the stories I'll listen to a hundred times
013. Fiona Apple, Laura Marling, Angie McMahon, Angel Olsen + happenings from the '& Friends'
The cold has finally arrived—delayed and with vengeance. Mould seems to find a place on every surface in a damp flat. It’s currently colonizing a copy of Michael Leunig’s Poems on a shelf of my desk. Yet signs of spring are here—daffodils, crocuses, lambs!—and I’m reminded to begin planning for the garden burst that quickly approaches.
This month I’ve begun to compile some of my all time favourite contemporary songwriters and below you’ll find four albums I can’t go without. It’s got me thinking about the elements that make me enjoy a song. I tend to hear melody first—more often than not it’s a vocal melody—which seems to act as the walls of the house. Then, after a few listens I begin to hear the story or lyrical web that the writer is weaving—the contents within the house.
There are always exceptions—sometimes those contents come pouring out before any structure is established (Everything Is Free, Pay Day, Kristine, Give It Time). A song with effective repetition and then a subtle shift in the pattern easily becomes a favorite of mine (Through The Fires, Sparrow, Red Red Red). I’m easily drawn in by wonky guitar sounds (Nobody), busy percussion rhythms (Time Escaping), and gibberish lyrics (29 #Strafford APTS, Cherry-Coloured Funk, or almost any song from Bon Iver and Cocteau Twins). Often my favorite songs are ones where the vocalist sounds like they are in the same room as you (See You Soon, Good News, Warm Chris, For A Long While). It’s hard to pinpoint one element or formula and the more I try to figure it out the more I realize—if it’s music then I’m interested.
Below is part 1 of albums that tell a story I could listen to a hundred times.
Burn Your Fire For No Witness - Angel Olsen
Every Angel album gives me a unique feeling. Burn Your Fire For No Witness is liberation. Freedom in the most unpatriotic sense of the word. It’s phrases are beautifully constructed—reminiscent of Leonard Cohen on tracks like White Fire—the most delicate musing on time and youth. This album is the reminder I always need. “Some days all you need is one good thought strong in your mind” she sings on the dreamy bop track Light Outs. This is an album about growing old, about looking forward and backward with hopeful eyes. The special ingredient amongst all the talk of youth, maturity, and death is a dash of romance. This is especially present in the bonus tracks. The wonderful cherry on top is a jangly cover of Hoyt Axton’s Endless Road which beautifully binds together the themes of time and romance.
Salt - Angie McMahon
It all starts with the husky devoted voice of Angie McMahon. I sometimes think I would believe any lyrics coming from the right voice singing the right melody. Angie is one of those artists that draws me in and turns me around. This album makes my heart beat to the rhythm of track 5, Missing Me. It’s achingly relatable; clinging to the heart, a kind voice coming from the next room over, a sunny day in the park, a long drive home. I’ve seen Angie in concert a couple times now and that passion and desire in her voice comes across so intensely—she is also a fantastic whistler.
Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple
This album is explosive with energy and wisdom. I can’t get enough of the puzzling drum rhythms and mosaic percussive elements (largely performed and recorded by Fiona). To me this album contains some of the best relationship advice I’ve heard in song format. Fiona Apple puts an idea in a blender with a dash of sass, a cup of demands, a pinch of passion, a squeeze of citrus and blends it all together with incredible skill. I’ll drink that smoothie all day.
Song For Our Daughter - Laura Marling
A love letter to the future. The potential. Laura Marling weaves a beautiful story of hope and love to her daughter that is not yet. This album makes me endlessly happy with it’s Paul Simon-esque foot tappers and stacked harmonies reminiscent of The Staves. It’s saddest moments still feel hopeful and leave me smirking a ponderous smirk. Produced by Ethan Johns who produced and mixed the first three Kings of Leon albums (Youth & Young Manhood, Aha Shake Heartbreak, Because of the Times) which will forever be three of my favorite albums.
We’ve got a single release and music video in the pipeline so keep an eye out for that next month. In the meantime I’d love to highlight some of the awesome things the gang has been doing.
Awkward Talks!
Sig Wilder & Friends’ bassist Kei Heke is the quick-witted host of a wonderful podcast called Awkward Talks which features Aotearoa’s finest contributors to the music scene. Hosted alongside singer Issy Walker they discuss the important topics with a focus on how to participate effectively in the space we call the music industry. I love how every episode manages to excite and fuel me up. Have a listen to Episode 9 featuring Taylor Nixon who directed our upcoming music video. (Also I love Episode 3)
Awkward Talks Website / Instagram
Dream of You by LEON with Mads Taylor
Sig Wilder & Friends’ drummer & vocalist Mads Taylor recently put out a single with Auckland-based singer, multi-instrumentalist, and production wizard LEON. This is a song of the summer. Mads’ voice spins around you from all directions while the beat keeps your feet stepping forward.
Language of Flowers by Sofia Machray
Sig Wilder & Friends’ guitarist & vocalist Sofia Machray has released her debut EP, Language of Flowers. It opens with a beautiful, delicate acoustic guitar and Sofia’s voice dancing alongside sweeping string arrangements. It’s a wonderful opening for an album that builds wonderfully and catches you along the way with dangerously catchy hooks. This album is dreamy and spacious. Give it a listen!
Do you have an album that tells a story you love? Comment.
Toodle oo,
Sig