Haruko « Morning Dreams » live video
décembre 5th, 2009
Phantogram « When I’m Small »
novembre 28th, 2009
An interview with HARUKO
novembre 24th, 2009
Haruko - The Bright Lights
Haruko - Goodbye My Love, Goodbye
Haruko (Susanne Stanglow) is a young lady of 20 years old, living in Bremem Germany. She released one of the most beautiful record of the year « Wild Geese » and kindly answers to our questions:
Haruko, if your music was a landscape ?
It would be a little house in the mountains maybe.
What is the meaning of the name « Haruko »
« Springchild ». It’s Japanese, I’m born in spring.
What’s your story with music ?
I started playing the guitar at the age of 14 because I wanted to play the songs I listened to. My father, who plays the guitar, showed me some chords and we played a lot of songs together, songs by Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones or Jimi Hendrix. I never liked learning new skills on the guitar and I never took a lesson. I always did it just for fun. When I was 17 I started to write songs and had my first concert by chance. After that, I thought « why not? » and kept on making music.
What kind of music did you listen at home when you were a child ?
I don’t remeber much. I think I liked music as a child but I didn’t really care what music I was listening to. But I remember that I’d always ask my father to play « As tears Go by ». I still like his version better than the original.
What are your projects for the up coming months ?
I would like to tour through Europe because I almost only toured in Germany, yet. And I want to record another album and/or Ep.
« I know, dreams often feel better than life, but you cannot hide » Could you explain us your connection with the reality, is your music and dreams a way to get away from our world ?
On some days it’s hard for me to cope with certain situations or problems and then it even is a challenge for me to talk to people or to do my work. So I often try to keep the real life out and image/dream my own world where everything is easier. Of course that doesn’t make anything easier. My music is maybe a way to understand myself and situations better.
Did you ever plan to sing a song with someone else, with who would you like or dream to sing as a duo ?
On stage I sing along with Hlynur Gudjonsson. He’s my boyfriend and also a musician. If I could choose without being realistic I would like to sing with Leonard Cohen.
When, how, did you know that a song is successfully completed ?
It just feels like it. Sometimes I start to write a song and I think it’s unfinished but I can’t find an « end ». And then I forget it and continue working at it a few weeks later and suddenly I don’t need to write anything anymore because I feel like it is completed. It also depends on the story of the song. Some lyrics are just thoughts that don’t need a fixed order and some songs are telling stories that need an ending.
Is there a song you wish you had written ?
There are dozens of songs I wish I had written. Like « Milk and Honey » by Jackson C. Frank. But in the end – if I had written the song I’d surely be sick of it by now and wouldn’t have the pleasure to hear it for the first time.
Most ever playing record at home ?
Hard to decide…I listened a lot to Mariee Sioux’s « Faces in the Rocks » and « Ys » by Joanna Newsom. But it’s difficult to tell. There are lots of records I love and that are played a lot.
What are you currently listening to, any recommended records ?
In the last weeks/months I listened to « Lost Wisdom » by Mount Eerie everytime I went for a walk. It is such a beautiful album and I even think one of the most beautiful records I’ve ever heard. Bowerbirds: « Hymns for a dark horse »…Laura Gibson: « Six white horses »
Is there a movie that get a strong influence on you ?
I love watching movies but I don’t know in how far (or if) they ever influenced me. But I think some stories or characters might be a motivation to put yourself in someone else’s position and write about his thoughts and his situation.
Ed Laurie « Small Boat Big Sea » L.P
novembre 20th, 2009
Will Stratton « No Wonder » L.P
novembre 18th, 2009
Cold Cave « Love Comes Close » L.P
novembre 15th, 2009
http://www.myspace.com/coldcave
Peter Wolf Crier « Inter-Be » new album
novembre 11th, 2009
Wild Beasts « All The King’s Men » video
novembre 8th, 2009
Great Lake Swimmers « Palmistry » video
novembre 6th, 2009
Chet « Chelsea Silver, Please Come Home »
novembre 3rd, 2009
The Leisure Society « Save It For Someone Who Cares »
octobre 31st, 2009
Holly Throsby (featuring Bonnie « Prince » Billy) – « Would You ? »
octobre 28th, 2009
Ah Holly Fam’ly « Reservoir » new album
octobre 25th, 2009
Ah Holly Faml’y
« All Unfolding » (mp3)
from « Reservoir »
(Lucky Madison)
Ah Holly Faml’y
« Young Veins » (mp3)
from « Reservoir »
(Lucky Madison)
Tape Deck Mountain – « Ghost » new album
octobre 23rd, 2009
Princeton – « Cocoon Of Love »
octobre 20th, 2009
Signe Tollefsen
octobre 17th, 2009
Signe Tollefsen « You, Me & the Brewers » (mp3)
from « Signe Tollefsen »
(Corazong Records)
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