Music

Hope

Mitra, Maya Davis, Mallory

This playlist features songs meant to give a feeling of hope. The songs chosen are all recorded live as I believe live music brings people together. Since we cannot be with other people right now, I hope this playlist mimics the feeling of listening to music together.

Keep On Pushing

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

Music can help elicit hope and give individuals the strength to overcome even some of the toughest times. In light of recent events in the U.S. surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, this playlist was created to showcase music that helped to inspire hope during and beyond the era of the Civil Rights Movement.

Music Collaboration to Fight a Pandemic

Mitra, Maya Davis, Mallory

The pandemic has inspired artists to channel their emotions into new music. This playlist features songs released during quarantine and showcases artists that have come together to produce new music during this challenging time.

Not Like the Others

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

Some of our favorite songs throughout recent history that we find to be surprising or unique in their sounds, lyrics, or both!

Fab Collabs

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

A playlist that includes some of our personal favorites and some of the most widely known musical collaborations in recent history. These bops bring together music lovers from every genre—from classic rock to pop and EDM—with their innovative collaborations.

Walking on Sunshine

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

A brief history of songs that can remind us of sunshine and happiness. This playlist contains songs that bring us an all-around feeling of joy, that feel like sitting in the sun and help us relax and feel good about ourselves and the world around us. Listen well and feel well!

Electric Feel

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

A short history of one of the music genres that relies most on technology: electronic music. From the beginning of its creation as a separate genre in the 70’s, to all its current, modern variations.

Better Together

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

A playlist of songs that remind us of times communities have come together throughout history and songs that remind us of the feelings of belonging that come with being part of a community, whether that be a family, a friend group, or something larger.

Community

Julia, Lenning, Jamie

In partnership with Arts & Lectures, along with other local partners, the community program ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! brings free musical/dance performances and educational activities to students, at-risk youth, and families in Santa Barbara County. These groups play at venues such as Guadalupe City Hall and Isla Vista School. The goal of this program is to create access to the arts for all and represent the culture of the region. Some of the groups that have participated in the past include Los Utrera, Las Cafeteras, and Mariachi Ángeles with music based from places ranging from Veracruz, Mexico to East LA and more. These groups not only bring a community together but the music itself is made up of people with different backgrounds and stories coming together to create beautiful music that carries a sense of community in itself.

Isla Vista Born and Raised

Mitra, Maya Davis, Mallory

Isla Vista is brought together through music and our square mile community is filled with aspiring musicians who frequently play shows in houses and yards. This is one of the most special things about Isla Vista. The support we have seen for aspiring artists from the community is unlike anywhere else. This playlist consists of songs by artists and groups that formed in Isla Vista, many of which are currently students.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Jasmine, Maya Hahn, Violeta

In celebration of the music Arts & Lectures has brought to our community, this playlist features one of the most popular songs created in each year since A&L was first established in 1959, highlighting the changes in styles and music preference throughout the years.

Change!

Julia, Lenning, Jamie

This playlist includes music from Artists that Arts and Lectures has hosted in the 2019-2020 season, such as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Buddy Guy. Jazz based, this playlist has a soothing tone to it with touches of the blues and alternative sounds. As the world around us changes, the songs on this playlist attempt to engage the moods and emotions that change brings. This is reflected in the instrumentals as well as through the lyrics of the songs. The sounds of the saxophone, trumpet, piano, bass, guitar, etc. come together to build beautiful melodies. Other songs such as Pink Martini’s Hang On Little Tomato uses lyrics to connect with audiences, reminding them to hang on and look ahead:

“And so I hold on to his advice When change is hard and not so nice If you listen to your heart the whole night through Your sunny someday will come one day soon to you” Rosanne Cash’s I Want a Cure was particularly fitting; a sentiment that most are feeling

right now: “But nothing makes it go away I want a cure A mental, geographical cure A physical, chemical cure” The addition of live versions of songs allows the audience to reminisce about the experience of live concerts as well.

Change It Up w/ Tiktok

Mitra, Maya Davis, Mallory

With everyone’s lives being affected in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic, our current times are marked by change and uncertainty. For many people pulled out of school or work and stuck at home, TikTok has become a place of refuge. This social media platform provides a space for people to convene, share their creativity, and add some much needed comedic relief to these stressful times. This playlist is a compilation of some of the most iconic TikTok songs getting us through quarantine right now.