25/17 - For The Later Parade

The warm feels of a cold season, in temporary hibernation nests.

Sigur Rós - Gong

Yes, Sigur Rós still does it to me. The other day I had one of those magical music experiences that make everything else fade away. Having just listened to a beautiful episode of Radiolab that had already put me in a wondrous and emotional mood, I was walking through St. James's Park in the dark, now with Takk... in my headphones, and it just filled me to the brim. I got tears in my eyes and a large grin on my face and felt strongly I wanted go on living forever and ever.

Cat Power - The Greatest

Another blast from the past. That string intro almost made me cry the other night when it caught me off guard on random iTunes.

Once I wanted to be the greatest 

No wind or waterfall could stall me

And then came the rush of the flood 

Stars at night turned deep to dust 

Sufjan Stevens - Sleeping Bear, Sault Saint Marie

A third blast from the past. A voice of comfort for dark mornings on the bus to work. I slumber against the window pane and dream hazy dreams about the abandoned village on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Tim Buckley - Sweet Surrender

Definitely not my favourite Tim Buckley album, but when he starts playing with his voice and that string riff towards the end... there's no denying that, is there?

Sentieri Selvaggi - Child: Child: IV. Sweet Air

A gorgeous lullabyesque tune discovered on Björk's lovely The Cover mix.
I still haven't gotten my copy of Utopia!! Gah! Can't wait!! But I will wait! No listen until I can hold it in my hands. That's always been the tradition when the genius has a new release, and I'm not going to break it.

24/17 - Facts Are Facts and Fiction's Fiction

So, last weekend I was at the Le Guess Who? – a festival in picturesque Utrecht which I cannot recommend warmly enough. It was a blast, and the line up was a smorgasbord of mesmerising and strange acts. So this list consists of five tracks that were played at five of the best gigs. Apart from these I also saw: Den Sorte Skole, Liu Fang, Protomartyr, Weyes Blood, Richard Youngs, William Basinski, Prurient, Moor Mother, ICP Orchestra, Pharaoh Sanders, John Maus, Les Amazones D'Afrique, Hieroglyphic Being, Julianna Barwick, the Sai Anantam Ashram Singers, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Jane Weaver, Sun Ra Arkestra and Princess Nokia. 

Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares - Moma Houbava

22 Bulgarian women laying incredible vocal harmonies in the Utrecht Dom Church was an absolutely magical beginning of the festival. These arrangements are mind-blowing to experience live. Whoops and swoops, soaring solos, and almost flippant vocal acrobatics to wrap each composition up.

Juana Molina - Estalacticas

Realised I've listened to Juana Molina for at least 15 years by now. Finally I got to see her, and she absolutely ruled. Un Día was absolutely frantic, the trio was as joyful as it was flawless in its playing together, and I danced like a lunatic through the whole gig.

Liars - Mess On A Mission

It was high time I was reminded of my long time love for Liars. I went with some trepidation as I know Angus is of recent the sole official member of the band and I didn't know if it was gonna turn into a full-blown raucous Liars gig as I've known them from before. But boy was I wrong to worry: songs from the entire Liars oevre in an absolutely gloriously noisy mess of a concert.

tUnE-yArDs - Look At Your Hands

Another positively WILD gig. Can't wait for the new album after having being completely pummelled by some new songs live.

Mario Batkovic - Ineunte

If Philip Glass had been restricted to an accordion as his sole output. Experiencing the sounds the good Mario managed to force out of his instrument live was an awesome thrill. That riff at 6:52 for example. Exquisite.


And as a bonus, here's some Arkestra madness:

23/17 - We Could Be Diving For Pearls

OK, a quick one before I go on holiday:

Jan Johansson - Skobonka

Current mood. Nervous and antsy, in a good way, because I need to get up at 2am to go to the airport to go to Venice!

Kamasi Washington - Desire

Listen to this whole EP! It's soul balm!

Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding

Reacquainted myself in a deeper way with this classic after listening to an excellent episode of the Soul Music podcast. Highly recommended.

Håkan Hellström - Hoppas att det ska gå bra för de yngre också

Obvious pairing with the above. GBG <3!

Kanye West - Ultralight Beam

Chance the Rapper brought pure elation to the tail end of my birthday party.

I'm just having fun with it!