Oh Martha

“There are days when the cage doesn’t seem to open very wide at all….” I love this lyric that opens Martha Wainwright’s new album I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too. I’m not having one of those days, but I definitely do have those days when no matter how hard I pry, I feel stuck. It’s so simply put, but so apt.

I remember hearing Matapedia, the record by her mother’s band The McGarrigles, whose music I grew up with as my mother is a huge fan. There’s a lyric that references Martha meeting an old lover of her mother’s: “He said, ‘Oh my god it’s Kate!’ /’No, I’m the daughter of Kate/My name is Martha, who are you?/Ma never told me about you. ‘ ” Martha ended up being one of my favorite musicians of the whole McGarrigle/Wainwright clan. I think she’s one the most interesting, daring singer/songwriters out there today. Her voice alone, which is full of aching spasms and heavenly crescendos, makes her brilliant enough. But then her risky melodic structures and direct, womanly lyrics send her over the edge of voice-alone brilliance. I still haven’t tired of her new album (though I did of her 1st one–I think this one is much better.)

I’m also listening a lot to Frightened Rabbit…their songs just send bittersweet pangs through me.  And make me want to go walkin’ in the Scottish rain.

The album is being mixed right now. I’m being patient. It might turn out to be an EP. I’d rather have all of the songs be polished gems than have some flab. We’ll see. Having a period just to write, play a few shows and enjoy the lazy, lilting summer has been really good for my spirit. I’ve been practicing with my sister, who sings and plays piano, and there’s nothing more fun than that.

Ipod love

My darling boyfriend got me an Ipod touch for my birthday. I have to say, it makes the music-listening experience even more fun. Just seeing that gorgeous, lucid graphic of the album’s art pop up is so satisfying! It’s so wonderful to walk in the morning, when the light is still new, under the green eaves of my neighborhood, with a beautiful tune in my ears. I remember my roommate in Paris telling me how much she loved walking through the city with Radiohead in her ears, and at the time (19) I couldn’t understand why she would want to block out the rich sounds of the town with Thom Yorke’s sad warble. But now I understand how it only adds another layer to the experience, not a shield but an illuminating screen. Today I listened to Tift Merrit’s “Something to Me”–the perfect bittersweet but positive morning tune–and some tracks from Habib Koite’s “Afriki.” It didn’t hurt that the weather has been absolutely stunning, cool and pure blue skies. I’m in love with my Ipod.

turning 28

i hope i’m headed towards some strange event at this age
hold me down like the warm jade in the ring’s setting, stay

in the last light of youth
we look around at our friends
some are trying to stay wild
others are building their shelter
so where are we

the roses you brought turned black as oil spills today
when i need your contours close you just seem to float away

in the last light of youth
we look around at our friends
some are wandering home to their mothers
others becoming their own

Image by Nancy Gillespie