This is a special episode I like to call a “listening party” and the occasion is that I just released a new album called “Learning To Let Go.” And so, I’d like to play each of the 10 tracks for you and tell you a little bit about what inspired them and how they were made.
I wrote this album in a two week spurt after being let go from my job in 2023. Anyone who has been in that situation knows you go through a roller coaster of emotions. You feel hurt, frustrated, angry, and humiliated. Eventually you come to peace with your situation, try to make the best of it, and move on. I tried to capture this idea of going through all these emotions with this cycle of songs.
I’m super proud of this one. I think it’s the best music I’ve ever made. I hope you enjoy it!
So here we are. 2023 is ending and that means it’s time to share my favorite albums of the year. This completes my 8th year of doing this podcast and these end of the year wraps up are some of my favorite episodes to put together so I hope you enjoy it too.
Featuring music from: Caroline Rose, Gorillaz, Paramore, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Wilco, Meija, Chris Stapleton, Inhaler, Wye Oak, and Andy Shauf.
Best Songs of 2023 - Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0glnD4119jXxjk0O2pgabS?si=f8d29e7152b8433f
Best Albums of 2023 - Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4UZLfLHBH2y8NRozsbLrc2?si=c9ee79ea27ab4b39
I’d love to hear what your favorite albums for 2023 were. Go to my Facebook group for Making Music with Jake Haws and leave a comment so I can check them out.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, my production company, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase to license songs from our music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a course on podcasting. Visit archesaudio.com and use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
Christmas songs my family has recorded over the years:
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Coming Around.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by the band Low. My favorite song of theirs is “In Metal,” from their 2001 album, Things We Lost In The Fire. I love the different elements they chose for the arrangement, which really add to the atmosphere and give it that feeling of longing. Sadly, the singer of this song, Mimi Parker passed away last year after battling cancer. I was lucky to see them perform a few times and it was always a transcendent experience. She will be greatly missed.
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvS9ByKV2vY
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/coming-around-sad-indie-folk/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until July 2nd.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Wait For It.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by Ryan Adams, particularly “Kindness” from his 2011 album, Ashes & Fire.
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNgo-Z5UWXY
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/wait-for-it-mellow-folk-rock/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until June 11th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Someone Else.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by Elliott Smith, particularly his song “The Biggest Lie” from his 1995 self-titled album.
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPVysF1PfS4
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/someone-else-sad-folk-song/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until June 11th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “End Of My Rope.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by Spoon, particularly their song “Got Nuffin” from their 2010 album, Transference.
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PODpi8nl_pk
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/end-of-my-rope-experimental-indie-rock/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until June 4th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “I'm So Sorry That I Didn't Understand.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by the band, Bob Dylan, particularly his song "Tangled Up In Blue."
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qk6xmN0_fQ
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/im-so-sorry-folk-rock/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until June 4th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Heaven Help Us.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by the band, The War On Drugs, particularly their song "Red Eyes."
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwmWT-CODoo
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/heaven-help-us-retro-indie-rock/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until April 23rd.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Feeling Like A Ghost.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by the band, The Shins, particularly their song "Pink Bullets."
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u-ZigSg_Kg
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/feeling-like-a-ghost-melancholy-indie-folk/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until April 9th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Killing Time.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by the band, Wilco, particularly their song “California Stars.”
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYyA7Syb_xZgQ73sMU-rErg
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/killing-time-alt-country-folk-rock/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until March 5th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
In this episode, I break apart a song called, “Not Easy.” This comes from my album Starting Over released back in August of 2022.
This song is influenced by the band, The Weakerthans, particularly their song “Sun In An Empty Room.”
-- MUSIC VIDEO --
► https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnfRK8TDsi8
-- SPECIAL OFFERS --
This song is available to license for your projects like podcasts and videos. Find it at:
► https://archesaudio.com/shop/royalty-free-music/not-easy-mellow-indie-rock/
Use the promo code “songoftheweek” at checkout to get 50% off your purchase of this song until March 5th.
Also, for listeners of this podcast, Arches Audio is offering 10% off your purchase of the other songs in the music library, as well as any services, including audio editing, artwork, and a new course on podcasting.
► archesaudio.com
Use promo code “makingmusic” at checkout.
-- LISTEN TO THE ALBUM --
Apple ► https://tinyurl.com/4envhzuw
Spotify ► https://tinyurl.com/mtz7v8j7
Bandcamp ► https://tinyurl.com/3mv4webj
Soundcloud ► https://tinyurl.com/26k9bt63
Join me as I talk through and play the tracks on my new album, "Starting Over." It's about getting through dark times and finding light at the end of the tunnel.
Listen to the album on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and all the other streaming services.
If you are interested in licensing any of these songs for your podcast or video projects, I have instrumental versions of each of the songs available.
Here we are, another year now over and a new one about to begin. You know what that means, right? It’s the end of the year list time! Listen now for the top ten favorite albums of the year, along with some honorable mentions.
To listen to the songs from this episode on Spotify, visit: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/60S3Gq540DnpXeBOaCTRYa?si=34b3f6140ba4420a
For a Spotify playlist of all the full albums from this list, visit:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1pzvlO4HQg3TModjYcxa1H?si=e79c6939690849c4
For more Christmas music, visit: https://jakehaws.bandcamp.com/album/christmas-songs
Every year, I have a tradition of recording Christmas music with my family. Some years, we’ve only done one song and other years it’s been as many as five. This year we were able to do two song.
The first one is a techno version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Each of my 3 kids sang on it and I used the Auto-Tune plugin on their voices, which is the first time I've ever used it. This was a little out of my comfort zone with production style but it was fun to push myself to try new sounds.
The second song is a bossa nova style arrangement of "Feliz Navidad." I used a nylon string classical guitar that my wife bought for my birthday earlier this year. I also used a drum beat sample, a shaker, wood block, and bass. For the singing, everyone in my family traded off lines. We started oldest to youngest, so it began with my wife, Melissa (who is a month older then me), then I sang, then the rest of our 3 kids. Then, we all joined in together at the end.
