Our Song of the Day is from the wonderfully talented and sharp-witted Lail Arad who has Leonard Cohen taking pride of place on her musical heroes mantlepiece. Her admiration for his work has led to a love song…1934 (A Song For Leonard Cohen).
The new single is taken from her forthcoming second album. To launch the single she’s having a double celebration with Lenny’s 80th birthday in September (details below). I’m sure a dream come true would be for him to waltz on in whilst she’s on stage singing this song…nothing wrong with dreams.
“The story behind writing the L.C song is too full of coincidences to explain. It all began by staring at his handsome picture on the front cover of Sylvie Simmons’ biography. It started as a joke. I hope it makes him laugh.”
London-born and raised, Lail’s first record Someone New (2011) made headlines in France (where her label was at the time) and Germany (where her single Everyone is Moving to Berlin soundtracked many a hipster’s migration experience).
After a long time touring (opening for Herman Dune, Jeffrey Lewis and ending up on stage with Devendra Banhart), Lail took her time with the “difficult second album”, writing and erasing, demoing and dallying, finally co-producing the record between NYC and Geneva.
1934 (A Song For Leonard Cohen) was produced with Eric Hoegemeyer at The Tree Laboratory in Brooklyn.
If you want a little insight into the mind of Lail Arad then read our 2010 interview and check her Mango Mix she did for us around the same time:
Lail Arad’s Mango Mix by Folk Radio Uk on Mixcloud
Playlist
Teresa Brewer – The Banjo’s Back in Town
The Do – Stay
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – Janglin
Little Joy – Brand New Start
Coming Soon – Jack Nicholson Style
Herman Dune – Baby Baby you’re my Baby
Lulu and the Lampshades – Feet to the Sky
Moriarty – Jimmy
Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard – Roll Bus Roll
Amadou and Mariam – Senegal Fast Food
Devendra Banhart – Angelika
Lail Arad – Everyone is Moving to Berlin
Vampire Weekend – White Sky
Talking Heads – Sugar on my Tongue
Patti Smith – Gloria
Mungo Jerry – In the Summertime
Bob Dylan and the Band – Apple Sucking Tree
The Kinks – Apeman
Leon Russell – The Shoe Fits
Leonard Cohen’s 80th Birthday Party / Lail Arad’s 1934 Single Launch
When: 22 September at 19:30
Where: Underbelly, Hoxton Square
11 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU London
Tickets & Further Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1502115773360123/
https://www.facebook.com/lailaradmusic