#005 — Music sounds better with you
The carefree vibe of Los Angeles and its creative face, the most beautiful music studio in the world, cocktail recipes and lots of music.
Welcome back! How's your week going? This time, let's focus on music. The idea behind this issue stems from the song "We Are The World," specifically from the Netflix documentary about it, "The Greatest Night in Pop." Besides detailing one of the most beautiful songs in history, the documentary has sparked a wave of nostalgia and highlighted how much has changed in the music industry. On one hand, it's hard to imagine such a gathering of top-tier stars in one place, coming together to record a charity song overnight. On the other hand, the very definition of stardom has evolved significantly. And there's something more. "The Most Beautiful Night in Pop History" is a ticket to a journey back in time to the old Los Angeles, which harbors creative magic within itself.
It's precisely this magic that we aim to capture in this issue. All our recommendations revolve around music, allude to the beauty and unique atmosphere that's often hard to define but incredibly easy to feel. Below, you'll find behind-the-scenes insights into Tame Impala's sessions for the album "The Slow Rush," a summary of the most beautiful musical performances in Oscar history, an incredible glimpse into the home space of music producer Rick Rubin, arguably the most beautiful music studio in the world, and much, much more.
This is one of those issues where we transport ourselves to a world that we must conjure with our imagination, but oh, how amazing it is. We suggest you mix up a cocktail reminiscent of LA (recipes can be found here), disconnect from reality, and immerse yourself in a place where musical clubs and bars never close, people are always beautiful, and the problems of the next day simply don't exist.
Cheers 🍸
Our finds. Get inspired! 📀
✻ The 96th Oscars ceremony is behind us. What a magical night it was! Although films take the spotlight at this event, the history of the ceremony is filled with countless fantastic musical performances, and after all, this edition of the newsletter is all about music! Rolling Stone magazine has gathered 20 performances – according to their own criteria – in one place. One thing is certain, Ryan Gosling's performance of "I’m just Ken" should definitely be added to that list. What are your favorite performances from this year’s Oscars?
✻ On January 25, 1985, dozens of music legends gathered in a Los Angeles studio, setting aside their egos to record a song for African famine relief, ultimately reshaping the course of global pop culture. "The Greatest Night in Pop" chronicles this monumental effort to create the world's most impressive supergroup before the era of cell phones and email. Led by co-writers Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, along with two of the 20th century's most influential musicians, the group assembled artists from diverse backgrounds to record "We Are the World." Featuring previously unreleased footage, the film delves into the early planning stages, including creative sessions with Richie and Jackson, and offers a glimpse behind the scenes of the iconic Henson Studios where "We Are the World" was recorded. Artists who were present that legendary evening—Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis—along with musicians, engineers, and production crew, reminisce about one of the most memorable nights in music history. The documentary is available on Netflix.
✻ He's from Australia, his music brings to mind the vibe of Los Angeles, while the cover for his latest album was created in Africa. Tame Impala captivates with not just music but also with its visuals. In the 1910s, Kolmanskop was among the wealthiest towns in the world, boasting a casino, concert hall, bowling alleys, an ice factory, as well as a school and a hospital – a slice of luxury in the heart of the African desert. Today, it stands as a ghost town. Sand dunes have enveloped its buildings, wedging open peeling doors and filling rooms from floor to ceiling. It was here that Neil Krug conducted the photo shoot for "The Slow Rush."
✻ Is this the most beautiful music studio in the world? Quite possibly. France's Miraval Studios, recently reopened by Brad Pitt and Damian Quintard, includes an incredible vineyard and is inspired by some of the greatest music legends. It has hosted recordings by Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Sade, and Rammstein, among others.
✻ The Music Mecca of the 60s and 70s. They crafted music in unison, experimented with drugs, collaborated in bands, and shared intimate moments. Yet, the memories of the iconic figures from the Laurel Canyon scene, which flourished in Los Angeles during the late 1960s and early 1970s – such as Joni Mitchell, David Crosby, Linda Ronstadt, and many more – vary in their recollections. An Oral History of Laurel Canyon.
Ask anyone in America where the craziest people live and they’ll tell you California. Ask anyone in California where the craziest people live and they’ll say Los Angeles. Ask anyone in Los Angeles where the craziest people live and they’ll tell you Hollywood. Ask anyone in Hollywood where the craziest people live and they’ll say Laurel Canyon. And ask anyone in Laurel Canyon where the craziest people live and they’ll say Lookout Mountain. So I bought a house on Lookout Mountain.
– Joni Mitchell
✻ Are you curious about the design of the home of one of the world's leading music producers? Rick Rubin, who not long ago released a book titled "The Creative Act: A Way of Being," has worked with artists such as Kanye West, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, and Lady Gaga in the past. He is also a co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. Now, we have the chance to peek into his private space, which is as inspiring as his life. Intrigued?
As we're on this journey together, it would be an honor to hear what you think about our issues and about things that inspire you. Feel free to suggest topics or share stories you're interested in!
Please leave your honest opinion in the comment section, so we can improve!
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There was a lot of fun and passion in the making of this issue. Enjoy! 🍸