Weyes Blood’s Week in Pop
The reign of Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering; photographs appear courtesy of the artist.
Weyes Blood’s Front Row Seat To Earth is out today via Mexican Summer & we are absolutely delighted & thrilled to present you with Natalie Mering’s exclusive Week in Pop guest selections:
Songs About Being a Hardcore Music Addict
FR David, “Music”
“Music, you’re making me blue—but I’m alone without you”
I’m obsessed with music. I think it takes an artist in really rare form who can write about that, have a whole song based on the infatuation with the act of music itself. FR David, an italo pop star, does a fantastic job portraying this hazy emotional infatuation through a solid 4/4 beat and chord progression ripped straight from the church hymn book. A beautiful song for all loners who find themselves wrapped up in alternate universe of music.
On the road with Natalie Mering; photograph appears courtesy of the artist.
Brian Protheroe, “Changing my Tune”
Brian Protheroe guides us through his chord changes with the technical music terms woven through the lyrics. This dude is geeking out on his key change. Maybe a little showy Protheroe, but you still made my list for a hardcore music addict—you had nothing else to say in your song besides that you were trying to write it.
Through the portal with Natalie Mering; photograph by the artist.
R. Stevie Moore, “Play Myself Some Music”
We all know R Stevie Moore is a freak, and silence makes him cry. Once again, there’s nothing to do…just pop in the chair, listen to side two first, literally anything goes. You can do whatever you want when the sonic crack you’re addicted to is music. My tendency is to keep the same CD in my car for five months with four to five tracks on it and tire out any human who enters the addiction zone. I feel like the chord changes in this one really express the dizzying effects of music addiction.
Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering; photograph courtesy of the artist.
Kate Bush, “The Saxophone”
“It’s in me, it’s in me—and you know it’s for real
Tuning in your saxophone”
Kate hones in on the delectable saxophone—a love anthem to a pivotal romance generator in music. Its got a nice skippy jumpy feel uncharacteristic of other saxophone anthems, and the saxophone just comes in when its beckoned by Kate’s voice. Love the proggy organ outro on the end of this song. Smart music making.
Natalie Mering, oka Weyes Blood; photograph courtesy of the artist.
Roberta Flack, “Killing Me Softly”
This one is a heart-stopping classic, and not much needs to be said of its brilliance. Getting killed softly by a boy’s song onstage is something all people can understand, can relate to. This is that moment where the music sinks its fangs into your tender flesh. Watch out—its easy to fall in love with the human that makes the music you’re obsessed with, and I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with them.
Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering; photograph courtesy of the artist.
Sean Nicholas Savage, “Music”
“Music saved my life, that’s why I want to spend all of my time doin’ music”
And lastly, a modern anthem to music by one of my favorite song writers of recent times, Sean Nicholas Savage. He hones in on the true details of being a music creator- doing it, believing in it, believing you can do it… replacing the infallible concept of romantic love with the act of playing music. A true post-modern love song for the elemental feelings of romance themselves, divorced of all beings, set aside as its own pursuit of true love. Like an entity in the night, a holy ghost, music is your girlfriend / boyfriend.. isn’t it?
The wonderful world of Weyes Blood; photograph courtesy of Natalie Mering.
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