Do you have a favorite band, album or song that takes you to a different "place"? Like, no matter the stress, chaos or pressure you are under, you can listen to the music and it helps to relax you? For me, it's ODESZA. I am very aware for many of you that might be a very obscure band. You are probably asking yourself, "WHO?". Well, you're in luck, because I have shared their latest album below. :) When I was a classroom teacher, my kids used to call ODESZA's music "lighthouse music". As they would have time to work in class, I would play ODESZA, and we would watch the St. Joseph lighthouse webcam. (Unfortunately, that webcam is gone, but here is the "new" one we watch in the Stewart office: https://www.earthcam.com/usa/michigan/stjoseph/lakemichigan/?cam=lakemichiganbeach). This was always so relaxing and enjoyable for my students. They would decompress, take some time to focus and find some peace during the day. They would always request "lighthouse music" during any quiet or work time. ODESZA plays a lot of festivals, and (believe it or not), festivals are not really my thing. When they went on tour last summer, I got so excited, because there were a number of tour dates that were actually like concerts, not multi-day events. I went to see them in Indy last April with some friends, but I also had the opportunity to see them in Grand Rapids in August. I had just moved here and none of my friends from back home were able to go with me. It was the first time I ever went to a concert by myself. It was sort of an overwhelming experience, but something about this music makes me feel at ease. After, I was "proud" of myself for venturing out on my own to do something I really enjoyed. I listen to ODESZA a lot-- when I go to the beach, when I am working in my office, when I am cleaning my house, and even on long road trips. But there is a specific reason I am writing about ODESZA today. There have been times in the last few weeks that I have felt very overwhelmed, very uneasy and very stressed. In almost every one of those moments, I found myself listening to this music. It allows me to take a second to calm myself and breathe. It has become my "lighthouse music". Their latest album is called "A Moment Apart". It seems fitting, as I can think of so many moments that have been set apart by this music. It reminds me of warm, sunny days at Klock Park, enjoying my favorite place in the world. It reminds me of taking risks and doing things independently, like going to that concert in Grand Rapids. I think of the time I spent with my third and fourth graders at Kendall Elementary and Frances Slocum Elementary. I hear the kiddos humming along and see them watching the waves in front of the lighthouse. These are moments that have been set apart, because they are moments that have given me joy. Maybe ODESZA isn't quite your style. That's ok! I hope you have some music that can set moments apart for you. Have a great, restful weekend!
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