--- Artist Feature --- "For me, what I do is about giving birth to an idea. I become obsessive about my ideas. I dream them; they live inside of me. But to be able to stay true to your vision until the bitter end? That's success – there's nothing higher than that." Her eyes light up. "Everything else is just bullshit." It’s been a while since I’ve done an artist feature, so, taking a break from politics and shifting gears but not toning down the mood at all that has been permeating on this blog. So here's an infusion of music; we all need it, even if we don’t know it. Lykke Li (pronounced Lick-E-Lee for those wondering) is synonymous with a variety of instrumental work and her wispy, oft sombre, retro, child-like vocals. She’s been described as being “sweetly melancholic”. Born to self professed hippy parents (a musician father and photographer mother) she says that although she was born in Sweden, she traveled so much that she doesn’t identify with the country of her birth. By the time she skipped out at 19 yrs old and go to NY to pursue a singing career, her family were living in Morocco. So, she’s Swedish without being Swedish… Personally I can’t place why I’m a fan of hers, but I suppose if I must say, then it has something to do with that trademark nostalgia to her sound. It speaks of things past – what we can never get back again, and this is evidenced within some of the song titles – ‘I Never Learn’, ‘Just Like a Dream’ and ‘Never gonna Love Again’. I was only introduced to her late (comparatively) via her second studio album ‘Wounded Rhymes’. The first song I heard was ‘Rich Kids Blues’ and the landmark ‘I follow Rivers’ which had an arguably longer life span thanks to the many dance remixes around (most notably by that of DJ ‘The Magician’). I like the fact that she’s somewhat stand-offish with both her music and her fans, perhaps its just me being a writer, but even though we know a lot of facts about Lykke Li, she still retains an enigmatic air. Otherwise, I just find her paradoxically refreshing. She says touring often pains her, where she was once even diagnosed with PTSD, because in reality, she’s an introvert, so becoming a pop star was probably not the best thing for her, health wise. Coming Soon: Her latest Album 'I Never Learn' (see cover art below) makes its world debut on 5 May. Lykke Li: [Image Credits: prefixmag.com, discodemon.net, facebook.com/lykkeli, followfrisby.files.wordpress.com, studiotota.com, wikipedia.com, ilistenbecauseican.wordpress.com, pastemagazine.com, wanttickets.com] “It's not a very sane thing to try to be great all the time. You want to make something magical; you want to make something wonderful; you want to give to everybody; you want to heal people; you want to still be inspired. That's not easy.”
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Benjamin John Howard - aka, Ben Howard... is a man who knows how to make music. If you're tired of the superficial, overproduced, loud collaborations of the music industry today (despite many of them actually possessing some talent - only to be drowned out by commercialism), then I implore you to lend your ears to this man's sound. It's deep, it's instrumental and some might even call it an acquired 'genre specific' taste (only if you like this type of music) - regardless of your taste-buds, you will have to admit that whatever he does, he does it well. He's the sort of musician that's a rather rare or dying breed in the modern music landscape - a throwback to the acoustic artists of old. Rising to prominence in Britain in 2008 (at the age of twenty) with his first self released EP (followed by two more in the next two years), he finally released his debut album Every Kingdom in 2011. His early fame can be attributed to word-of-mouth advertising, gaining traction through the most personal of mediums. So, from humble beginnings in rural Devon, spending considerable time out on the waves surfing (when not playing music), to being featured on David Letterman's Late Show. Officially released late last year, his latest EP The Burgh Island (named after a tidal island off the Devon coast) is, in my humble opinion, a bold and intriguing step up from his debut album which is still entrenched in my playlist. I've played that album to death but it seems to never tire, and now this... The Burgh Island EP, which only contains four songs: Esmerelda, Oats in the Water, To Be Alone and Burgh Island - all of which I listen to on repeat. His new sound is rich, dark and brooding, and personally, I can't get enough - The contrast in album/EP covers is a clear indication of the change in direction he's taken. There is of course the similar sound to all his tracks - the common thread - (it is his voice after all), but each one has a distinctive personality; some will make you sit still and listen, others will be slower in drawing you in, while others still will have you with your eyes shut in plain appreciation. He has a variety of instruments at his disposal which sometimes flirts with a few jazz notes in the way his songs sometimes don't quite resolve, but he's never afraid to push the envelope whilst keeping everything centered on the strings of his acoustic guitar. This may sound corny or preachy, but at twenty five - one of the things most impressive is the maturity in not only his voice (both vocally and artistically) but also in his lyrics. But enough writing, lets get to the listening (and looking), so you can soak in the melodies... (FYI - I updated these videos - The previous vimeo vid I posted of 'Oats in the water' was a fan-made video - still beautiful mind you - but these two were taken from Ben Howard's official Youtube channel) Here's a (I think anyway) fan made video of the mesmerizing song Esmerelda of the Burgh Island EP. Ben Howard quotes: "'Black Flies' is the best song I've ever written" "We’re getting a bit more creative with the songs and I’m looking forward to doing some solid rehearsal days and adding a few new instruments" "Anyone’s debut record becomes their greatest hits really... "It comes down to the mental space you’re in; the songs just depend on how much you invest in them. If you really put your heart and soul into them and believe in what you’re singing or what you’re playing, then it comes across. That slightly loose edge when you’re not overly conscious of what you’re doing, but you’re really in tune with what you’re singing about." "Once you get onto a D28, you don’t really go back" - (referring to his Martin guitar) We’re getting a bit more creative with the songs and I’m looking forward to doing some solid rehearsal days and adding a few new instruments "Ben brings a crisp freshness to the world of acoustic troubadours, he’ll make you feel like it’s the first time you’ve ever heard anything like it, but still having a rootsy lustre seemingly as old as the country side in which he wrote the songs Like on FACEBOOK Follow on TWITTER Link to BEN HOWARD's Official Website Ben Howard music channel on YOUTUBE The problem with being a writer, is that we see things a little differently. It’s not as though we’re trying that hard, but the more you write, the more you look, and whether it be for inspiration for a story, or just where to fit ourselves into the picture (because sometimes we need to be chameleon-like), our odd angle on life, just happens . It’s a bit like those poetic lyrics by Kris Kristofferson: “He's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction (- a little random I know, but I’ve really been looking for moment to use those lines, and FYI, you don't have to be a writer to see the world in a different light) Truth is, we’re always looking for an avenue to explore. Sometimes it doesn’t feel natural, (or foreboding even) and usually that’s exactly what persuades us to take that route. We live in our heads, conjuring worlds and characters, and sometimes, or most times, it can get quite cluttered… so a little downtime is always in order. A far as strolls on the beachfront goes, well, it is kind of clichéd, but it only became so because it works, otherwise, there’s the mountain and Cliff side hike, for some real fresh air. Keeping with mountains, there’s real value to it you know… The clean air begins to invigorate you as you fill your lungs, then you start to climb and your muscles really start to work, forcing you to suck even more oxygen. Then you get higher and the oxygen levels decrease and your body starts to burn more energy to compensate. And the reality is, you haven’t even gone that far yet – its only just begun. That feeling you’re feeling; your muscles, your lungs, quickening breath and all… that is the feeling of literally being, more alive! Seriously though, you literally ARE using more of your body - awakening many particles and molecules that were sleeping. And as luck would have it, being alive kind of helps to tell better stories too, that’s generally how these things work. Anyway, on this recent trip, I may not have learned anything especially new (or gone on a hike), but certain things were clarified a bit more, with regard to my life as well as my storytelling… Most times it’s not about what or how much you know, but rather the way in which you apply the knowledge already amassed, and asking yourself the right – difficult to answer – questions. Both obviously and primarily apply to your life, and that will automatically filter into your work. Its all there or in front of your face, we just need (as is so often the case) to be reminded how to use it, or illustrate it, like the way a photographer uses light, or a master-chef brings certain flavors to the fore . Have a great weekend! Ciao - All pics by me... location: Durban promenade, with the World Cup Stadium arch featuring in the last two images. It was a little breezy, but not too chilly.- |
[Banner illustration by Joel Kanar]
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