Gigantic is back with another edition of our ever-popular My Favourite Album blog, and this week we are joined by evocative electronica songwriter HEBE.
Amsterdam based artist HEBE has been impressing listeners right across Europe and beyond with her unique fusion of electro-pop with organic instruments. Taking her cues from soul, emotive folk plus R&B; she has been praised by such essential tastemakers as CLASH and 1883 Magazine plus played stunning performances on Dutch TV show Vrije Geluiden and Theatre Festival De Parade.
Check out her series of incredible EPs, including ‘The Beginning’, ‘Tell Me’ and ‘Cards On The Table’ which just dropped last month. Included are gently beautiful songs ‘Out Of Sight’ and ‘Heal Again’, resplendent songs ‘Hunting Me’ plus ‘Afraid Of Being Hurt’ to finish with the truly remarkable title track. CLICK HERE to hear the ‘Cards On The Table’ EP in full.
Now, HEBE expands her sound and returns to the ‘Cards On The Table’ EP with a wonderfully stripped-down live reworking which she calls her Piano Versions. Using traditional instrumentation, including a Wurlitzer and a grand piano, her delicate voice is revealed as her meaningful delivery adds an extra dimension of emotional resonance.
What Is It?
Feist – ‘Let it Die’
When Was It Released?
2004
Where Did You First Hear It?
I was on a vacation in Paris with my parents. I remember visiting a small shop and the song ‘Lonely Lonely’ by Feist was playing on the radio.
What Does It Mean To You?
I must have been around twelve, perhaps an age where you start wishing for a unique identity and start reflecting on life. As a child you listen to your parents’ music: Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Buena Vista Social Club and Solomon Burke. Hearing this song gave me a sense of uniqueness - I was discovering something that belonged to me for the first time.
Back home I saved money and bought the record (and later also listened to ’Lonely Lonely’ frisbee remix) and I cherish it ever since.
I could listen to the album on my discman over and over again in my room. So many memories and ‘first time’ experiences have been built with the music from this album in the background.
Talk Us Through Your Favourite Songs And Lyrics On The Album
‘Lonely lonely that is you, Lonely Lonely that is you’
‘Lonely lonely that is me, Lonely Lonely that is me’
The lines are simple, but touch something deep. Feist describes what she sees as well as her feelings so very accurate.
It felt liberating to hear somebody sing what I believe I felt and saw, but could not yet put into words myself.
One of my other favourite sentences from the song is: ‘Let it die and get out of my mind. We don't see eye to eye or hear ear to ear’. These words shape a very clear image in my mind.
Anything Else You Want To Add?
There are so many great records that have inspired me, like D’angelo – ‘Brown Sugar’, Bon Iver – ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’, Radiohead – ‘OK computer’ and Aretha Franklin – ‘Aretha Now’, just to name a few. Right now I’m discovering many new artists as well and my taste evolves throughout time, so I’m not listening to this Feist record a lot right now, but I’ll always come back to it every now and then.