Seasonal Saturdays Event Box: Musical Accompaniment

Fall 2021

About the Playlist:

Autumn really is the most wonderful time of the year. Don’t let Andy Williams and  all the other Christmas crooners fool you. There is a certain magic that emanates when  the air cools down and the vibrant summer colors of green and blue fade into a  marvelous palette of reds, oranges, and golds. When the trees shed their summer  blooms and stand naked against the sky, giving us the gift of autumn-leaf-blankets to  decorate the ground around us. I never feel better than when I can dress in my favorite  jeans and sweater, stroll outside underneath the south Minneapolis sun, slowly breathe  in the fresh cool air, and just take in the moment. Sweet relief from the summer’s heat  and also a bit of a comforting hug— reminding us to bask in these moments and enjoy  the here and the now, before winter’s icy grasp reaches for us just around the corner.  One of my favorite things to do in the autumn months is to hop into my car (well, giant  tour van) and drive. It’s doesn’t matter where, usually. Just away. Away from my  everyday and into the unknown- where small towns, foreign cities, farm fields, and  miles of colorful trees fill my heart and my eyes with joy.  

Autumn is the perfect time for adventure. I made this playlist for you to enjoy as  your soundtrack to whatever that adventure may be— a neighborhood stroll, an  afternoon of baking, or raking, or pulling out your favorite spooky items for your  upcoming All Hallows Eve celebration, or perhaps a long drive to who-knows-where.  All of these tunes make me feel those waves of autumn change. And I’m sure it will  come as no surprise that there is a healthy mix of gorgeous string arrangements, Rock  & Roll, and Americana vibes.  

Andrew Bird “Pulaski at Night”

Starting off our Autumn Adventure is Andrew Bird’s, “Pulaski at Night.” Not only  because it’s one of my favorite tunes by one of my favorite artists, but because it  makes me feel a sense of adventure when I hear it. I can picture myself walking around  the city of Chicago, admiring the city lights in the darkness. Plus, I can’t start this party without some major violin heavy sounds. It just wouldn’t be right. (For those of you who  don’t know me, I am violinist and those sweet sounds are the first love of my life.)

Smashing Pumpkins “1979”

Next, we have Smashing Pumpkins, “1979.” This song has always given me a fall vibe. Maybe it’s because I always use to watch MTV every morning before going to school (back in the days when they played music videos 24/7). I can just picture my childhood self rolling down the hills of my school yard, listening to this song, trying to emulate the  music video.

Humbird “Pharmakon” & Vicky Emerson “Good Enough”

I couldn’t make an Autumn playlist without including the songs of my friends Humbird (“Pharmakon”) and Vicky Emerson (“Good Enough”). Every single song on this playlist is something I want to listen to while out an a walking or driving  adventure to who-knows-where. These two tunes, especially, are staples in my listening library and I love to sing along with them, no matter what I’m doing.

Jeremy Messersmith “Organ Donor”

Then, we have Jeremy Messersmith’s “Organ Donor.” When I think, “Hmmm, what are my  favorite tunes by local artist that give me the autumn feelings?” Jeremy’s entire record, The Reluctant Graveyard, sits at the top of my brain. “Organ Donor” is one of my personal favorites, with a spooky story and luscious string parts to go along with it. 

The Nunnery “Moonfire”

“Moonfire” by local Minneapolis darling The Nunnery puts me right in adventure-mode. Her loops and soft, sweet vocals are mesmerizing, and this tune paints so many  pictures in my head when I hear it — a long, winding drive; a late night star-gazing session, exploring unknown territory…this song gives us endless possibilities.

David Bowie “Changes”

Next, I  threw in David Bowie’s “Changes” to snap us out of the previous track’s trance and bring us right back into our present-autumn-moment. What is Autumn, if not a season of Changes?

Big Star “In The Street”

Big Star’s “In The Street” is one of the ultimate driving songs. No matter where your head is at, it’s going to wake you up a little bit, maybe even add a few extra miles to the speedometer, and you will most definitely be singing along by the time that last chorus rolls around.

The CardiganS “Iron Man”

After this little burst of energy, I wanted to sprinkle some magic dust onto our playlist vibe and introduce one of my favorite cover songs ever recorded—The Cardigans’s version of Black Sabbath’s, “Iron Man.” This is the most etherial version of a classic rocker tune that I’ve ever laid my ears on. I know for sure I’ve spent time laying outside in the grass, soaking up the fall air and afternoon sun and just spacing out to this tune.

Sarah Morris “Helium”

Next we have a song that I just adore called, “Helium,” by local country artist (and cherished friend) Sarah Morris. If you know me, you know I love a good waltz (something that doesn’t happen as often as I’d like in modern, mainstream music). Sarah is such a lovely and powerful wordsmith. Her lyrics just float over this waltz in a way that will make your body sway too and fro, and make you wonder why on earth you are craving a moonlit stroll and cotton candy.

Elton John “Mellow”

Closing out our Autumn Adventure is “Mellow,” by the one and only Elton John. Not only is this one of my favorite songs of all time, from one of my favorite records of all time (Honky Chateau), this song features one of the coolest violin solos ever recorded in modern mainstream music history, that no one actually knows is a violin solo. (This is a fact! Well, it’s my very strong and honest opinion, so close enough.) First of all, the song title says it all. This is honest and pure mellow-vibes, with that little burst of Elton John piano phenom energy. Then, we have this wicked “organ solo” that comes in after the second chorus. Only, it’s not an organ solo at all. It’s Jean-Luc Ponty wailing on the violin, playing out of who-knows-what effect pedals and (what sounds to me like) a Leslie speaker cabinet. (Fellow music nerds: Now that you hear it, you can’t un-hear it, right?) I thought this would be a perfect way to bookend this playlist— start with a violin-centric song, and end with a violin-centric song. BUT NO! Sorry. I just felt too jazzed up after, “Mellow.” I feel more like I needed to run a marathon and scream about how ridiculously cool Jean-Luc Ponty is, instead of the sincere mellow-vibes I wanted to leave you all with at the end of our Autumn Adventure journey.

Bathtub Cig “Sepia”

So lastly, I snuck in a tune by another talented local music friend — “Sepia,” by Bathtub Cig (or some of you might know her as Hilary James, cellist for We Are The Willows). Hilary’s sweet layered vocals, lyrics, and etherial Travis-picked electric guitar brings us right back down to reality. A perfect outro, to a perfect playlist, in a perfect season, for a perfect music lover (that’s you!). Thank you for listening.

About Jillian Rae:

Lauded as a “triple threat on vocals, fiddle and composition” (Star Tribune), Jillian Rae is a fiercely unique spirit who cares more about making authentic music than about fitting into a tidy box. The Minneapolis-based, classically trained violinist turned country fiddler has become a commanding international  presence--writing powerful genre-bending songs, heading up her own critically  acclaimed rock/pop band and backing up Grammy-winning acts like The Okee Dokee Brothers. Although she got her start playing with folk and country bands,  

Rae’s latest album I Can’t Be the One You Want Me to Be (2019) took a decided  turn into pop and rock with unflinching, hard-hitting songs. It also showcased  her orchestration abilities with layered violin tracks saturated in heavy grooves  and moody arrangements. The album’s final track “Wayward One” was featured  prominently in the hit Chinese film The White Storm 2 and has catapulted her  into near stardom in China. Rae is also an in-demand producer and session player, known for her soaring pop orchestrations and fiddle parts. She is currently working on a new album.