Most of us are locked in, all of us have lost the chance to socialise, to meet and drink and talk and eat and see music and work out and enjoy things outside the house. But music doesn’t have to stop and The Great Confinement has opened up a chance to explore at home, to dig up old favourites and find new pleasures.
In this series we ask: what music is making your life better? Today, wit, broadcaster, television host, baker and one of the nicest people on radio, Amanda Keller.
WHAT ALBUMS OR ARTISTS HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING SINCE BEING CONFINED TO HOME?
This lockdown has accompanied a massive hit of nostalgia for me. I have one son turning 18 and doing his HSC socially isolated, and another in his 2nd year of uni away from home and isolated in a uni dorm. I feel very keenly all the things they’re missing out on, and look back at how wonderful those years were for me, so I find myself gravitating towards the music of those days.
My first virginal year away from home at uni was filled with loud bar nights, but my true self loved the singalongs in the all-girl dorm to the likes of Jim Croce. I’ve been playing his stuff on Spotify I skip Leroy Brown but find myself getting weepy at Operator and I’ve Got A Name. Pathetic. I’ve listened to Style Council (my early flatting and formative dancing years) and Bob Seger, just because.
I made the mistake of listening to The Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces when we dropped my son off and I can’t even type the title of the song without tearing up!!!! So basically, I’ve been sobbing since lockdown began.
WHICH HAVE BEEN GETTING MULTIPLE SPINS?
My son has discovered John Mayer (he’s been finessing his songs on his guitar), and it’s reminded me how much I love him too!!! So I’ll often pop him on.
HOW HAS LOCKDOWN CHANGED THE WAY YOU CONSUME MUSIC?
Like many of us at this time, I’ve been baking like a demon, and my favourite thing in the world is to potter in the kitchen and listen to music. My husband, who loves good quality sound equipment, is horrified that I just play Spotify on my Google Home. I love a good ‘best of’ compilation. Not sure how useful the data is that Google collects on me, via requests for Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder, Richard Clapton, Dolly Parton, Little Richard, and the soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar.
WHAT ALBUM FROM YOUR PAST HAVE YOU REDISCOVERED? WHAT DO YOU STILL LOVE ABOUT IT?
I keep coming back to Hall and Oates’ Abandoned Luncheonette. And Elton John’s Madman Across the Water. Not sure why, but I get such pleasure from just opening my mouth and having all the lyrics spill out. Who knew I’d stored them in my brain somewhere all these years?
HAVE YOU FOUND NEW MUSIC – OR AN ARTIST OR GENRE - THAT WAS UNEXPECTED? WHAT’S EXCITED YOU ABOUT IT?
They’re not new, but I’ve just discovered the Teskey Brothers. They are the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday afternoon, friends over, making Tequila Mules, hoovering up a cheese plate. A beautiful dream I hope to live again soon!!!!
WHAT’S THE BEST MUSIC TO FLATTEN YOUR (ANXIETY) CURVE?
Yacht Rock!!!!!!!! A rich seam of Hall and Oates, Chris Rea, Christopher Cross, Doobie Brothers. I just ask my best friend Google Home to find a Yacht Rock playlist, I get out a cake recipe, and I’m happy.
Amanda Keller is co-host of Jonesy And Amanda on WSFM and host of The Living Room on Network 10.
Comments