This was a pretty busy ‘news’ week for the Swell Season. They had some chit-chat with Spinner and dropped by on QTV. Watch ‘In These Arms’ below.

Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard also visited ‘Der Spiegel’ last month and performed some fab acoustic tunes there.

Glen Hansard from the Swell Season duo talks to Spinner about their last album ‘Strict Joy’. The other half of the duo, Marketa Irglova, and Hansard became a couple after their hit film ‘Once‘, but they broke up. Lucky for us, they broke up ‘nicely’, so no fights, which resulted in a new 12-song album. ‘Strict Joy’ was released earlier this week(I believe, it leaked a while ago) and it ‘builds upon the subtle, heartwrenching ballads that lined the work in ‘Once’(according to Spinner).

‘It’s different because we’re not in each other’s company as we were before,’ Hansard tells Spinner. ‘It was 24/7. When there are two people catching an idea from its infancy, it can take a different shape than if that person had just thought about it themselves. Certainly when it comes to creating things, when someone has an idea and the other person is present, the idea changes.’

Hansard goes on to say that much of the album was written in their own separate ways, a process that he’s been quite familiar with over the years. But for Irglova, he says it’s something newer for her. Songs such as ‘Fantasy Man’ and ‘I Have Loved You Wrong’ highlight her vocals within an intricate, orchestrated context. And from the sounds of it, we’re lucky to get these nuggets.

‘What’s happening to Mar — and it’s a compliment — she’s writing these beautiful songs but doesn’t feel the necessary need to record them or document them,’ Hansard explains. ‘They exist for an hour in a room and they’re gone. I’m more of a collector — I collect an idea. When it’s out, I like it.’

(note: most of this is copied from Spinner, like you might noticed)

Me encanta…. mañana examen… así que no garantizo mi presencia por este blog… deseadme suerteeee!!!

Once (Glen Hansard y Marketa Irglova): Falling slowly

I’m way behind on this one but I finally saw the movie Once last night. I’ll save the amazing details that you could find more easily on the Once Wiki page. Things like the film was shot in Dublin, Ireland for a budget of $160,000, it wasn’t supposed to be a success but still made it onto many critics movies of the year lists, neither Hansard nor Irglova seem like Grammy nominee or Oscar winning caliber musicians, or the fact that an independent album release that was a soundtrack from an independent film reached #27 on the US Billboard charts … like I said, just check the Wikipedia article.

Everyone needs stories and nothing competes with simple and honest storytelling backed by simple and honest songs. I’m not sure at this point if I’m blogging on the music or the film but the best way to experience both is definitely to see the film.

I love epic films and I’m not one of those artsy types who keeps independent European films on a shelf next to a copy of The Complete Sylvia Plath. But this film inspired and touched me and many others with it’s visual and musical storytelling.

Rent it. Buy it. See this film.

I love watching music covers on YouTube.

“Survivor” (Destiny’s Child) on ukelele. Played by Julia Nunes, who actually has a ton of fun stuff- her covers of “Mr Brightside” and “All My Lovin” and “Falling Slowly” are also great. Total girl-crush.

“Toxic” (Britney Spears) on ukelele. Played by sweetafton23. Oh my god this chick is so badass. It’s like she’s not even trying. This cover is spectacular.

Scott got me Once for xmas. I liked it, as I like most tiny love stories. And I’ve been singing this song in my head for a couple days on repeat. Oh, and my soprano friend is Alison, perhaps better known on this blog as the Palin to my Obama.

I don’t know where the time goes sometimes, but I looked at my trunk this morning and I have ALL these CDs that I want to listen to this weekend!Here are the CDs I’m hoping to give time to this weekend:

Rockferry by Duffy

Set List by The Frames

Funplex by The B-52s

The Odd Couple by Gnarls Barkley

The Swell Season by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Twin Cinema by The New Pornographers

Mountain Battles by The Breeders

Red by Guillemots

Happily (happily?) I’m going to be working out some blocking for some plays written by 10 year-olds, so I should have lots of need for good background music.

Currently playing in iTunes: Revelate by The Frames

So I watched an Irish movie the other night, and I know it may sound strange to some, but when you are married to someone from irishland, all they ever want to do is make you watch Irish movies, listen to irish music, talk about irish history, etc, etc… So needless to say, I try to find excuses just to irritate the husband as often as possible.

I relented the other night due to absolute exhaustion from continual study, work and anxiety about my much anticipated up and coming exams. The Irish movie of the moment was something called “Once“.

Now… I have to admit. Of the very few Irish movies I’ve seen, they really aren’t too bad! I mean, The Crying Game was legendary, and I don’t care that there was a he-she doodah in it, the movie broke ground! (I say that after only seeing it for the first time late last year… I had obviously heard about it many times before though).

But this “Once” movie really stuck with me. I even jumped onto iTunes yesterday and downloaded the soundtrack and have been listening to it over and over again!

So, what the hell is it about, you ask?

Well… it’s not really about all that much, to be honest. The most enjoying aspect of the movie and I guess the theme and main component of the plot is the music.

The brilliantly talented Glen Hansard (lead singer of The Frames) plays the “easy to feel comfortable with and very quickly relate to” main character, and of course lends his excellent music talents and vocals to the film/soundtrack.

His voice is so raw and earthy (yet with a sing-song Irish twang) that you can’t stop listening to him and dammit, you just want to hear so much more!

And his wonderful co-star Marketa Irglova (who I had never heard of before) adds another element to the movie and soundtrack. Her voice is sweet, but what I really love is that every now and then, if you listen oh so carefully, you can hear her Czech accent coming through. I don’t know which to say, but either the music really suits her voice or her voice really suits the music. Either way, she added a lovely tone and character to the movie.

I would watch the movie again. And probably another time after that. But it is the music that I will continue listening to over and over.

I cannot deny that Ireland has produced some sublime musical talent over the years and when visiting the country last year, I can see that music is in the heart and soul of so many of this small island’s inhabitants.

It is not just those musicians with their big one-time smash hits that I am referring to, either. It is the smaller, often lesser heard of group of incredibly talented singers that astound me.

I think it was the first time I heard one of Damien Rice’s songs that I really started to pay attention to other Irish musicians. Just like Hansard, the raw, earthy tone of Damien Rice’s voice is incredible. It is real singing. It is real music. And it’s all Irish.

Although I will never live this down, and I can’t even believe I am about to write it… The Irish deserve more respect than we have given them. Sure, they are great to poke fun at and make jokes about, but the contribution the people of this country have made to the Arts and Entertainment industries is noteworthy and considerable.

I recommend you watch “Once“. But more importantly I recommend you listen to it’s music.

I thought I should write something about my links… first up – EskimoFriends.com.

EskimoFriends is the no.1 fan-site for Irish musician Damien Rice and was recently voted Ireland’s Best Artist/Fan Website by the readers of Ireland’s leading music magazine HotPress. It beat out leading U2 fan-site atU2.com and theFrames.ie, the official site of The Frames – who’s lead singer Glen Hansard recently won an Oscar for Best Song. An amazing achievement for EskimoFriends, considering Damien hasn’t toured since last October!

The site gives you the latest news on Damien, as well as interviews, live recordings, lyrics, tabs, tour dates etc. It’s strong point though is its forum, which has an incredibly friendly and warm community built up. In the forum you’ll get reviews of all Damien’s gigs as well as recommendations for other music and lots more.

So if you like Damien’s music (or haven’t yet heard it) check it out…

A while ago I got to see Once - it was a delightful movie, kudos to the director John Carney for making such a beautiful movie on a shoestring budget of $160,000 or so. What was more amazing was the soundtrack – the songs are just beautiful, touching and relevant. All (well, except one) songs were composed and performed by the lead characters of the movie, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. They both have great screen presence as well as great voice. Randy Jackson wouldn’t have had an opportunity to say “I think that was pitchy, dawg“. Ha. Anyways. Falling Down is a great song which also won  the 2008 Academy Award for Best Original Song. One of my other favorites is The Hill….

“Walking up the hill tonight and you have closed your eyes,
I wish I didn’t have to make all those mistakes and be wise,
Please try to be patient and know that I’m still learning,
I’m sorry that you have to see the strength inside me burning,
Where are you my angel now don’t you see me crying,
And I know that you can’t do it all but you can’t say I’m not trying…“

Anyways, getting to the point – go watch the movie and buy the soundtrack, you won’t regret it. And on a random note, Wikipedia rocks.

`Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova took home the Oscar for “Best Original Song” tonight. Even with all my love for Diablo, The Coens, and all things Javier; this was the finest moment of the ceremony. It was the one moment where Hollywood showed how smart it could be, when recognized a true, deserving piece of art. It was also also the moment where Glen and Mar had their chance to shine. Marketa’s acceptance speech may, in fact, have been the BEST moment of the whole show.

Oh, and if you haven’t seen Once yet… check it out. It’s amazing.

Here is their acceptance speech:

God Bless Mar. She always makes my day.

And here is their performance at the ceremony:

A while back, I got into the Irish band The Frames. I forgot about them for a bit, and then I heard fantastic things about the indie film “Once” which was released in 2007 to select theatres. “Once” starred the lead singer and main songwriter of the Frames, Glen Hansard, and I bought the DVD without even seeing the movie yet. Of course, upon seeing the film and hearing the fucking brilliant music that is featured throughout, I had to pick up the “Once” soundtrack, which is basically the music of indie/folk duo The Swell Season.

The Swell Season is Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard and Czech singer/songwriter Marketa Irglova, the two main stars of “Once.” Marketa and Glen have known each other since she was 13, and the both of them wound up writing and recording songs as The Swell Season in 2006. Shortly after, most of the same songs were used in the movie “Once.” (different versions of the songs on the soundtrack and Swell Season album).

Without boring you to death with full details (I do tend to ramble a lot when I’m excited about great music), just LISTEN to these three PERFECT songs, and please… buy the movie “Once” if you have even the slightest love for music and personal chemistry. You’ll love it.

Falling Slowly (“Once” soundtrack version)

If You Want Me

All The Way Down (“Once” soundtrack version)

buy the Once DVD, soundtrack, and Swell Season CD from
amazon.com

Click and listen online on MySpace pages
The Swell Season – The Frames
ONCE – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
The Frames – official page
36 min. video with Glen Hansard – Czech TV

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frames