So last night was probably the first of many nights I’ll spend chained to my desk reluctantly married to Photoshop over the next few months. I’m in full swing with rendering and colouring all the pages for my book and in true Swa form it’s taking me ten times longer than I thought it would to get through all the work… I keep stumbling upon new ways to colour things, which yeah, look heaps better, but take double the time to complete. I’m going with this whole rainbow luminescence device which is quite magical looking (It’s like a poor man’s Avatar in Wonderland). There’s lots of blue and turquoise overlays going on mixed with splashes of magenta and purple.
If I ever get the chance to make another children’s book I think I’ll set it in the daylight hours… night time is cool and mysterious and all but there’s so much darkness that it takes yonks to get everything balanced and the right amounts of variation in tone. I can’t wait til I have all these pictures coloured and I can sit back and actually be nice to myself. At the moment I’m being a hard-ass perfectionist… but hopefully that means I can maintain the quality of the imagery the whole way through and not slack off over time.
And now for a Swaylist. I realised after I compiled it how banjo-centric it is. It must be a mood thing. There’s some other cool snippets in there too.
No One Said This Would Be Easy – The Postmarks – There’s a bit of a Bond film theme song edge to this, which is snazzy. The whole album is reminiscent of that sound.
Roscoe – Midlake – This was the first song I heard of theirs and I’m really enjoy the vibe. I think I might enjoy the older album a bit more than the new one but they’re both really well put together.
Devil’s Spoke – Laura Marling – (may contain traces of banjo) Newish Laura, little bit keen for her new album to be released. I’ve always had a bit of a crush on the whole Indian infused folk thing. I like that her voice is deeper and that it’s different from her other stuff. I imagine not everyone will dig this because it’s not as ‘cute’. It should be noted that Miss Marling was my summer girl.
40 Day Dream – Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes – These guys hit the spot! You know… the place where your inner hippy love child dwells. I can’t stop listening to this song – It’s the magical mystery kind. Can’t wait to see them at the end of March.
Laundry Room – The Avett Brothers – (may contain traces of banjo.. hold out for the hoedown at the end) It was hard to choose which song of theirs to put on this playlist. I’m really quite partial to I and Love and You as well as Ten Thousand Words. Yes they’re country and lots of people hate country but they’re also lovely and wholesome and handsome (sans beards). I want to make sweet sweet harmonies with them.
Another Day – Jamie Lidell – Jamie’s album Jim is pretty swell. This track in particular I can’t help but sing along to. When it hits the little instrumental interlude in the middle I think of dance sequences in old Disney movies. Oh and the birds tweeting= adorable.
Giving Up On Love – Slow Club – This was my Valentine’s Day theme song. It’s good for giving the concept of love the finger in a very simple and a little bit oldschool rock’n’roll way.
Awake My Soul – Mumford and Sons – (may contain traces of banjo.. and ends with a bit of a hoedown too) Mumford have been exposed muchly this summer. I was initially drawn to the “bigger” numbers on the album but this one has really grown on me. I like the jaunty patterns in the verses. Someone let me know when they start auditioning for daughters.
Cement – Washington – I stumbled upon Megan’s stuff as a result of her appearances on Spicks and Specks. I really like her vocal tone. Fun song too.
Pretty Flowers – Steve Martin (It’s actually Dolly Parton and Vince Gill singing) (there’s no doubt about the epic traces of banjo on Steve Martin’s album) This is the kind of music I would have shunned as a kid. Now I’m just totally lame or something but I find myself a bit of a sucker for country. Dolly does it to me every time.
Awesome lyrics include –
Well I took you out to dinner
And I told you funny stories
And I moved a little closer
And you made love to me
And on that note xxxSwa
4 comments
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March 3, 2010 at 9:22 am
lexieee
Mmm banjo. I have had a trumpets playlist coming for a while.
Midlake – the first Midlake song I ever heard, and my favourite. Looking forward to listening to the other stuff you gave me.
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes – loving what I hear, and kind of bummed I’m not going.
The Avett Brothers – my lawyer played me this album the other week. It’s growing on me.
Jamie Lidell – I could go some more of this!
Slow Club – I enjoy them a lot more on record for some reason.
Mumford and Sons – doesn’t need a comment.
Washington – this one has been played more than once. Probably my fave on your list.
Steve Martin – I did listen to it, but I don’t actually remember it.. hmm.
March 3, 2010 at 1:24 pm
swankebuttons
Yay! I’m glad your positive about most of the tracks. I think you’ll find I’ve given you the complete albums of everyone on this list if you’re looking for more to listen to.
I didn’t really expect you’d dig the Steve Martin track – it’s more of the novelty track on the playlist. Looking forward to the trumpet playlist!
March 3, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Burt Reynolds
– I had this on one of my previous playlists I believe. copycat :p
– I’m in love with Midlake atm, so anything Midlake is a winner with me.
– I was a bit bummed out with Devil’s Spoke. Its ok, but i like her older stuff way more
– ES&MZ have some pretty cool pop songs. This is among my favorites
– Avett Brothers ftw! I was telling you about this song last time we met I think, and the knee-slapping barn dance ending…so good.
– Smooth. Jamie Lidell has some new stuff coming out next month I think.
– Giving Up On Love is my favorite song from their record.
– I’ve listened to Mumford & Sons too much in the last while. I like the entire album, even tho is is majorly overhyped imo. I’m giving it a break and I’m going to go back and listen to it again in a while. I like your choice of track.
– Haven’t listened to it more than once. I’ll get back to ya on this one.
– ❤ Steve Martin.
March 3, 2010 at 11:24 pm
inghan
Mmmmm I do love how well suited our tastes are…
Postmarks are sweet.
Never heard of Midlake before. Very catchy and easy to listen to 🙂
Marling and Edward Sharpe… You know what I think of them. I prefer when Marling sings like that – gives her songs some real interesting character. And 40 Day Dream is my winner pick too – that and Janglin. Whoooo so looking forward to their concert!!! Lex you should go – Will is possibly looking for a buddy to mosh with 🙂
Avett Brothers’ Laundry Room is pretty good, but not quite my cuppa tea – except near the end which is pretty crazy awesome. I am kinda intrigued to hear I and Love and You.
Another Day is the song I keep hearing on FBi which makes me think of Marvin Gaye… Love love LOVE it!
Never really got into Slow Club. But this song is perfect for valentines day and the lyrics… seem so suitable.
Unlike Nick I’ve hardly listened to Mumford & Sons. I really enjoyed them at Laneway but never got around to acquiring their album.
Megan Washington is adorable!
I don’t even know what to think of Steve Martin… Interesting… Weird… But catchy!