alt folk – Page 16 – Get In Her Ears

Cinematic sounds and affecting vocals combine on Irish songwriter Lisa Hannigan‘s latest single ‘Bookmark’. It’s a beautiful collaboration with composer André de Ridder and his s t a r g a z e neo-classical orchestra, recorded when they accompanied Hannigan onstage at Dublin’s National Concert Hall. The live album will be released on 31st May via Play It Again Sam, titled Live In Dublin.

The new record spans Hannigan’s discography, including her critically acclaimed 2016 third album At Swim. It paints a beautiful musical portrait of her 17 year career so far, which has included award nominations from the Mercury Prize to Ireland’s Choice Music Prize and Meteor Music Awards.

Speaking about ‘Bookmark’, Hannigan explains: “’Bookmark’ was one of those lost songs that I wrote for At Swim that didn’t seem to fit with the rest of that record. I also never could figure out how to orchestrate it beyond my guitar part and it felt a bit stuck. Andre wrote an arrangement for it during the PEOPLE festival in Berlin, and overnight it came to life.”

Listen to ‘Bookmark’ below and pre-order your copy of Lisa Hannigan’s Live In Dublin here.

Photo Credit: Gerry Sugrue

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

An understated, captivating listen: Berlin-based trio Varley have shared their new single ‘Phantom Studies’ released via Seahorse Music. It’s an introspective, atmospheric alt-folk gem that explores the breakdown of communication in a relationship.

Formed of vocalist Claire-Ann Varley and multi-instrumentalists Matthias Heising and Joschka Bender, Varley won us over with their stripped back live set at our at Notting Hill Arts Club gig last year. On their new single, the trio continue to give us goosebumps by delivering pitch perfect vocals over a hypnotic, dreamy soundscape.

Speaking about ‘Phantom Studies’, Claire-Ann explains: “Was it real? Did it actually exist and if so, did it exist in the way it appeared to me? ‘Phantom studies’ looks at the dynamic between two people who, although have the same daily routine, see things in a completely different way. It shows how memories can be warped and changed over time and how one person’s reality is not the same as another’s. It shows the breakdown in a relationship and communication and how sometimes even when we communicate our feelings they are not taken seriously”

If you’re a fan of Bon Iver, London Grammar or Daughter; then Varley’s music is definitely worth investing in. Listen to ‘Phantom Studies’ below and follow Varley on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Tag: alt folk

LISTEN: Lisa Hannigan & s t a r g a z e Orchestra – ‘Bookmark’

LISTEN: Varley – ‘Phantom Studies’