New Age music is slowly gaining street cred again, as a new generation of musicians enters the stage. More and more young people discover the genre and the stigmas of the 1980s and 90s are long forgotten. This was apparent in The Guardian’s 2016 article “New age of new age music: ‘It used to just be for hippies and unassuming types“. Now The New York Times has a story called: “Chill Vibes, Minus the Wind Chimes: It’s a New Day for New Age Music“. Yes, our genre is officially cool again!
The article reads: “A genre known for cheesiness is thriving once again in Los Angeles, taking root on the label Leaving Records.
Nailah Hunter grew up in a household where magic was considered demonic, so her parents didn’t let her read the “Harry Potter” books. Her father was a pastor in the South Los Angeles neighborhood Ladera Heights and she sang at his church, and later wrote songs on acoustic guitar and performed in her high school’s choir. She also read fantasy novels and listened to Gary Stadler, a fanciful composer whose titles are filled with “fairy” or “faerie.” Last Friday, she released new music alongside fellow artists on the Los Angeles label Leaving Records who likewise create a distinctive version of new age music. It’s an often derided, and loosely defined, genre that’s been called out for its cheesiness and outmoded conventions (is that a wind chime tinkling in the distance?), but the Leaving roster offers an updated perception of what new age can be, and who makes it.”
Here is the music by Nailah Hunter:
Read the article in The New York Times.
The closing comment:
“Everyone is hurting in an obvious way right now,” Hunter said. “Everyone is scared and just wants to be held, so if there ever was a time for this to be received more widely, it would be now.”
– should inspire all New Age music artists out there to record and reach out on social and mainstream media.
Your time has come. Don’t let this opportunity pass.