Artistic Taste – Priscilla Ahn

Priscilla Ahn‘s career trajectory is ever rising, so it’s a joy to have her as our latest feature on Artistic Taste. The classy songstress has toured with Ray LaMontagne, Josh Radin and several others, while she’s also played on The Tonight Show. Yet you’ve also heard her songs on Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Eli Stone and several feature films as well. In other words, she’s arrived. Here she tells us about her admiration for Joanna Newsom and Amos Lee and her adolescent addiction to Sparklehorse.

What is and album that you own that’s too painful or personal to hear on a regular basis?

Sparklehorse – Goodmorning Spider
This album got me through a lot of tough times in my teenage years. His songs gave me hope to keep going. It crushed me when he decided to not keep going. This music could never be background music for me.

What album is a favorite for the way it prominently features your instrument of choice?

Joanna Newsom – The Milk-Eyed Mender
I love the sound of the harp. I love how strongly it’s featured on this album. She’s so badass at the harp, that she can make a whole record around just it and her voice. I hope I get the chance to play a harp one day.

What album is an EP that you love like an LP?

Amos Lee – Amos Lee; Blake Mills – Live From Shangai
Amos’ EP is still one of my favorite records of his, and not just because I interned on it. It has my favorite version of “Colors” on there. It feels so genuine, and soulful. Blake Mills’s EP is super vibey. I can drive around and just get lost in it. It makes me feel calm. When it’s over, I feel better than how I felt before I started listening to it.

What is a greatest hits or live album that is your favorite work from the band in question?

Bob Marley – Songs Of Freedom
Disc 1 in particular. I find myself coming back to Disc 1 of this humongous catalog on a regular basis. Perfect for a summer day. And even if it’s not a summer day, it becomes a summer day when I put this on. The songs are such “classic”, mellow, sunny day songs. And his voice sounds so young!

What album is the funniest non-comedy album you own?
Which album has your favorite lyrics?

Benji Hughes – A Love Extreme
I can combine these two categories together: Benji Hughes’ A Love Extreme. Not all of his songs are funny. Some of them are so freakin’ poetic I don’t know what to do. But what I love about him is that in the next song, he doesn’t take himself seriously at all, and has lines that will make me laugh out loud. He’s one of my favorite lyricists.