Times when a singer or band expose their personal experiences to record are sometimes called ‘confessional’ songs and, faute de mieux, that’s what I’ve called this episode.
It’s not a great description. It makes it sound as if a singer has done something wrong. It’s become associated with long-haired girls from Laurel Canyon gently strumming. Confessional singers write other songs about taxis and parks and the government as well. Non-confessional singers write autobiographical songs about Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. Joni Mitchell would descend into one of her late-period paroxysms of rage if described as such. But it’ll have to do.
There are any number of bands and singers I could have featured in this episode. Julia Jacklin’s sad “Don’t know how to keep loving you”. Mark Kozelek, who’s spent the last 10 years speak-singing his diary on stage. Johnny Rotten by his mother’s death bed. Magazine, shot by both sides as the post-punk wars began. Et cetera. Then there are all the established artists who tread this path.
Lana Del Rey has spent many years honing her autobiographical craft which triumphed on the Norman Fucking Rockwell album. Neil Young’s Thrasher on Rust Never Sleeps is an elegant explanation of why he left the canyon and headed for the margins.
One of the highlights since Sombrero Fallout began is the emergence of so many brilliant female artists, singing sardonically of being a pretty girl, what it’s like to suffer micro-aggressions, or songs with no agenda at all. There’s a few on this episode and many more elsewhere. As I mentioned on the pod this feels like a grim week in history. So let’s celebrate where and when we can.
And I’m ever keen to keep an eye out for the mix of old favourites and debutants. Great to see Everyone Everywhere, Sharon van Etten, Sebadoh, Frankie Cosmos, Phoebe Bridgers, Cursive, John Grant, Pedro the Lion, Judee Sill and Motion City Soundtrack getting their first outing. I’m sure it won’t be the last time for any of them.
Tracklist:
I feel exhausted, Everyone Everywhere
Vacation, Florist
Serpents, Sharon van Etten
Magnet’s coil, Sebadoh
Sappho, Frankie Cosmos
Motion sickness, Phoebe Bridgers
The recluse, Cursive
Lost cause, Beck
JC hates faggots, John Grant
Options, Pedro the Lion
Stay free, The Clash
Crayon angels, Judee Sill
Reason to believe, Tim Hardin
L.G. FUAD, Motion City Soundtrack
Blue, Joni Mitchell