Closing his Featured Act slot, Ed Tullett takes us through his biggest influences. His track list gives listeners crucial insight into his own brand of folktronica by way of Oxfordshire math rock and Canadian evangelists; quoting some of our generation’s best loved artists amongst musicians who have been sadly overlooked.
For more on Ed, head over here.
Bon Iver – Re: Stacks
I could have picked basically any other Bon Iver song, but this is why I instantly fell in love with Justin Vernon. I don’t think I’d heard anything with such honesty, such simple beauty, before.
Manchester Orchestra – Sleeper 1972
A deeply saddening song, written about a vision he had of his father dying. It does exactly what music should – evoke emotion. Andy Hull is a fantastic lyricist, and his solo project Right Away, Great Captain also deserves a mention!
Civil Twilight – Solider
After hearing ‘Human’ on an episode of House I got Civil Twilight’s self titled album, which is really great. This is one of my favourite songs on it, somewhat dark and bluesy, but in less of a John-Mayer-Continuum-esc way, and more of a gritty heart on the sleeve way.
Foals – What Remains
Still a big fan of Antidotes, but Total Life Forever had Foals finding a certain maturity which is evident in the much darker tone of their second album. The album really inspired me to listen to music with a darker sound to it, and this track satisfies my love of anything ‘epic’ sounding.
Radiohead – Pyramid Song and Motion Picture Soundtrack
I’m a massive Radiohead fan and Kid A and Amnesiac are my two favourite Radiohead albums. Pyramid Song has been a massive influence on me; it has a hypnotising nature about it. Motion Picture Soundtrack is such a lovely song, it seems almost like a lullaby to me now! Thom Yorke at his most haunting and his most beautiful.
Frightened Rabbit – Keep Yourself Warm
Midnight Organ Fight is a fantastic album, and I was lucky enough to see them play songs from it at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells, a pretty small venue which I’ve played myself a number of times. I love how honest the lyrics are, and the song’s gradual build up makes it really epic at the end! I haven’t been into their newer stuff as much, but this remains a favourite album of mine.
Bon Iver – Brackett, WI
I had to pick at least two Bon Iver songs, and these both don’t even come from their stellar second album, but this is one of my favourites. The harmonies in it are perfect, and the instrumentation is so original, driven by bass guitar, it passes through organs, ambient percussion, banjo and acoustic guitar. A lovely song, well worthy of having a full release, but the brilliant Dark Was the Night compilation is a fitting home for it.
Grizzly Bear – Foreground
The best band I’ve ever seen live, Veckatimest is as beautiful in person as it is through speakers. They remind me how much I envy multi-instrumentalists, and they seem to be able to create wonderful sounds with just about anything! Foreground is a perfect album closer, subtle and moving.
Sufjan Stevens – Seven Swans
Sufjan is the reason I bought a banjo. It’s really helped me get so much more of a natural sound, one which I’ve been seeking for years. Seven Swans (album) sees it being used pretty heavily, and is a very pretty, sparse album. Illinoise and Michigan are both astonishing albums, his ability to create songs with so many different instruments is amazing. The Age of Adz was completely different, but a new direction which I loved, and I saw him performing songs from it live, one of the best shows I’ve seen.
Iron & Wine – Wolves (Song of the Shepherd’s Dog)
I’ll be a bit briefer now as I’ve got so many bands I want to get through! This song was incredible live, becoming a 10 minute plus jazz jam, Samuel Beam’s voice has a lovely breathy quality about it which I love.
James Blake – Measurements
James Blake’s self-titled album should have won the Mercury Prize in my opinion, so sparse yet so beautiful.
S. Carey – Broken
Bon Iver’s percussionist, S. Carey has wonderful songs of his own! I love the instrumentation on this album, the use of flutes and a lot of piano.
Brand New – Luca
The quiet-loud dynamics of Brand New’s material is something I absolutely love, and Jesse Lacey is a brilliant lyricist. The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me is an amazing album which I’ve loved for many years!
Arcade Fire – Intervention
Because lots of musicians = good music. All 3 of their albums have been fantastic.
Menomena – INTIL
I bought Friend and Foe on a whim in Resident (a Brighton Independent record store) a few years ago and have since been back to get their new album ‘Mines’ on LP from there! Weird and wonderful, brilliant stuff.
Colour Revolt – Naked and Red
Some Americans that know how to spell colour. Awesome band, 3 guitarists makes for some brilliant grungy rock.
Local Natives – Wide Eyes
The best band I saw at Reading last year, this is always what I listen to in the summer!
Keaton Henson – You Don’t Know How Lucky You Are
‘Dear…’ is a mesmerising album, it’s just so felt and so honest. It’s really inspired me hugely.
