SANDY GARNETT ART BLOG

I recently pick up Mike Andrews Hand on a String, which is a pretty album done almost entirely by Mr. Andrews, a creator after my own heart in that way (there are several credits but few).  Mr. Andrews composed music for the cult hit Donnie Darko and Freaks and Geeks.  This fresh debut album reflects a quiet inner world filled with lingering moments of beauty in time with poignant pangs of hazy nostalgia.  His music meanders the way one’s mind works, the inner tickings of the clock in his vision wending their ways out; I am reminded of perfect sketches… the creative process, how one arrives at a song, these signals embedded like tapestries in my favorite passages like a puzzle.  There is a pairing of inner narrative as a melody will wind itself around elegant longing, a confluence of emotion and technical precision.  Mr. Andrews makes with a quiet and settling poetic power that cannot often be seen in today’s mosh pit of the contemporary music market.  To say that Mr. Andrews is under the radar in this respect would be an understatement; he is positively subterranean, or perhaps not of this planet, and herein lies a uniqueness that makes me a fan.

Several months later my arguments remain the same.  This gentleman’s best sound is a recipe for the serious art maker wanting to spin his thoughts to the next level.  Mr. Andrews music is built for the crafting intellect, and ought to be marked in time as one of the few to watch in this rarified market of intelligent music. 

A recent massive spread in the NYT Magazine by Darcy Frey on Katell Keineg exposed me to this talented singer songwriter.  Ms. Keineg’s work can be heard at  www.katellkeineg.com, and as of today her songs are available at  itunes.  A decade ago she was primed to be the next it girl, the week after she signed her label went upside down unexpectedly and since she’s been struggling to make her music independently.  Ms. Keineg has been through the music industry ringer, but noone can take her vibe away in songs like Partisan and Franklin.  Although the production bridges occasionally temper Ms. Keineg’s range unnecessarily her beautiful voice and lyrics make me want to paint.   Katell Keineg is a unique talent, it was long that I found her and she should be supported by we art and music lovers.  The words you twist with melody I will paint to Katell. 

I was in Vermont with friends when I encountered the music of Ray LaMontagne apres ski, whose Trouble sat me down again.  We listened to Mr. Montagne over the course of an evening in varying states of fireside, conversation, play and a drink.  I have been listening to this songwriter since.  I saw The Devil Wears Prada yesterday, and Mr. Montagne’s How Come is suddenly his biggest itune hit go figure.  I’ve got other favorites aside from this old school Mason redux, but any attention paid to Mr. Montagne is good enough for me as I just want his songs to pay his way and help him write more.  I paint to you Ray, well done.