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 saw you guys at amoeba in hollywood. u guys were amazing,i still cant belive i gotto shake your hand glen let alone take a pic with you. thanks for that by the way. i was waiting near you cause i didnt want tointerrupt your conversasion and the security guy kept looking at me. Ilove ur music. please makemore. peace n love.^x^ kisses
I just love the new album it hasn't left my comp and player since it came out! I can't wait to see you guys in Dallas. Expecting great things. Here's to ya!
Thanks for the add... I so love you, you cant even imagine it. And would love you even more if you came to Croatia, but if not I`ll try to make it to Italy. I know I got you interested now.. Croatia, ha? Love you, drop by sometimes
Great sound here, so cool! I really enjoyed your show last Wednesday in Montréal. And of course, can't stop watching Once (at least once a year since 2003). Glen & Marketa, THX !!
I'd like to share good French stuffs with everyone:
I am loving the new album, great job guys! And I watched the dvd thats in the special edition last night and am even more excited to see you in London in January now!!! Hope the tour is going well.
Ciao,The Swell Season thanks for your friendship,Iam very happy, you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, and stupendous voice. you are certainly one of my favorite, in your musical kind The feels great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather to lot! The hope to listen soon to you, in italy.. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music, all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
