![“[It’s] a major problem with the culture of music right now — of there not being enough patience in the audience. People — even me — will be like, ‘What happened to that person? Did they stop making music or did they die?’ No, they stopped for one month. I think all musicians are struggling with that — trying to make time for themselves and to exercise their craft and refine it.” -Nika Roza Danilova, a.k.a. Zola Jesus, in The Huffington Post.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzphkprRnB1qz5hqvo1_500.jpg)
“[It’s] a major problem with the culture of music right now — of there not being enough patience in the audience. People — even me — will be like, ‘What happened to that person? Did they stop making music or did they die?’ No, they stopped for one month. I think all musicians are struggling with that — trying to make time for themselves and to exercise their craft and refine it.” -Nika Roza Danilova, a.k.a. Zola Jesus, in The Huffington Post.
Pardon me if I’m at least a week behind on new music but: this song/video (for Class Actress’ “Bienvenue”) is so romantic in that cheesy way that makes you feel like you accidentally stumbled upon a breathlessly gorgeous jewelry commercial. And that’s more than OK.
Also, in case you missed this: My interview with Chicago “bear rapper” Big Dipper, who recently premiered his new “Drip Drop” music video, on HuffPost this week.
“I think there’s a market for everyone out there and the bear identity, to me, is a movement that is growing and more and more people know about it. In the ’90s, people shaved their beards to fit in, but now people are identifying as bears and want to be bears. It’s become a sexy, sexy thing as of late — so this is really a perfect way for me to show my true colors.”
All right, I gave in: My 26 favorite albums released in 2011.
Discover them in reverse order/8tracks mix form: Albums ranked #26-14 here, #13-1 here.
List to follow. 2012, ahoy!
A new track titled No Face by Karin Dreijer Andersson, which you know from The Knife and Fever Ray, is featured on the We Are The Works In Progress compilation. The song was initially written for the Ingmar Bergman play The Wolf Hour, of which the soundtrack was entirely written by Karin - hope we get to hear that soundtrack one day.
With just a minimum of instruments and a focus on the opera-like vocals, No Face reminds me of the music of Klaus Nomi and Tomorrow, In A Year, the opera The Knife wrote music for last year, along with Planningtorock and Mt. Sims.
We Are The Works In Progress is a 14-song benefit album to support Japan and it’s ongoing efforts to heal post-tsunami and was compiled and organized by Blonde Redhead. It will be available digitally on January 10th and the double LP can be pre-order on their website.
So lovely and bizarre.
Speaking of songs that always catch me off guard. The incomparable Cold Specks.
“With my last breath, my soul will slip.”
This song always sneaks up on me and leaves me in tears.
Kate Nash, well done.
And I kind of hate seagulls too.
And I can’t find the words to make it sound unique but
Honestly you make me strong, I can’t believe I’ve found someone this kind
I hope we carry on
‘Cause you’re so nice and I’m in love with you
Perfume Genius - All Waters
So lovely. For some reason, this song reminds me of a more low-key Jonsi.
(Source: twentyfourbit)
