CMU Playlists

Playlist: Efterklang

By | Published on Saturday 13 March 2010

Efterklang have been a favourite on the CMU stereo ever since their debut album ‘Tripper’, but it was their second offering, last year’s ‘Parades’, and the simply stunning live shows that came with it that really made us fall in love with them. Their rich, orchestral sound with nods to post-rock and an ear for good pop should be required listening for every man, woman and child.

The band’s new LP, ‘Magic Chairs’, sees them return in a more understated fashion. The same elements that made up ‘Parades’ remain, but more space is placed between them. If the previous effort was designed to dominate rooms, this is aimed at being more intimate, connecting with the listener on a one-to-one basis, rather than enveloping them and all around them.

We asked band leader Casper Clausen to put together a list of songs that have inspired him and the group for that playlist thing we do. And, you know what? He did.

CASPER CLAUSEN’S TEN
Click here to listen to Casper’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about his selections.

01 Scott Walker – Copenhagen
What a song, and that’s where I live.

02 Holly Miranda – Slow Burn Treason
Holly’s album has had the same effect on me as the Bon Iver debut had. I’ve had it on repeat for a month now, and I can’t get enough. It feels like consuming your favourite cake. I know at some point I’ll have to put it aside for a long time, because I’ve had way too much. But right now, I’m in the middle of the feast, and it feels wonderful. This song was the first one I heard off the album. The TV On The Radio appearance is a match made in heaven.

03 Kurt Vile – Freak Train
This entire record reminds me of our European tour in autumn 2009. We played it over and over again. Perfect music for the lonesome roads.

04 Oh No Ono – Swim
Oh yes, a Danish tip, as well. Here’s one we all really love. They’ve just signed to our old and beloved record label, The Leaf Label. The album ‘Eggs’ is a spectacular journey through surreal soundscapes and breathtaking productions.

05 Jonny Greenwood – Open Spaces
An amazing soundtrack for an amazing movie (‘There Will Be Blood’). Just listen to those strings… Makes time stand still for a while.

06 Einstürzende Neubauten – Silence Is Sexy
For hardcore Einstürzende Neubauten fans this album probably isn’t the exact peak of their career. But to us, this album was our first introduction to the band around 2002 , and we were completely blown away. It was such an inspiration listening to this music. Take this track following the amount of time it takes Blixa Bargeld to smoke a cigarette. Silence is sexy.

07 Screaming Jay Hawkins – I Put A Spell On You
Oh, I love this song! You can’t play this anywhere, without the whole room flipping towards you, with the most amazing facial expressions saying: “What is this?” What a voice, and on top of that a sax solo that most likely takes the prize for the best I’ve ever heard. The movie ‘Stranger Than Paradise’ introduced me to this song, and I’m forever grateful!

08 Mantler – Togethernest
Just started listening to this brilliant Canadian artist out of Toronto. While setting up for a soundcheck in Coventry sometime last autumn, the house engineer played his new album, and I was completely spellbound. That album is unfortunately not out yet, but until then here’s a sweet little tune from his album ‘Landau’ from 2004.

09 Robert Wyatt – Maryan
A friend of mine sent me this album, ‘Shleep’, a couple of years ago, writing: “Have you heard this before? If not, I bet you’ll like it”, and he was right. I’d never heard Robert Wyatt’s music, but I immediately fell in love with it. I now think of how many times I’ve heard this album on late nights and early mornings. In Efterklang we’ve actually talked quite a few times about doing a cover of this exact song, but why would we, this is all you need, right?

10 Jens Lekman – The Opposite Of Hallelujah
Jens never fails to cheer me up.

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