In 2005 Glen Hansard, lead singer of The Frames and Marketa Irglova recorded an album together in Prague while working together on the soundtrack of Jan Hrebejk's movie, Beauty In Trouble. 'The Swell Season' was released in April 2006 and also featured two Interference musicians, Marja Tuhkanen (violin) and Bertrand Galen (cello). In many ways, it was to prove partly inspirational for John Carney’s 'Once', a low-budget Irish indie film that turned out to be the most successful independent features of 2007. The pair not only wrote the songs for the movie but they both starred in it as well.
Since the release of the film Glen and Marketa have toured extensively as The Swell Season and in February 2008 they took the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for 'Falling Slowly'.
Their new album Strict Joy was released on the 27th of October 2009.
The record, which borrows its name from a work by Irish poet James Stephens, was co-produced by Hansard and Peter Katis (The National, Interpol), and recorded mostly at Katis’ Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, CT. In addition to Hansard and Irglova, the album features Frames members Colm Mac Iomaire (violin), Joe Doyle (bass), Rob Bochnik (guitar), Graham Hopkins (percussion) plus guitarist Javier Mas (Leonard Cohen), pianist Thomas Bartlett (Doveman), percussionist Chad Taylor (Chicago Underground Duo), horn players Steven Bernstein and Clark Gayton from Levon Helm’s band, and others.
‘STRICT JOY’ TRACK LISTING
1. Low Rising
2. Feeling the Pull
3. In These Arms
4. The Rain
5. Fantasy Man
6. Paper Cup
7. High Horses
8. The Verb
9. I Have Loved You Wrong
10. Love That Conquers
11. Two Tongues
12. Back Broke
The band is currently on a North American tour, which will be followed with several dates in Europe in 2010.
I LOVE the new cd!!! It's f***ing brilliant!!!! Thank u both for all u're hard work u put in it!! Hope u all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS :) ~Much Love xoxo~
Dear Glen and Mar, after watching boing boing video, you said that you appreciate the direct relationship between you and your listeners. saying that i have a direct relationship with you is just overstating my position as a listener.. but if you read this message, i just want you to know that your music is like a gift presented to me by the universe,i am really grateful to be inspired by your beautiful creation of music. thank you. please do consider coming to Malaysia or Singapore.
Just wanted to say Merry Christmas! Glen and Marketa
Love your music! Just as I became bored with most music that came out this year your music has proved to me that there are still good, down-to-earth musicians out there. Thank You
I Wish for you both a Prosperous 2010 Love You Guys!
Year-End Boston Rap Round-Up, Plus 5 Local Hip-Hop Happenings that we Stupidly Missed in 2009 - On... http://bit.ly/6X8QwQ Ft The Swell Season of Hip-Hop
Thank u both for all u're hard work u put in it!! Hope u all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS :) ~Much Love xoxo~
Online Now!
