October 16, 2009

i’m coming up only to hold you under

serena-ryder

I’m coming up only to hold you under
I’m coming up only to show you wrong
and to know you is hard,
and we wonder…..



The original Band of Horses song “The Funeral” is a shimmering, gorgeous cascade that always reminded me of watching waves break, or a beam of sunlight shoot through the clouds – direct and powerful. Breathtaking when it explodes around that 1:20 mark.

But there’s something in those lyrics that catches in the back of my throat, that I must admit gives me pause with its undertones of… vengeance? Sadness? Regrets? It’s never been more prominent to me than the way Serena Ryder takes this song and makes it her own. Her voice is a powerful creation that feels muted here, but channels a hint of Janis Joplin, or more recently the marvelous Samantha Crain. This recording comes from a 4-song EP of covers a la Cat Power.

I am entranced by her throaty alto re-creation — smoky and restrained, and yet so terrifically mournful.

Funeral (Band of Horses cover) – Serena Ryder & The Beauties



Serena is from Toronto and this year has brought tours with Ingrid Michaelson, Paolo Nutini, and Pete Yorn. Her album is it o.k. is out November 3rd, and she plays Denver’s Bluebird on October 27th.



[poached off Dainon’s radio show]

4 Comments

Comments RSS

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Subscribe to this tasty feed.
I tweet things. It's amazing.

Bio Pic Name: Heather Browne
Location: Colorado, originally by way of California
Giving context to the torrent since 2005.

"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel."
—Hunter S. Thompson

Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.

View all Interviews → View all Shows I've Seen →