DJ Jim Q's Playlist: Sanctuary

The first theme of 2023 is Sanctuary. Selected by the Sheffield chapter, this theme is a great one for music. The best music can evoke a virtual space in your mind. Listening to certain songs can transport me to another realm or time, conjure a vivid memory, and ignite my imagination. Music has always had a potent effect on my senses and emotions. At least for me, music provides an escape. And is particularly useful in a number of scenarios where escape is quite desirable.

I’m just starting to get back to the chaos that is daily public transit. After years of working from home, I seem to have forgotten, or more likely blocked out, what the commuting experience is like. For those who have also forgotten, it is total sensory overload. The disgruntled people shuffling like penguins on and off the metro, bumping into one another grunting and groaning as we reluctantly head towards our various destinations. The train itself has a vocabulary, the click and clang of the doors, the muffled messages being broadcasted through the inadequate overhead speakers, the screeching brakes and the ding dong of the alerts every few minutes. Our fellow passengers also contribute to this cacophony, some eschewing headphones to generously share their musical proclivities with the other riders. Some of the more important passengers have urgent phone calls that simply can not wait. These movers and shakers find themselves in an unsuccessful shouting competition with the relentless roar of the train as it rolls through the tunnels reverberating. However, this doesn’t seem to discourage them from trying, “What? I can’t hear you… no! I’m on the train.” The sensory experience is not limited to the auditory realm; the perfumes, the to-go meals being illicitly consumed and other mysterious fragrances are all fighting for olfactory dominance, it’s all so overwhelming if you think about it too long. That brings me to our theme. As all of this activity is happening around me I retreat into the sanctuary of music. I carefully plug in my headphones and increase the volume until the ambient chaos is but a soft murmur beneath my soundtrack. I close my eyes and recede into my own little sonic cocoon. The rest of the ride is bliss, ah… wait… what’s that awful smell?

Run for cover, give me shelter, safe and sound, the theme this month is sanctuary. This playlist will provide respite for the weary and refuge for the willing. Find comfort in these songs of safety, protection, and security. Angel Olsen takes us home, Dusty Springfield serves breakfast in bed, the Stones give us shelter and Ibibio Sound Machine protects us from evil. I invite you to seek safe harbor in this month’s soundtrack.

Thank you for listening this month. If you enjoy these playlists, I always love to hear from you. Give me a holler on Twitter and follow me on Spotify if you like. I will see you next month with a new playlist.