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.
hey guys, our friends who got engaged at our house, were here yesterday for Thanksgiving. reminded me of when they sang "Falling Slowly" and then Tony popped the question ...The Proposal using "Falling Slowly"
Hi! Thanks for being our friend! It would mean a lot if you'd check out our songs and leave us a comment. If we're doing our job you might even get a smile out of it. Comment how you feel!
Also, if you're in the Salt Lake City area let me know, we are trying to build a really strong local fanbase and always looking for people to jam with! Get with us early and we'll hook you up when we're huge...which will probably be in a week or two.
hi!! new video Christmas At The Zoo (The Flaming Lips cover) by the guitar plus me
from the Christmas mini album CHRISTMAS GIFT CHRISTMAS GRIFT (me against the world 01) 1. White Christmas 2. The Christmas Song 3. Christmas At The Zoo 4. Christmas Gift Christmas Grift 5. Aluminum Xmas Trees (acoustic) 6. Silent Night
Just want to share my experience. I went to The Swell Season with the Frames show on 11-18-09 at the Wiltern in L.A. The show was AMAZING!! That whole experience, watching you all preform live was MAGICAL. I never thought in 100years I would get a chance to see you in L.A. Thank you all so much for making 1 of my dreams come true. You both have an extraordinary angelic voice, it really melts my hear. Thanks again.
you can get on our Viral Compilation CD and get 1000 plays/views and 300+ Radio Station Blasts via Capacity Productions all for only 25 bucks!!!! (for a limited time)
I was at the Portland show, which I heard was sold out. You two were absolutely amazing! so glad I was able to see you live, sounding better than ever!!!
Wanted to stop by and say you Mar and the whole gang knocked our socks off in Oakland last Friday... did you really play us 22 songs? I love them all and was touched by the story of the old woman you met in Chicago! You had us on our feet for the whole encore and got us to sing along. Considering it's the Bay Area where people like to think they've seen this, done that, you've achieved quite a feat! Have a wonderful rest of the tour and please come back soon.
Hello Swell Season (and The Frames, of course!), Wanted to get on Myspace as soon as I could to just send you a word of thanks for coming in to visit Portland again and blessing us with your presence. You're most definitely one of, if not the best, live shows I've been lucky enough to see twice now! Please do come back again, after a little break of course ;D Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're all awesome and wonderful!
Great profile. Peace and progress. Many thanks for adding me and looking forward to your comment.. Any suggestion is welcome. Hope you enjoy and dance to my Music. All the best wishes. Farid
Where are my pics from Philly show on Nov. 8th? Whoever took those pics, please email them to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to hang out with us fans! We so should do a photo shoot together!
my boyfriend and i both decided that your show last night in seattle was one of the best that we have ever experienced. thank you so much for your music! you seem like you are genuinely good people which is so inspiring. thank you again!
The Seattle concert was great! I had so much joy in my heart that I welled up during The Rain. What a fantastic concert to share as a family. Thank you so much.
ahhhhh your show at the wiltern on the 19th was amazing! i couldnt of expected any less! your guys new album is amazing, ever since you guys has the cd signing at amoeba in la, that cd has been in my car playing non-stop, i just wanted to let all of you know how beautiful and inspiring your music is. This was my 4th time seeing you, i first saw you guys when yall opened for Damien Rice at the Orpheum in La! such a good show! ahhhhh amazinnnnngggggg!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your Music it inspires me to create my own
Online Now!
: WISH YOU AND YOURS A GREAT THANKSGIVING! 
