Scotland-born, Denmark-based Scottish-born producer, composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Clarissa Connelly first gained international attention with Tech Duinn (2018), a hypnotic EP named after a spiritual gateway in Celtic myth.
Her second album, The Voyager (2021), received global acclaim and was awarded the prestigious Nordic Music Prize. She signed to Warp in 2023 and the following year released the highly-lauded album World of Work, which draws inspiration from visionary literature, dreams, and meditative walks.
On May 22 in the National Concert Hall, Clarissa joins Saint Sister, Rachael Lavelle and Hatis Noit for Festival of Voice: Ecstatic Visions. This one-off concert sees four iconoclastic voices reimagine their songs for voice and choir with conductor David Brophy and the festival of Voice Chorus.
We asked Clarissa for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
Ingmar Bergman's Fanny och Alexander. When I first saw this film, I was convinced. The editing in the scene where the mummified figure and Ismael both turn their heads during the fire is masterful. But something happens beyond the frame of this scene. It's not only about how editing and acting can create a sense of wonder; could this film be proof that magic exists?
MUSIC
Diving into the great wonders of the Yamaha CS-80. It’s a synthesizer that has made so many great songs epic. From Bruce Springsteen’s Tougher Than The Rest to Vangelis’ Blade Runner soundtrack (and all Vangelis) to Brian Eno’s By This River to Kate Bush’s All We Ever Look For and Babooshka (she also used the Fairlight in both these songs, mixed beautifully together with the CS-80) and ofc…. Toto’s Africa, hee hee. The sound of the CS-80 is so recognisable, and I think it’s wonderful to hear how this synth has created so much depth, broadness and warmth to so many great songs.
BOOK
At the moment I'm reading Tarjei Vesaas’ The Birds. Read all of Vesaas—you won’t regret it. This winter was extra cold and frosty, and I was reading Vesaas’ The Ice Palace; it broke my heart open, and ice and beauty streamed through it. The Birds is mentioned as being his masterpiece, and if you get the edition where Judith Hermann wrote the afterword, then you have an extra treasure right there.
THEATRE
Oscar Wilde’s plays. If I have time while I'm in Dublin, I will check if there are any Oscar Wilde plays going on. In Denmark, it’s been years since one of his plays has been staged. The musical Waitress and An Ideal Husband are playing during my stay, and I hope to catch one of them.
TV
I always feel like I'm behind on what my friends are watching. Hmmm. I think the latest great series I saw was Brideshead Revisited. Slow television from 1981. It’s very British, and it's fascinating to see how divided classes were back then; getting that perspective today makes you realise what a bad state we are in. Class differences are only getting worse. I love watching the 1980s perspective on life in the 1920s, and then viewing that from today’s perspective. There are so many interesting layers to think about.
GIG
Festival of Voice: Ecstatic Visions at the National Concert Hall on the 22nd of May. I’ll be performing at the National Concert Hall on the 22nd of May. I’m excited to see how the other artists' work has been rearranged for vocals. To me, choral music is unique because it manages to be both soothing and ecstatic.
ART
My Friend Kamil Dossar just had an extraordinary solo exhibition in CPH at Overgaden. I would recommend everyone take a step into his world of systemic migration, state structures, and erased identities.
TECH
I'm sorry, but I've kind of logged off for a while. I don't have any tech recommendations at the moment. Maybe take a look at the birds for 20 minutes each morning outside and see how many you have around you. Cut open an apple and see the blackbird come down singing for you. Sow some wild native Irish wildflower seeds and help the insects back to your neighborhood.
It reminds me, the Blindboy Podcast—he mentions this also. I recommend listening to the Blindboy Podcast. I'm such a big fan and I hope someday he’ll come see my show! But I know he lives in Limerick city, so he probably won't be in Dublin at the time, but if you are Blindboy, I’ll give you a plus one!
THE NEXT BIG THING...
The Blindboy Podcast is already a big thing.
Festival of Voice: Ecstatic Visions is at the National Concert Hall, Dublin on May 22 - find out more here
