‘#5xTypical’ is a series of music based interviews with musicians by Karen van Gilst. What do musicians listen to? While cleaning, during sexy time or when working out? Do they have specific songs for specific moments? Or do they listen to music to influence their emotions?
"It was exactly what I needed at that moment. The waking-up-early-situation immediately felt lighter." - Helena Basilova (Piano)
The alarm goes off, it’s still dark outside and after a long night without a lot of sleep, I got to get up… This CD is my only salvation. It started in Japan. I stayed at a friends house when we played a couple of concerts there together. She had to get up early every day to rehearse with her orchestra and listened this CD during breakfast. It was exactly what I needed at that moment. The waking-up-early-situation immediately felt lighter. I still play the album when I’m having trouble waking up!
There is something magical about the simplicity of Mozart and this piano concert. The first time I listened to it I had to get home as soon as possible to listen to it again. Something about this piano concert gives me the feeling all will be ok. It’s comparable with the feeling you had when you where little and sat on your grandmothers lap. You knew there was nothing in the world that could touch you.
I’m a huge fan of Morton Feldman! His work is often long. Although some people think you can only listen to his music live, I’ve got trouble sitting still for a long period of time. So I rather play his work at home with the possibility to move around. Especially when my head is full of ideas and things I’ve still got to do, Feldman gives me the peace and quiet of mind and brings everything sort of together.
This is one of my favorite bands. When I lived in New York, I listened to them and Tribe Called Quest a lot. It’s wonderful to walk around the city while listening to this. And, the clip of the song is one of my favorites from the nineties. I still remember being glued to the television, waiting for this song to appear on MTV.
Not long ago I saw ‘Bodyguard’ once again, since then I’ve got the hits of Whitney Housten on my mind. She's simply awesome! Sometimes I listen to her in the train and get this ‘secret’ feeling. Like: ‘What if people new I was listening to this right now…’ :)
He immediately gave me a smile by adding Nightly of Donald Fagen to the top of his list.
It’s one of my favorites of my youth as well and I think many others. To be honest, it could almost be my own playlist. So I hope you enjoy this flashback and a new #5xtypical interview as much as I did.