Swell Season Splinter for 'Strict Joy' Songwriting

Posted on Oct 29th 2009 2:00PM by Mike Ayers
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It's been well documented that the Swell Season -- the soulful, folk duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova -- became a couple during the aftermath of their smash hit movie 'Once' and subsequently broke up. But that didn't have any bearing on making another record -- the duo are back this week with 'Strict Joy,' a 12-song set that builds upon the subtle, heartwrenching ballads that lined the work in 'Once.' Oddly enough, the songwriting this time mirrored this split, albeit unintentionally.

"It's different because we're not in each other's company as we were before," Hansard tells Spinner. "It was 24/7. When there are two people catching an idea from its infancy, it can take a different shape than if that person had just thought about it themselves. Certainly when it comes to creating things, when someone has an idea and the other person is present, the idea changes."

Hansard goes on to say that much of the album was written in their own separate ways, a process that he's been quite familiar with over the years. But for Irglova, he says it's something newer for her. Songs such as 'Fantasy Man' and 'I Have Loved You Wrong' highlight her vocals within an intricate, orchestrated context. And from the sounds of it, we're lucky to get these nuggets.

"What's happening to Mar -- and it's a compliment -- she's writing these beautiful songs but doesn't feel the necessary need to record them or document them," Hansard explains. "They exist for an hour in a room and they're gone. I'm more of a collector -- I collect an idea. When it's out, I like it."

Listen to the Swell Season's 'Strict Joy'

Watch the Swell Season Live 15 Failed Bandmate Love Affairs