My Secret Playlist with TheSeabellies

Fri 6th Feb, 2009 in Features

Formed in mid-late 2005, The Seabellies have quickly built upon the already-considerable reputation of their frontman, Newcastle singer-songwriter Trent Grenell. Joining him on stage is his younger brother, Kyle, along with Antony Martin on piano and keyboard, and guitarist and bassist Eddie Garven.

The most recent additions to the line-up are Sean Kelleher on drums and Stephanie Setz, rounding out the band and taking on the viola, metalaphone, melodica, keys, and anything else the band can find to add into the mix of sounds.

Broken Social Scene – Ibi Dreams of Pavement
This song appeals to me no matter what mood I am in as it has that perfect blend of pain, despair and celebration, all rolled into one. It’s always a little confusing to listen to, because it feel like fun hurt, and that is the beauty. It has the best siren guitars and drum-fills award to boot.

Björk – Unison
I think Vespertine is Björk’s finest album, the guidebook on how to make beautiful, blippy electronica, with a really strong focus on fully realised songs. This song is minimalist blip at its finest, mixed with the greatest swirling cinematic chorus in the history of sweeps. This song slays me every time.

Sun Kil Moon – Carry Me Ohio
One of the loneliest songs ever recorded. Probably the best song to go driving to when things just ain’t right in life. Mark Kozelek has something in his voice that just hurts so right. It’s such a simple song, one to dredge up memories and thoughts of what might have been.

Wolf Parade – I’ll Believe Anything
I fucking love this band. Simple as that. This one of the most awesomely simple mixes of beat and melody in the history of bashiness. It is so brash, chaotic and spacious. It feels like you are in the garage with them, stoned.

Gerling – Fight Revolution Team
A beautiful mess of up-tempo messy ‘feet instead of hands’ drums, loose guitars and handclaps. This song feels like a lost summer or something. Unforunately no longer together, Gerling made killer records mish mashing sunny guitars and loose live beats with melodic electronica.

Animal Collective – For Reverend Green
I never have any idea what the hell Animal Collective are on about, all I know is it always blows my mind. The guitar and vocal melodies in this song are really beautiful, the way they all slide around, and the constant broken pounding and screams punch it along without ever exploding. I like that feeling of never quite getting there.

The Rosebuds – Let Us Go
Bom bom bom bom. I just realised how many of my favourite tracks are lonely songs for the empty road. I much prefer The Rosebuds when they sound organic, like this. The tone, reverb and space on this track help the understated nature of this little beauty.

The Veils – One Night On Earth
We were fortunate enough to tour with The Veils last year, and they are an amazing band. Intense, moody and poetic, at times, this song is one of their more ‘release’ releases. Finn Andrews has an amazing voice, and it trembles so right in this track. And I’m such a sucker for thumping drums cutting through swirling strings.

For more Secret Playlists from your favourite bands, visit mysecretplaylist.com

Words by Trent Grenell and Zolton Zavos