation, and the multi-faceted influences of Dispatch pair perfectly with his vision. Their debut album Silent Steeples contains powerful track after track, and still surprises me with new realizations every time I listen to it.
Where to start: Silent Steeples, Bang Bang, America: Location 12.
Favorite songs: Elias, Open Up, Past the Falls, Cover This, Two Coins, Painted Yellow Lines
Neil Young
Neil Young is absolutely the most well known artist on this list, but I just had to include him. I grew up with Neil Young in the background of my life, and his lyricism is relevant even today. He’s a legend - one of the few that are still with us. His ability to tell a story and craft melodies that draw on your emotions is unmatched, and his stand on political and social issues is something that’s more important than ever today.
Where to start: Decade, Harvest, Harvest Moon
Favorite songs: Like a Hurricane, Old Man, Heart of Gold, Down By The River, Out on the Weekend, Harvest Moon, Unknown Legend, One of These Days
Junip
Junip is the brainchild of acclaimed musician José Gonzales. Unlike José’s solo work, Junip’s tracks are backed by a full band that meshes beautifully with José’s unique voice. Each track moves along nicely, giving you the feeling of making your way from one place to another.
Where to start: Fields, Junip - These are their only two albums
Favorite songs: Line of Fire, So Clear, Your Life Your Call, Walking Lightly Rope & Summit, In Every Direction, Chickens, Turn To The Assassin
Real Estate
Close your eyes. Picture this - you’re in California, probably LA, riding on an old school cruiser bike. The sun is shining on your skin, the ocean breeze is in your hair, it’s the weekend, maybe you just had a beer. You’re feeling good. You’ve got pretty much zero cares in the world. That’s the way that Real Estate’s music makes you feel. They flow carelessly from one track to the next, stringing together groovy guitar riffs with Martin Courtney’s voice cooing lazily over the beach vibes that just emanate from the music.
Where to start: Atlas, Days - these two albums will get you in the mood. Once you’ve listened through, move onto the rest of their music.
Favorite songs: Green Aisles, Easy, Had to Hear, Talking Backwards, How Might I Live, Horizon, It’s Real
Allah-Las
We’ve all met those guys who are way too cool for us. Worn jean jacket, scuffed up vans, hair that hasn’t been washed in days but somehow looks far better than yours, cigarette nonchalantly hanging out of their mouth. That’s Allah-Las if they were a person. Beachy guitar riffs over perfectly tuned drums and a lead singer who sounds like he might have been resurrected from the 70s come together for an experience that will take you to a faraway place.
Where to start: Allah-Las, Lahs - Their oldest and newest albums (as of May 2020)
Favorite songs: Catamaran, Don’t You Forget It, Sacred Sands, No Voodoo, Vis-a-Vis, Keeping Dry, In The Air, Roco Ono
Rogue Valley
Rogue Valley is an artist that always surprises me at how relatively unknown they are. With their songwriting abilities and chosen genre, they have the talent and have produced material that should put them at folk legend status. Alas, that hasn’t been in the cards for them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve your attention. Their tunes make a great morning, night, or outdoor soundtrack.
Where to start: False Floors
Favorite songs: Shoulder to Shoulder Around the Fire, The Wolves and the Ravens, Orion, The Scattering Moon
Khraungbin
Kah…wrong…bin..? I don’t know how to pronounce it either, and frankly it doesn’t matter. These guys leaped on the scene in the past few years with their insanely groovy instrumental tracks, and if you don’t have them in your library, you’re missing out. Literally any occasion is a good one to throw on Khraungbin.
Where to start: Anywhere. Just play one of their albums straight through - don’t cheat yourself!
Favorite songs: All of them.
Hippo Campus
Hippo Campus are pop-rock legends hailing from the one and only Minneapolis, Minnesnowta. These guys became local stars when they exploded with their first EP, Bashful Creatures, and they haven’t looked back. They’ve gone on to amass massive popularity worldwide and create some wonderful summer soundtracks for your enjoyment.
Where to start: Bashful Creatures, Landmark
Favorite songs: Souls, Sophie So, Close to Gold, Dollar Bill, baseball, Vines, Western Kids, Vacation, Buttercup, Bambi