Jeremy Williams-Chalmers, Arts Correspondent

Musical Motivation: Seil Lien

"Music is generally tied to a memory for me. I don't listen to a lot of music, it can interfere with the creative process but that doesn't mean I don't love listening to music, I just don't do it regularly," Marie-Claire White of Seil Lien informs us. Due release their debut album ‘Shatter’ on April 17th 2020, Seil Lien is one of the most unique artists to come out of Scotland, and the brain child of an uncompromising underground experimentalist. We decided to dig deeper, and asked Marie-Claire to tell us what songs make her...



Smile  

Tame Impala - Let It Happen  

It was a very muddy and trying Glastonbury, Tame Impala were playing, the sun was hot, we were drowning in mud, rainbow coloured confetti was falling from the sky to this song and it was just glorious. 

Contemplate  

The Host of Seraphim - Dead Can Dance 

After a tour run with 80s Alt pop/rock band Goodbye Mr Mackenzie I went to Italy for a break. Lead singer Martin Metcalfe had given me a list of music to get stuck into as I begin thinking about the next album. This song turned up loud sitting by the edge of the Adriatic Sea with the searing hot sun on my back looking out to the horizon. It was almost meditative. 

Cry 

Melancholy is my favourite flavour of music and after the recent death of Mazzy Star guitarist David Roback, I've been revisiting one of my favourite albums of all time. So Tonight That I Might See.  Hope Sandoval singing Into Dust kills me every time. This particular song has shared a lot of dark moments in my life. 

Laugh

Without question in my mind it's Malaguena by Los Paraguayos, it's the only song that makes my laugh through sheer and utter joy however sadly there isn't a digital version of the vinyl I have. The versions online are very somber and I'd hate you to get the wrong impression so I'll choose another... The Screaming Goat version of I Will Always Love You brings me big laughing tears every time! 

Work Out

Jon Hopkins - Emerald Rush

I'm not a work out kinda gal. I'm an artist and heard Singularity blaring out of one of the other artist studio, did a quick Shazam outside her door and now it's a studio staple .... it keeps you motivated!  So in the unlikely scenario that I'd run home...I'd listen to this. 

Reminisce 

Laurindo Almeida (Salli Terri) Bacanas Brasileiras No5: Aria

I've spent my who life listening to this song, over the years it's melted into my skin and become part of who I am. I inherited this record from grandfather to father to daughter. Have you ever felt homesick even when you're at home? This song similarly can make you feel reminiscent about something you can't quite reach in your memory, it's just a feeling, a sense of longing. It's pretty special and I don't share it too often. So if you've not heard it before....it's your lucky day. 

Relax 

A Winged Victory For The Sullen

I listened to this in its entirety while watching an old 1968 Soviet rendition of the Little Mermaid by HC Anderson, it's an animation and said to be the closest to the original book - dark, haunting and tragic. They went so well together, get it on the projector and turn up the music - It makes for a beautiful time.

Feel Determined

I'm the Man - Jehnny Beth 

I saw her live a few weeks ago in a tiny venue in Peckham - it was riotous joy. I got to chatting to Peaky Blinders director Anthony Byrne, it was a great time, we were all getting peeled off the ceiling by the end of the night. Her glorious fuck you spirit infects those around her, you come away feeling you could do anything. 

Dance 

David Byrne - American Utopia Live

My husband had been on tour for a while and surprised me with the very last ticket (so he tells me) at the Hammersmith Apollo to see this small venue run of American Utopia before it hit the stadiums. It was the front row centre seat of the circle, best seat in the house and it was insanely brilliant. I went on my own and danced....a lot!