2011 played host to some amazing festivals, gigs, album releases and musical triumphs.
Sufjan Stevens at the Olympia Theatre
Back in the day every Irish home had a parlour-the best room in the house where the fancy delph and sweet cakes were laid on to entertain that extra special guest.
Last May Sufjan transformed the Olympia Theatre into his own parlour for the night. A two and a half hour extravaganza, he not only played tracks from his Age Of Adz record- he spoke about every song in detail. Describing his inspirations and compositions he explained and shared his creation. Did you know the album is about the end of the world and not a bad break up? (I for one imagined this to be the case) and that the album began as a musical experiment-the lyrics came second. Rather than hear such details from an interview or read it on Wikipedia we heard it direct from the man himself. Magical.
Girls – Vomit
Christopher Owens could be described as one giant cliché. Born into the Children of God cult, as a child he was moved around from country to continent. Tragically his brother died from pneumonia when his mother refused him medical treatment on religious grounds. Despite his traumatic past his most heartfelt lyrics are about good old-fashioned L.O.V.E. Vomit chronicles a volatile relationship that Christopher found himself entangled in. Inspired by the biblical verse about a dog returning to its own vomit, he would return to this unhealthy love, desperate for her attention. Ironically it’s impossible to not form a toxic relationship with this song. It makes you sad every time you hear it, reminding the listener of things that could have been and what almost was. Borrowing the words of Jens Leckman (talking about something else but his words describe this beautifully) its ‘rainy and sad like a night that promised more than it could hold ‘. I don’t think Christopher could have said it better himself.
Toby Kaar and Nicolas Jaar rock Body and Soul
The perfect festival is just like preparing a cocktail. Start with the right ingredients and hopefully with the correct quantity, mixing, and blend it comes together beautifully. The last day of Body and Soul was exactly that-we danced along to a giddy Toby Karr while washing down fresh mojitos. Come nightfall Nicolas Jaar’s neon stage lights provided the perfect backdrop to his Space is Only Noise masterpiece. The forest was lit up by this aura, the glowing trees framing the makeshift stage. Maybe it was the sugar (or let’s face it the rum) but no one wanted to be anywhere but under the moon in those bewitching woods. Smiles all round.
MMOTHS comes of age
MMOTHS (or Moths) aka Jack Colleran is so multi dimensional he is a reverse super bug. You could describe him as the Benjamin Button of the music world as despite only being a teenager he has had a triumphant 2011. Whether it’s producing, performing and or taking photographs he makes it look like child’s play. In 2011 Moths sat his Leaving Cert, absorbed the crowd at the Electric Picnic and not just supported Star Slinger in November but surpassed him. His Bon Iver Babys remix will make you want to hibernate in a onesie and eat cereal out of the box all day. Electronic youth has never looked so exciting.
Yes, I do like Night Bus mix
There are few things in life that make essential reading. The aforementioned Jens Leckman’s blog never fails to lead me to a quote, link or thought that excites me. Jens referenced a track from Yes, I do like Night Bus-and like all things Jens it led me to something exquisite and wonderful. Taken from the StayGlued website it’s simply a dub-step tour de force. Remember if you ever want to impress ANYONE make them a mix tape (a CD just wont cut the musical mustard) and whoever made this mix never, ever sleeps alone. Night Bus is so positive, enlightening and confident it’s the best self-help book I’ve read this year.
Amy Winehouse ‘Don’t Go to Strangers’ -Jools Holland
Unfortunately news of Amy Winehouse’s death surprised few. Despite her brilliance all we can visualise from the last few years were her bloody ballet slippers, hillbilly teeth and her Blaaaaakey. A few days following her passing Jools Holland screened this 2006 video that reminded us of her once staggering voice, charm and spirit. Although she shared the stage with Paul Weller and despite the fact she was singing an Etta James cover, Wino out blused the best and made it an Amy extravaganza. We had a glimpse back in time at how wonderful she had once been. The most fitting way to remember a fallen genius.
SBTRKT Essential Mix
There are hours of endless fun to be had reading those argumentative comments on YouTube- those stupid debates about what genre a song happens to belong to. Someone who understands that music has no borders is Aaron Jerome. SBTRKT has given us one of the top albums of the year – genres, styles and tones are mixed and kissed together gracefully. But if you take the time to backtrack and examine his influences you will be generously rewarded. In October Radio 1’s SBTRKT Essential mix was broadcast, giving us a bite of his musical highlights. Ever thought Masters at Work could serve alongside Tine Tempah, or Radiohead with Rustie? These tracks don’t just stand arms around each other-they literally hug it out. This Essential Mix is not just a journey –it’s the best road trip you will ever take.
Def Disco at The Electric Picnic
When an act is billed as a special guest it’s sometimes hidden speak for ‘who can we convince to fill this slot’. While on route to the Body and Soul main stage on the final night we literally stumbled on the ruckus kicking off at the Earth Stage -and on investigation we discovered a Marie Celeste style mash up. Gaga from sleep deprivation, what we needed was some unscheduled chaos and Mr O’ Leary manned up and did what had to be done. Delivering the soundtrack to some skitty laughs and bedazzling prancing, we did not know at the time who he was- nor did we care. Had the horsemen of the apocalypse made an appearance we just might have greeted them with a collective Mexican wave (Although they were seen the next morning as we were trying to make our way home). The divilment that night was like the miracle of the loaves and fishes – somehow we never ran out. The Best of times indeed
Ryan Gosling is soundtrack gold
One of the movies and soundtracks of the year, Drive is filled with grit, clout and vision. This film has rejuvenated soundtracks as well as bomber jackets -and gave us the best kissing scene since From Here to Eternity. Drive made heroes of us all. Another example of the O’l Gosling Gold is the Blue Valentine soundtrack- because of if Drive is an illness then Blue Valentine is the antidote. Dean and Cindy’s signature song Penny and the Quarters ‘You and Me ‘ is still as pure, sweet and unpretentious as when it was first heard in the 1970’s. If you thought ‘Under My Spell’ was enough to send you into an emotional tailspin then Penny the Quarters will have you hoarding the Galaxy Carmels. You don’t just hear the sound of vinyl crackling; you are listening to millions of hearts creaking. Maybe it’s not those blue eyes that has launched a million and one blogs –it’s the acoustics that surround him.
The Tallest Man On Earth performs ‘Thrown Right At Me’
Ah Primavera Sound 2011. We (just about) survived what Barcelona had to throw at us and just as we were wondering how we would pull it together for the day TTMOE was our savior. Accompanied for his last song by his good wife they left us in no doubt that these kids hearts are only in tune with one another. Their hot dang rendition of ‘Thrown Right At Me’ is liqurishly sweet, cute as a candy cane, butter melting good. How they sang and looked at each other was ethereal, intense and maddeningly adorable. You can’t bottle this, or explain it – so let’s just enjoy it. `
Jacques Greene- Another Girl
They say you should never meet your heroes – but in this case investigating made a hero even more admirable. Another Girl is loveable from the first listen-subtle yet fierce, soft but hard, fragile and brave. A few months ago I discovered where he lifted the vocals from, and it turned its meaning completely on its head. Sampling Ciara‘s version of Deuces (her response to a Chris Browne track) Ciara discovers her man has been seeing another chica .Despite feeling ‘like a fool’ she remains defiant ‘trust when I say you won’t find another girl , that loves ya like C..too bad that you couldn’t even see’
In gifting us this track Jacques has taken every scorned woman out for a cocktail and assured us that he is a ass, not worth it, you deserve way better girlfriend (Men and from Venus men are from Dub-Step?)
If you see a gal strutting about wearing her sassy face chances are she is listing to this track -who knew Jacques Greene was the sixth Spice Girl?
Rachel Hegarty
