Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season (theswellseason.com).
In 2007, their movie “Once” was a huge breakout hit.
Music and love in the streets of Dublin. Raw romance. An Oscar. And the compelling twist that these musicians — Ireland’s Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of the Czech Republic — were actually in love.
They’re not now, but they’re still making music, and with us today.
This hour, On Point: Marketa Irglova, Glen Hansard and their new album, “Strict Joy.”
You can join the conversation. Tell us what you think — here on this page, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
-Tom Ashbrook
Guests:
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season join us in our studio. Songwriter, guitarist and singer, Hansard is a founding member of the Irish rock outfit The Frames. Irglova, a Czech-born classically trained pianist, also writes songs, plays piano and sings for The Swell Season. Together, Hansard and Irglova starred in the 2006 film “Once.” They shared an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly” from the “Once” soundtrack. Their new album, “Strict Joy,” is just out.
In today’s show, we were surprised and delighted when Glen and Marketa performed a new song (so new it’s yet to be named). Here it is, from the On Point studio:
And here they talked about how their relationship has evolved…
More links:
You can hear songs from the new album at The Swell Season’s site.
Listen to The Swell Season performing at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, at NPR.org.
Read an interview with Hansard and Irglova from Pitchfork.com.
I heard y’all play at Stubbs in Austin and was totally swept away. We were the crowd that snapped our fingers, silently filing out upon your request. It is easily the best show I’ve been to – thanks for staying passionate, thanks for continuing with your beautiful music.
Posted by Walker, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:23 AMI used to play The Frames, Glen Hansard’s band, on my college radio show in 2004 and 2005. I was wondering what inspired Glen to change his sound to something softer and more “acoustic”?
Posted by Danielle, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:25 AMI loved Once, and thought that Glen’s Oscar acceptance speech was one of the great, rare, real moments. Make art!
I think my connection to their music is that it comes across as genuine, not crafted to reach a particular demographic, but out of an artist’s need to express him/herself. The line from Falling Slowly, “You have suffered enough and warred with yourself, it’s time that you won” never fails to move me. I’m so glad to hear that there is a new album and can’t wait to devour it.
Posted by Sue McConnell, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:27 AMCan Glen and Marketa talk about the song Star, Star?
Specifically the part where with the theme from the happy ending of Charlie and Chocolate factory… it always makes me smile.
I always wanted to know if Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) was an influence at all for Star Star or to Glen and Marketa in general.
Love the music, thanks for sharing your thoughts and please tour more in the Southeastern US!!
Posted by Richard, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:31 AMRichard
Augusta GA
I fell in and out of love with a prominent busker here in Boston and filmed a music video with her about playing music in the streets of Boston (we were married for a brief time). To see the movie Once was like holding up a mirror to my soul. It brought up all the feelings of the noble cause of sharing art in its rawest form and the strength of the feelings that can be generated in that process. I can’t think of a Movie that has touched me in such a direct way. I’m happy to see that Hansard and Irglova are still on a common path.
Posted by David K, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:35 AMHey -
You guys used to have a webcam with a live feed from the studio… why did you off it? If a live feed of everything is a problem, why not do excepts on YouTube a la Leonard Lopate?
BTW Tom Ashbrook still needs to crank down the hyperbolic tone on just about all these programs… false sense of importance, false sense of urgency, false sense of reverence, over-the-top insincere modesty… honestly he is barely listenable. Check out Leonard Lopate, Brian Lehrer, Diane Rehm, Warren Olney and see how it can be done really well without all the hype and unctiousness…
Thanks.
Posted by Sojourner, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:35 AMLove your haunting melodies, would love to hear you in concert. But, alas I live in Florida, southwest, and I don’t see any dates in Florida. Please consider including us in future tours.
Posted by Patricia Shrader, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:39 AMI remember watching the Ocsars and being so touched by the “realness” of Hansard and Irglo in the midst of all the glitter of Hollywood. When they performed the song with the line “take this sinking ship and point it home we still have time” I found it so powerful because I thought of what our country was going through at the time.
Posted by Inga, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:41 AMI just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the movie and in particular the sound-track (blah, blah, blah but with love!
. I was recently checking out your website and was astounded and delighted with the artwork. I LOVE the posters, they’re absolutely fantastic! Three cheers for you both – you are truly celebrating art on multiple levels (music, poetry, graphic design and film) and INSPIRING other to do so as well.
Hope you are enjoying the tour and wishing you both well,
Posted by Bronwyn Kane, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:44 AMBronwyn
My thoughts on your collaboration will not be popular:
While I agree, your music is beautiful and haunting, and for many months the song “Drown out” got me through a difficult time, I am disturbed by the degree to which you “advertise” the relationship you have found together, its depths and its developments. It sounds to me like you stumbled into a sacred place together; such things should perhaps not be used for marketing purposes?
Posted by Lisa Hiserodt, on November 6th, 2009 at 11:44 AMI loved the movie and their music. I have to say though, that I was always wishing I could hear Marketa’s voice a little better and that her voice would be allowed to dominate more often.
Posted by Heather, on November 6th, 2009 at 12:08 PMHad I posted sooner I would’ve liked to ask them about the nature of their collaborative relationship. In my experience when working in collaboration with males artists, I have found that they have been unwilling to compromise their artistic visions. Perhaps it was a product of the chemistry of those particular combinations but I’d be interested to hear them talk honestly about their feelings about their roles in collaboration. Does either feel he/she has to let go of cherished input more or less than the other? There seems to be no resentment between them (perhaps that’s what sets them apart)- but speaking for myself, I sure would like to hear Marketa’s voice come closer to the surface!
Great show, as usual, Tom. Thanks to you all.
It was great to hear Glen and Mar and their new songs. But Tom, did you have to ask such insensitive and intrusive questions into their personal lives? They’re just trying to do their jobs and promote their new work. They didn’t sign up for Star Magazine treatment. They handled the questions well and are honest good people. They deserve better than to be treated like Kate and Jon Goselin. And their beautiful work will eclipse any intrusion into their private life.
Posted by Neve, on November 6th, 2009 at 1:44 PMYour music moves the heart, it’s a pleasure to listen to your words and melodies.
I wonder how you both got involved in the movie Once and what changed your lives during and after the movie?
Best,
Posted by Sandi Williams, on November 6th, 2009 at 8:39 PMSandi
Every tv show, radio show and news article they get questions about their relationship. It must be very awkward for them and a very sensitive topic. They are all about music, I wish we could all focus on their beautiful craft. Love the new song!!! Love the new album. Looking forward to seeing them perform in Los Angeles. Love you Glen & Mar!
Posted by deedub, on November 9th, 2009 at 9:31 PMI agree with those who are tired of Tom Ashbrook’s style. I also get annoyed with 1) the fake stammering, and 2) asking a question three different ways without letting anyone think about the first one.
Posted by end, on November 18th, 2009 at 8:49 PMI also agree that Marketa should have a little more air time. Can you really say she and Glen sang that new song?
I’m delighted to get to hear and see them again, anyway.