LADYSSE Reflects On the Five Albums That Impacted Her Life
Five Albums That helped influence musician Ladysse.
Wow. Top 5… I have a terrible time picking a favorite anything, but a top 5 album list causes a level 8 hurricane brain for me, haha! I decided to go back and think about the albums that shaped my memories the most. The few that I wore out on car rides, burned onto CDs for my friends and made me think I was invincible enough to try out my own adventure as a musician. Here we go!
Sigur Ros – Takk
This may seem strange as a number one influence from a pop singer, but this is the album that taught me how to feel the music. It didn’t have to have words that I could connect with because it created its own world through each twinkle, horn or drum fill. When I was finally able to see this album played live, I think I just cried the entire time because it was so powerful. What Sigur Ros created is still a magic that has been unmatched by any other artist in my opinion. I wish I could thank them for this album because it taught me that music is way more than just a melody and some well thought out words.
Tegan and Sara – The Con
I remember the first time I heard this album and being blown away by how honest and real it felt. I feel like this album connected with so many people because it was dark and light, happy and sad, semi-chaotic and perfectly balanced all at the same time. I studied their lyric and melody patterns because they were so different from anything else I had heard at the time. I wanted to be able to write very obvious stories in a flowery art way like they did. I’m still in love with The Con and how it gave a voice to life, love, and the growing pains of youth.
Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American
I can’t express enough how much I loved this album! I’ve literally purchased it three times from having it stolen out of my car, losing it on a move and just completely wearing it out from listening to it so many times! This was the perfect album for anybody in any mood. I think that was what I wanted to replicate the most from that album, the ability to relate to anyone. Maybe because it was honest, maybe because I was listening to it at an age where my life was constantly confusing and changing. Maybe it was just because it’s a really good album.
Florence + the Machine – Lungs
I fell in love with this album instantly, everything about it was pure art and so perfect. This was the first time I had heard a modern pop singer use their voice so freely and haphazardly. I remember listening to Florence howling over a tribal drum beat while sparkly harps swooped in our of nowhere and just thinking that this is what magic sounds like. I learned you can “sing pretty” but still have blasting drums. Her artwork was so ethereal that it brought the whole idea of “Florence + the Machine” together. She wasn’t trying to be a classic pop star… she was clearly being herself and I was really inspired by that!
The Killers – Hot Fuss
I love The Killers, so it’s really hard for me to pick a favorite album by these boys but Hot Fuss started my love so here we go! This album holds so many memories for me! When I listen to it I am taken back to driving around the streets of San Francisco daydreaming about going on tour and what it would be like to play in front of lots of new faces. This album just made me feel like I could get out there and do it. Every time I hear the bridge, “ I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier”, with the choir coming in and that lady that hits the one high note (you know what I’m talking about) I get chills cause it feels so passionate! I love it. Still my “chin up, you’re doing great” album to this day.
LADYSSE
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