Single Review: Lightning Books - I'm Being Followed
You can never really underestimate the role of fate in life sometimes. Several years back I interviewed Sarah Negahdari from L.A band Happy Hollows, and her viewpoint on the abstract nature of chance was that there is a mysterious magic to the world sometimes, that seems to lead people together and ensure a change to people's lives. That always stuck with me and although a pre-ordained fate seems a step too far; certainly that concept of enhancing coincidences seems to hold some philosophical weight.
It's a thought that won't be lost on Irish musician Dave O'Riordan. After an old band broke up, O'Riordan moved from his musically-rich hometown of Bray, Ireland - also home to Ffion Regan and Hozier - to the culturally liberal climate of Amsterdam in search of change of inspiration. After a couple of years where he "..more or less stopped making music entirely", O'Riordan was to meet violinist Myrthe Van De Weetering - and this proved to be a pivotal meeting. Van De Weetering is well known in the Netherlands for her work on Dutch TV and Film soundtracks and has also worked with several leading lights in Dutch music.
It was the catalyst for O'Riordan to start a new project - Lightning Books. After sending demos back and forth, the songs starting coming thick and fast - with Van De Weetering's input key in their evolution. Not only did she add to the song writing process herself, but also she recommended more musicians who could help refine the songs into a more rounded experience. 2019 was spent recording the tracks that will ultimately make up the Lightning Books debut album.
New single 'I'm Being Followed' is an intriguing taster of what's to come that is based around it's three biggest strengths. The first of which is unassuming and tender vocals that permeate the track. There's a certain sensibility in the Irish when it comes to a gentle, laid back folk song - Irish music has a history and an instinct for melody that seems to be ingrained in it's roots. On 'I'm Being Followed', more modern Irish folk luminaries like Villagers and Mundy immediately spring to mind as influences. There is a sense that O'Riordan is happy to follow that lineage - whilst keen to add his own spin on proceedings.
The lyrics are a darkly comedic tale of paranoia that have a similar groundings to that of Stuart Murdoch's in Belle and Sebastian. I still smart from the slap that sparked my first cries, on the night I was born is the opening couplet that sets the tone. There are references to the innocence of the new born experiencing things for the first time and still now - in adulthood - hurting over the bad ones. The chorus lifts with O'Riordan engulfed in a sense of being watched - seemingly by the past - And I've seen a strange shadow. Pausing for effect. I'm Being Followed.
The arrangement from Van De Weetering bolsters the ranks - with a brass band ensemble dominating the mix. It has the same effect that it has on by those who have used them before to change the mood of a track - Neutral Milk Hotel, Beirut and Calexico are obvious examples. It also allows the gentle acoustic guitar of O'Riordan to prosper and take on a life of it's own. Post chorus gives space for a simple, but beautifully effective piano riff that leaves an indelible mark on the track.
Mixed and mastered by Remko Schouten, former sound engineer for Pavement and producer for the likes of Devendra Banhart and Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) - 'I'm Being Followed' is the second single from the new album 'Pangs' - due for release on January 29th via Amsterdam label Six Def Records. A live streaming event is planned for nearer to the release date to help promote it's release. The video for first single 'Sawn in Two' can be seen below.
Comments
Post a Comment