Asia Society Recommends: Quarantine Playlist Edition
Concerts from our archive and staff recommendations for what to play as you stay at home.
Along with games, puzzles, crosswords, and plenty of refreshments, music is an essential part of staying at home. We've mined the considerable Asia Society archives for past performances, and included a few staff recommendations for music that's making us happy right now. Enjoy!
As part of the landmark exhibition Iran Modern, we hosted acclaimed kamancheh player Kayhan Kalhor, accompanied on the bass santour by Ali Bahrami Fard. Here are some highlights from that performance.
In 2017, master qawwali singers Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawwal, and Brothers staged a triumphant concert. Here they sing "Dama Dam Mast Qalandar" during the Lahore Literary Festival.
During the 2017 Asia Game Changer Awards ceremony, members of the Aga Khan Musical Ensemble performed along with special guest Wu Man.
For Shanghai/New York: Future Histories, we hosted a performance of Dai Bo's contemporary chamber concerto "Space-Time Continuum Pro et Contra."
I’m really into anything with calming vibes right now, so Yaeji’s new mixtape album WHAT WE DREW 우리가 그려왔 has been on repeat for me. The Korean American producer, singer, and rapper is the ultimate queen of cool and the dreamy sounds and laid-back attitude of the tracks are a total mood booster in times of social distancing.
— Christine Hsieh, Senior Marketing Manager
I've recently become a big fan of BTS and even purchased tickets for their now-postponed U.S. tour, which was meant to begin this month. "Make It Right" is my favorite BTS song. I admire this group for their "Love Yourself" message and how they are changing the definition of masculinity in Asia and globally.
— Rexille Uy, Director of Programs, Asia Society Northern California
There have been many lives lost to COVID-19 in the musical community and one that hit me particularly hard was Adam Schlesinger, the bandleader of Fountains of Wayne and Ivy and one of the musical directors for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. An early casting coup for the series was a guest appearance by Lea Salonga, the Tony-winning Broadway and Disney actress. Here's her singing "One Indescribable Instant" from the first-season finale.
— Ami Li, Content Producer and Marketer
More of an at-home workout person than an at-home puzzle person? Get your heart rate up with this fun playlist of high BPM tracks from across the Desi diaspora!
Check back periodically for new recommendations from other members of our staff! Drop us a line on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with how you're staying cultured.