Australian singer-songwriter Brian Campeau is to a guitar what a Thai stripper is to a ping pong ball, both utilising their ‘instruments’ in the most unconventional ways. His new album, Mostly Winter Sometimes Spring, sees him take a very different approach to songwriting, while continuing to make the most of his gift for melody and mood. One instrument was chosen for each song on the album, and played in whichever way worked best at the time. Imagine melodicas, cellos, harmoniums and glockenspiels caressed, thrown, strummed, and deliberately misused in a bid to express Campeau’s experiences over the last two years.
Nina Simone / Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues Probably the saddest Dylan cover in history. Unbelievably simple, the band never overplaying, and her vocal is beautiful. Totally effective in creating immediate depression.
Great Northern (Solon Bixler, Rachel Stolte) released their atmospheric and melodic debut album, Trading Twilight For Daylight in 2007. Their new album, Remind Me Where the Light Is, is the work of a more seasoned group, one that has been on the road for months, missed home, seen the world, and returned, not entirely prepared to sit still and write. The results being upbeat, guitar-driven songs, yet with the familiar layered vocals and sweeping, panoramic sound.
Simon and Garfunkel / Bridge Over Troubled Water It makes us cry every time.
Young French musician, M83, released a brilliant album, Saturday=Youth, in April, and has since been busy making 2008 his. The recording itself will take you on a journey through a sentimental and nostalgic land. In M83’s own words: ‘this is the most explicit celebration yet of how it feels to be dazed, confused and fifteen year old’, as haunting melodies are filled with overtones of Kate Bush, Human League and Boards Of Canada.
Tears for Fears / Head Over Heels This song was the biggest influence for my new album. Our track, Kim and Jesse, takes a lot of inspiration from 80s bands like Tears for Fears. This is one of my favourites.
My Secret Playlist is a music discovery website and weekly email publication. We invite our favourite bands and musicians to give us the rundown on their eight favourite songs right now. These are their words on the music that inspires them.
