Scottish singer-songwriter Louise Connell has released her new single, GOLEM 2020. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Connell is a Scottish singer-songwriter from Airdrie, outside Glasgow. Recording and performing under the name Reverieme, she received considerable critical acclaim for her first studio album, Straw Woman (2016), and her previous acoustic mini-LP Or Else The Light (2015).
Discussing her new single, she says: "The chorus of the song was inspired by a video I watched about how big a human could be, and that you can think of a human as simply the outcome of the tiny photons bouncing around them. It's your basic summer banger, really."
Earlier this year, she released Crossed the Line in collaboration with Irish accordionist Sharon Shannon.
Recently her music caught the attention of renowned artist and designer James Marsh, the creative mind behind iconic sleeves for Talk Talk, amongst many others. Marsh drew inspiration from Connell’s lyrics and designed the original artwork for her trilogy of EPs, Squall, Echo, Rale.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I’m painfully shy and chronically stubborn so I try to do everything myself, from producing my videos and photography (it’s probably a given that I do the music part) to cutting my own hair and guessing my glasses prescription (if you’ve tips for self-surgery, please, let me know); I write most of my songs based on books I’ve read or, increasingly, things that frustrate me about the world - not because I am clever but because I want everyone to think I am; and, finally, I sweat profusely when I’m asked to describe my music.
How would you describe your music?
Oh dear - you did that on purpose. Well, it’s like pop music but not as cool. The main thing I try to do is write a thoughtful lyric and combine it with a melodic hook or two, so hopefully, it sounds like that!
Who are your musical inspirations?
The usuals, I’m afraid! Bob Dylan, Kate Bush, Warren Zevon, Regina Spektor, Joni Mitchell, Jason Isbell . . . I just love great songwriters. If I really want to force myself to write a song at the moment, though, I just watch the news.
How did you occupy yourself during the coronavirus lockdown?
Ah, the usual - gaining several pounds of body fat and frantically washing groceries. Lockdown also afforded me an excess of time in which to write songs and create artwork and produce videos, by which I mean I finally completed Red Dead Redemption 2 on the PlayStation.
What’s your favourite song right now?
The days are getting shorter, so I need a burst of joy during the daily commute. I have a playlist of four whole songs on my phone called Feeling Better, just so I can listen to In the Flowers by Animal Collective once every 20 minutes.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"I am going to make it through this year if it kills me" - from This Year by The Mountain Goats.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life what would it be?
Anyone who’s used their favourite song as an alarm knows how quickly fondness turns to pure hatred. I’ve consulted with my lawyers, though, and we’ve agreed this is a hypothetical question, so let’s say In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.
Where can people find your music/more information?
The best place to find me online is either Bandcamp louiseconnell.bandcamp.com or in the domain of our great overlord Facebook (facebook.com/ConnellLouise).
