Words + Mix ADAM WILTZIE
Photo JÓNATAN GRETARSSON
Whatever your expectations are, lower them…
Unfortunately, I am not like Robert Evans, who had an interesting anecdote for every second of his life. I seem to have what the intergalactics call a very planetary mind, but I put this mix together on Nov 1st, 2019, the official release day for our new album The Undivided Five.
As an artist, I feel I have a certain function to perform, but making a playlist sober has forever been a challenging task. Is there conscious intention in every single choice? Universal truths that permeate everything? Or am I simply searching for a feeling that I enjoyed as a child?
Despite this monumental moment of release — a true end in letting go of a recording — I am always filled with more doubts than anything. As a wise man once said, “What’s to be, will be; and then again, perhaps it won’t be, after all.”
KLAUS WEISS – DIRT TRACK
The best track ever by this guy. This is my go-to jam for getting ready for a night out on the town.
ANA ROXANNE – IT’S A RAINY DAY ON THE COSMIC SHORE
Aine Devaney from our Redbird Management turned me on to this record. The whole thing is absolutely lovely.
JULIA HOLTER – WORDS I HEARD
This duelling violin combo is gorgeous, and the songwriting on this one is so spot on you barely notice the digital piano sound.
P.I.L. – RADIO 4
From the infamous 1979 album Metal Box. This is, and will always be, one of the most surprising and unique recordings, considering what Mr. Lydon was doing previously.
TALK TALK – JOHN COPE
This was the B-side of the “I Believe in You” single from 1988 and leads to a re-post of this old Talk Talk book I contributed some words to by James Marsh, the guy that made all their artworks….
This memory is forever tattooed on my cerebellum. It was a week after my birthday, September 1988. I was on my way to go record shopping at The Candyman record store in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was flipping through the ‘new’ bin and came across a copy of ‘Spirit of Eden’ on vinyl. When I returned home, I put it on; it was one of those few moments in life where you stare at the record player in complete bemusement. What is this music?
Hearing that three-song suite on the first side for the first time was, as I believe a wise man once uttered, ‘like I was shot with a diamond bullet right through my forehead.’ Although I can imagine the innumerable hordes would never see the connection, it was essentially an incoherent catalyst for the early Stars of the Lid rumblings, multiple suites connecting through one song that would go on forever. There is just a sullen atmosphere in those recordings that I have concluded, in one way or another, changed my life, or at least the way my ears perceive it.
ROBERT WYATT – CATHOLIC ARCHITECTURE
Ambient music’s original willowy pope.
BEDHEAD – CRUSHING
From their masterpiece of a first recording. I had the pleasure to record their Beheaded recording when I worked in a studio back in 1995, and I pretty much quit the job after finishing this because I realized recording bands would never be the same after working with them.
TSEGUÉ-MARYAM GUÉBROU – HOMESICKNESS
That is the beautiful truth at the centre of this gifted voice. It’s amusing, dark, pleasurable, and it makes me feel calm.
MAURICE RAVEL – MIROIRS III
Of all divers, thou hast dived the deepest.
HANS ZIMMER – GOD YU TEKEM LAEF BLONG MI
It’s ZIMMERTIME!
ADAM WILTZIE – THE ENDLESS BATTLE OF THE MAUDLIN BALLADE PT. 3
Normally I do not feel comfortable blowing smoke up my ass, but I was really pleased with the sound of the brass players on this recording.
TRACKLISTING:
KLAUS WEISS – DIRT TRACK
DESERT FLOWER – SUFI
ANA ROXANNE – IT’S A RAINY DAY ON THE COSMIC SHORE
JULIA HOLTER – WORDS I HEARD
P.I.L. – RADIO 4
DANIEL LANOIS – SPACE KAY
TALK TALK – JOHN COPE
ROBERT WYATT – CATHOLIC ARCHITECTURE
BOARDS OF CANADA – OVER THE HORIZON RADAR
TINY VIPERS – EYES LIKE OURS
VASHTI BUNYAN – TRAIN SONG
MINIMAL COMPACT – WHEN I GO
BEDHEAD – CRUSHING
TSEGUÉ-MARYAM GUÉBROU – HOMESICKNESS
MAURICE RAVEL – MIROIRS III
HANS ZIMMER – GOD YU TEKEM LAEF BLONG MI
ADAM WILTZIE – THE ENDLESS BATTLE OF THE MAUDLIN BALLADE PT. 3
A Winged Victory For the Sullen’s second proper album is now available through Ninja Tune. Stream it in full below, along with a few videos and selections from the duo’s back catalogue. Adam Wiltzie and his fellow composer Dustin O’Halloran also have a lengthy tour already lined up for 2020. Check out the latest dates and details here.
