Double Dose

Its been 6 months now that I've keep up my monthly '6 free running songs' post. So to celebrate this milestone this post is a list of more free songs from artists that have appeared on those posts. So if there was something you liked, maybe they'll be something here you like.

As usual the song title appears first and clicking on it will download the song from Epitonic.  Next the band name links to the Epitonic page about the band.  Then there's the BPM of each song, all are around 90 BPM which works for a 180 SPM run.  And finally just a word about the genre, which links to all my blog posts with this genre.

• Palace Chalice by Mux Mool 87 BPM electronic
• As Far As I Can See by Phantogram  90 BPM  electronic
• Load You Eyes or Load You Eyes (Star Slinger Remix) by I Break Horses both 88 BPM indie
• Lost Flight by KRAPP 91BPM electronic
• In The Middle (I Met You There) by Matthew Dear 90 BPM electronic
• I'm Aware by Clinic 88 BPM  indie
• Expecting An Answer by The Verna Cannon 91 BPM folk
• Beth/Rest (Solo Piano Version) by Bon Iver 90 BPM folk

Why not have a look at the other free download posts click here.

Evolved

Röyksopp are from Norway.  I love Norway.  Well I have never actually been there, but if the opportunity can up I'd move there for ever after. I'm a bit impulsive like that, especially about moving countries. I've always had a thing for Norway, but what really made me love Norway in a concrete way was the reaction that followed the horrific attack last July by Anders Behring Breivik.  He was hoping that his violence would result in a crack down on immigration and a sharp turn to the right.  BUT the reaction of the prime minister Jens Stoltenberg was that what Norway needed was "more democracy, more openness, but not naivety".  It seemed his people were behind him on this.  This was in such stark contrast to the reaction in the US following the 2011 terrorist attack there, and the (for me) sickening street celebrations that broke out all over the US after the announcement of Bin Laden's death.  I wish I was Norwegian.   I wish we were all Norwegian.


OK so back to the music. This track Vision One by Röyksopp features Norwegian singer Anneli Drecker.  I just love the squeaky sound in this song. It tickles!  The BPM is 92, so a bit fast, but still works for a 180 SPM run.  

6 Free Running Songs for May 2012

Time for another 6 free running songs post.  As usual all songs are available on Epitonic for free and legal download.  To download the song, click on the name of the song.  The band name links to the Epitonic page about the band.  They all are close to 90 BPM so work for a 180 SPM (strides per minute) run.  

The end of this month I am moving out of the apartment that I lived in with future ex-husband for over 6 years.  Its the longest I have ever lived in one place. Although we've been living apart since Christmas, this move, into an apartment I am buying, feels really definitive. Its the right thing to do, but it still leaves me feeling sad and a bit lost.  The songs this month sort of reflect this, they are a bit melancholic but soothing, that's where I am at.


Oh and everything this month is American.  I like to have things be a bit more international, but somehow that didn't work out this month.


Sea of Miss by Nate Ashley 89 BPM
Dreamy indie folk from pacific north-westerner Nate Ashley.  The download is just over 2mins long and at first I thought the free download version was cut off, but the one on sale at Amazon is the same length.  This song sounds slow and chilled but don't be fooled the tempo is perfect for running. 

Towers by Bon Iver 92 BPM
Again Indie folk.  According to last.fm, Bon Iver is a play on the French phrase 'bon hiver' meaning good winter.

Blue Escape by Willis Earl Beal 88 BPM

This falls under blues, not a genre I am a usual fan of.  Somehow this track works for me anyway.  Willis has a raspy voice and the sound is quite minimal.  There is some kind of back story of him being homeless while he wrote or maybe even recorded this album, the release of which sort of propelled him into the limelight. The lyrics are quite poetic.

Exit the Mine by Baths 89 BPM

Lo-fi indie pop.  A sweet, but a little repetitive, tune from Los Angelian Baths.

Sick Days by Yourself and the Air  91 BPM

Indie pop again.  Yourself and the Air are from Chicago.

Mirando by RATATAT 89 BPM

Taking it up a notch or two, Ratatat can't quite decide if they are indie-rock or electronic. There are no vocals, but this track stays interesting over its not quite 4 minutes.  It has high energy sound that'll put you in the mood for a run. Ratatat are from Brooklyn. 

I Know I Was Born

After what feels like weeks of endless rain today it is sunny and warm, almost summer time weather.  So to celebrate here's a hot track from Crystal Fighters, In The Summer.  Crystal Fighters are from Spain and they're my first Spanish band on the blog and also in life. What's weird is that my parents live in Spain, as for while did my hip little brother and his hip wife, so I really should know some cool stuff from Spain.

I'm getting the BPM to be 90 using tap for BPM, so this is perfect song to get some 180 SPM summer runs in.  Time to enjoy the summer!

Life Is Too Short to Be Unhappy

I heard this song on the radio a long time ago and it summed up so accurately how I was feeling about my relationship at that time that it stuck in my head. I tried to track it down, but couldn't remember the lyrics exactly enough to google them, and didn't know the title or artist.  Then a week or so ago I was browsing on jog.fm looking for good songs, when I came across That Old Pair of Jeans by Fatboy Slim.  I don't listen to Fatboy Slim in an active way, but have always really liked stuff of his I heard, so I decided to listen to the track. And viola! the song I had been looking for for so long.

Its exactly 90 BPM so perfect for a 180 SPM (strides per minute) run.  Also after watching this video about 30 times I am wondering if hula hooping could be a good cross training workout?    Looks like it works the core and overall stability.  I am dying to try it!  I wonder if there's an optimal SPM (spins per minute) for that?

Open Your Eyes

Electrify by the Beastie Boys.  BPM of the original version is 90, this mix comes in just a bit below that, 88 or so.  Great track and beautiful video. RIP Adam Yauch.


El7

Catch-up April 2012

Here is the catch-up list for March on Spotify, Run To The Beat April 2012 180BPM. 

My absolute favourite of last month is the track Beautiful by Monocular. I've been listening to it, and the whole album, Somewhere on the Line, so much that I am already a Monocular top listener on last.fm!