November 4: What The Hell Was The Matter With Me?

Hei.
It's been a long long time. I can explain. I've been without a computer while shopping at Ikea and screwing screws. Now I am restored and I just got back from a fun weekend in Oslo. It all ended with the best Elvis Costello concert I've ever attended. And I have seen four of his shows, if that counts for anything where you come from. He is one of my favourite artists, I tell you.

Another artist who was a favourite of mine back in the day, five years ago - just before I was getting together my writing - is Elliott Smith. Or was, I am sad and shocked to say. Elliott Smith passed away a couple of weeks ago. To our luck his few but fantastic records all remain as special as they were when he was still here.

Elliott Smith once said, if I remember correctly, that he wished to release records as spontanous and often as Elvis Costello did way back when in the early eighties; every half year. One can only wonder what music we would know if Elliott Smith was allowed to follow Costello's pattern and pace.

I've been listening to a lot of inspiring music lately. My greatest discovery has been "Discover America" by Van Dyke Parks. His "Song Sycle" has probably influenced some songs on the new album. "Discover America" could well inspire the next one. It's a weird concept record of traditonal songs from the Carribean Islands, a part of America whose music I didn't know much of (hence the title, I would guess). It's areally sweet record, humorous and exciting, all narrated by the wonderful voice of mr Van Dyke Parks.

After that record comes a few obvious, but new, choices:
" 11 Tracks Of Whack" by one Steely Dan, Walter Becker.
" Kamakiriad" by another Steely Dan, Donald Fagen.
A record of Kurt Weill songs arranged for ballroom dancing
A live record of Van Dyke Parks, recorded in 96

In addition to all this, I just got the new Travis record after hearing it at a record store. Never been too excited by them, but this time track 5 really did the trick. I just heard a record by China Crisis. An 80s act, produced by Walter Becker. It sounded lovely at first glance. Seldom do I hear music from that decade sounding so timeless and - if you'll excuse me - nice. This music could also be of good use when I enter Gjøa Studio with Kato this Wednesday to finish off a song we started last year. It was written for the new album (due in February, by the way), but we never did get all the way there, recording-wise. It's called "Rejection #" and it owes a lot to my present favourite 80s band, Prefab Sprout.

I'll be crossing the Atlantic real soon to play another round of gigs in North America. For the first time I am headlining, with support act Rachael Yamagata opening the ball. I am well rested and, to be honest, very happy to be doing these shows. I'll play a selection of songs from the new record, along with the usual suspects. One might wonder: can he get through a show without playing "You Know So Well"?
I hope not.

But, now I've got to go. There is surely more to tell, but the ink has run dry and my head is spinning.

See you soon,
Sondre Lerche