Remember Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from the movie “Once“? They starred in the hit film together, won an Oscar for Best Song, had a bestselling soundtrack. They even got together in real life. It seems so long ago now, 2007. Time flies!
Well, they’re back, only they split as a couple. Glen tells me they’re “just friends.” They’re now called The Swell Season. They’re sort of like Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. And they’ve got a new, terrific album called “Strict Joy.” The first single should be a hit if, you know, radio stations still played music by people over 12. It’s called “Low Rising.” Here’s the video.
“Strict Joy” is almost all original material. But come on, they’re Irish — they had to cover Van Morrison. And so “Into the Mystic” gets treated reverentially at first, and then it soars. Hansard is a stirring Irish vocalist, as Irish vocalists can be. Marketa makes a perfect counterpoiut.
No, they don’t have the hook of a new film. I joked with Glen they should have called the new album “Once Again.” But they’re trying to move on. Let’s move on with them!
The Swell Season tour kicks off tonight in Mesa, Arizona.
By the way, despite the “Once” soundtrack being on Sony/Epic, Glen decided to leave the big label world. The Swell Season is signed to hot indie label, Anti. What are they Anti? You can guess.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Mr. Friedman, a couple quick correction, if i may:
1), they’ve been called The Swell Season since the first album, which predates “Once” by over a year;
2) They started their tour several weeks ago; I know, they’ve already played Boston, 10 days ago; I was there – again (fourth time seeing them live)
3) as you already know, and correctly – there is NOTHING like seeing them live – they absolutely are AWESOME!!!
November 17th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Most importantly, they are playing in Los Angeles at the Wiltern tomorrow, Wednesday 18th Nov. and on Thursday too. It’s sold out for Wednesday but if you rush you might get tickets for the extra night (Thursday)they added! Josh Ritter is supporting. DO NOT miss this concert. You will never forgive yourself. They are utterly amazing live. Live Nation still has tickets. SERIOUSLY, LA move fast on this.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:35 am
yeah the album was only called ONCE because the songs from the Swell Season were pulled into the soundtrack. If it had been called Once Again I would have thrown up in my mouth a little bit.