Ah, Desert Island Discs. I have been putting this off for
some time now but, alas, the time has come to be the last of the JW music
consultants to bare my soul and tell all. It’s an extremely tough job,
especially as musical tastes can change so oft as moods change. But here goes…
Laura Marling –
Blackberry Stone
Moods change but my love for Marling will never. She will
always have a spot on my list. Blackberry Stone is my choice for more sombre
times on the island. I really enjoy singing to this song and even trying to
imitate the gorgeous violin solo toward the end with my not-so-pristine vocals.
So it’s the perfect choice for keeping oneself rooted when isolated on a desert
island.
Please note: Spotify does not host said version with
violins. Sad times.
Simon and Garfunkel –
America
“Toss me a cigarette, I think there’s one in my raincoat…we
smoked the last one an hour ago”. They went to look for America, both literally
and figuratively. I guess there are parts I can identify with and parts I can’t
and wish I could: ‘It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw’. It’s
beautifully crafted with strong song writing and great harmonies. It’s a story
and it’s one I want to envision, stranded on an island or not.
Boy & Bear –
Beach
Dave Hosking’s vocal though. God, this song. I kind of want
to say nothing and just advise to listen. It’s 6:13 minutes long so a couple of
minutes longer than an average radio edit but I’d rather spend extra time being
invested in this complete babe of a song than checking my Instagram feed. Or
talking to my blood-stained volleyball Winston [brother of Wilson, you know
what I mean] when on the island. The build is so beautiful, the harmonies are
gorgeous – I cannot put into words what this song does to me!
The Doors – People Are
Strange
Ah, this one is a little easier to talk about. I actually heard The Echo & The Bunnymen version first on my most favourite film ever, The
Lost Boys. But I prefer The Doors version written 20 years beforehand. I still associate
it with the fictitious beach town, Santa Carla, and its weird fairground setting [actually
filmed in Santa Cruz, which I visited and most of the rides are still there,
looking all 80’s and stuff]. The song really lives up to the name – it’s
strange and it suits me well.
The Stone Roses – I Wanna
Be Adored
I actually don’t want to say anything about this one. I hope
it ends up in my collection when I’m washed up on shore.
Pachelbel – Canon in
D
I just think this song is so gorgeous. I know it is overused
and the soundtrack for pretty much every wedding but it makes me feel
heartbroken and proud at the same time. How many songs can you say make you
feel those two simultaneously? Probably loads, actually…
Kurt Vile – Pretty Pimpin
Kurt Vile was a discovery I made last year. His face was
plastered all over Rough Trade East and I wasn’t interested. I had this
preconceived idea that he was some hipster trying his luck at a punky sound.
How wrong was I?! I am sorry I doubted you, Kurt. Pretty Pimpin’ ended up being
part of my 2015 soundtrack and has continued on through to 2016. I just like
how through the lyrics, Vile seems wired “I proceeded to brush some strangers
teeth, but they were my teeth, and I was weightless’. Not punky at all but a
very cool Americana sound.
Jefferson Airplane –
White Rabbit
Another creepy one. 60’s psychedelic rock better end up on
that island with me! It can take me to a time before my time and let me forget
that I will probably never be found and it’s probably just gonna be me and
Winston until the end of time. May as well figuratively enjoy someone else’s
trip, eh?
Lana Del Ray – Video Games
Beautiful, beautiful Lana. Harps, pianos, violins, stunning
vocals. I love her vintage inspired style, especially in the music video for
Video Games which she directed herself. For me, she just exudes a timeless
elegance. And even if it is all an act as people say, she does a darn good job
of it. Love ya, Lana!
Hot Chip – Flutes
Well I can’t be sad and emotive on the island the whole time
right? Morale needs to be kept up. So I’m gonna dance to Flutes. It isn’t one
of those anthemic kind of dance tunes. It’s layers ‘pon layers done in a very
stereotypical robotic Hot Chip way but it can be my 7 minute 5 second work out.
Karis. x
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