playlist.

There are many components that come into making a workspace comfortable. For me, music plays into the equation as much as a comfortable chair and good desk do.

Here are a few of the tunes I've been working to over the last few weeks - lots of light trance and mellow beats, singer-songwriters and what's a good playlist without a little Marley in the mix?

Enjoy.

playlist.

Happy Monday!

Okay, where did August go on us? I know everyone is asking this, but I truly feel that it was only yesterday that I was flipping over the next page in my calendar.

I know we technically have a few more weeks of this summer weather, and I'm planning to soak up as much of it as possible, with a good playlist blasting of course...

Here are a few of my favourite songs of summer. Some are brand new this season, like Avicii's addictive "Wake Me Up", but I'll always have a soft spot for classics like John Denver.

Enjoy.

playlist.

NXNE is a milestone in the classic Toronto summer. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was running around covering it. This year, NXNE is making me nostaligic.

I started reviewing concerts and albums for The Take Media during the summer of 2010. I trekked all over the city watching rock, indie, metal and pop shows and writing whatever I thought about the band, the performance and most importantly, the music.

Even though I've put my pen down as a music writer to pursue other projects, (although, I'll never say never if the opportunity comes up again), I'm finding myself drifting back into this world again.

I can't get enough of classic rock and new electronic music. I'm wearing clothing that my friends say makes me look like a roadie or disco queen. I'm inspired by the music, persona's and lifestyles of ages past that I want to tap into for a new dance project this fall.

Hey, just like Penny Lane said, "it's all happening."

With that, here's my refresher playlist of songs I'm loving when I come up for air out of my rock-heavy world. Think new Daft Punk, lounge beats and some oldies thrown in for good taste.

Enjoy.

playlist.

Hola April!

Although it doesn't feel like spring quite yet in Toronto (we woke up to freezing temperatures and a wild wind this morning), it's a'coming, I can feel it.

I'm planning to spend April cleansing my home, closet and refreshing my iTunes with some new music.

Since being back from Mexico, I've been listening to Spanish music non-stop. Everything from Paco de Lucia to Carlos Santana has been on repeat. Even Columbian singer Shakira has shook her way back into my music library.

I love how Latin music transcends genres, especially throughout the 2000's.

A perfect example is on Justin Timberlake's latest album, "The 20/20 Experience" which was released last week. His Latin-inspired track, "Let the Groove In"is a standout. Looking back at Nelly Furtado's album "Whoa Nelly!" from 2000,  she echoes Latin rhythms within her pop vocals and melodies throughout it.

There are some critics against music making crossovers, but I for one am all for it. Why not? Exposing ourselves to other cultures, rhythms and music is an incredible feat. I'm all for it.

This playlist is a hodge podge of my favourite music for spring - some Latin, some electronic, some folk. The works.

Happy April!

chase.

Currently at the top of my playlist this week - "Heartbeat (Chase and Status Remix" by Nneka. 

Enjoy! 

lennox.

One summer when I was growing up I worked relentlessly folding invoices, licking envelopes and stamping letters for my dad's business to save up enough money for the most coveted item of the time - an iPod mini.

After venturing to Target and laying down my dollar bills, I brought home my first MP3 player, and immediately started burning all my CD's on my computer and creating playlists.

This was also the first time I encountered the almighty iTunes, and was extremely fussy about what kind of music I wanted to buy.

I'll never forget the look on my dad's face when he asked me what song I wanted to download first. I'm sure he was expecting me to say something by Jessica Simpson or whatever pop start was hot at the moment.

Instead I asked to download "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics.

"Wow, how on earth do you know who Annie Lennox is?" asked Dad.

My love of music started early, and for as long as I could remember I loved the electronic beats of Annie Lennox. To this day, I'm constantly choreographing to her music or mixing it into a playlist for a night out.

The best moment? Seeing her perform at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony. She's an icon.

Here's the ever classic and my most favourite single by Eurythmics: