Songkick

So I’m gonna try a new type of post, where I’ll write about artists I’m really digging who happen to be on tour, and who I JUST DISCOVERED are on tour, the very minute before I write the post. (Perhaps this occasion is interesting to no one other than me.) Running a live music site has made me totally cocky — I think I have my finger on the pulse of every worthy artist on the road and when people try to tell me so-and-so is on tour, I immediately make that snoring sound in my brain because, duh, I already knew that.

Every once in a while I’ll discover (or rediscover) a band or singer who totally knocks my socks off (all over again), and I’ll check our own site and be like, “WOAH. They’re on tour!” That moment of discovery reminds me of the selfish purpose Songkick served in the first place. We wanted a site that would aggregate all the concert info in one place and make it really easy to find. It can be easy to forget that as you’re arguing whether to make something a button or a link in the day-to-day.

My ex-boyfriend introduced me to Stevie Wonder. He’s really knowledgeable about the good old classics,and has a really anal connoisseur’s knowledge–this album recorded in that studio, with this equipment, produced by this guy, during that era of the musician’s life, which was annoying and impressive at the same time. Stevie Wonder’s Songs in they Key of Life is one of his desert island discs. When I learned that, I was like, “What? The blind guy with cheesy beads in his braids who plays on Sesame Street?” See, I’m naive and uneducated, and have a total dilettante’s depth of knowledge. I like what I like and sometimes I get obsessed and find out more and sometimes I don’t.

Well, yes, Stevie Wonder is the smiley guy with braids. But his songs have a sheer exuberance and generosity that shame me for every meager and ungrateful thought I’ve ever had. I’ve been listening to my iTunes on shuffle all day, when he came along, I didn’t even recognize who sang the song (again: ignorant dilettante), but I thought, “WOAH this song is amazing. Who is this?” Lo and behold, it was Stevie. Next thought: “Beads, braids, is he still alive?” (You would like a stream of consciousness of my every day, wouldn’t you?)

Not only still alive, but touring my friends. Sadly, not coming to London, but those of you in America are lucky. See his tour dates.

Stevie Wonder – I Was Made to Love Her (mp3)
Stevie Wonder – Joy (Takes Over Me) (mp3)