A Conversation with Sad Happy Birthdays
On first listen to the LP Sad Happy Birthday my curiosity prompted a deep dive into the lyrics on this remarkable album. Also I was fascinated by the name of the artist, Sad Happy Birthdays which I quickly discovered is the solo work of Katie Ford. From the scant amount of information on her Bandcamp page I learnt that Ms. Ford is a Japan-based artist of Japanese and Australian heritage, blending dream pop and indie rock. Then she goes onto to explain her music, “soft, nostalgic textures and intimate vocals, the music explores themes of girlhood, memory, and quiet loneliness”. Katie also gives a few clues to her music, “This album is a collection of small, fading moments. Built around themes of nostalgia, imagined girlhood, and quiet loneliness, the songs drift between memory and reality. With soft guitars, hazy textures, and intimate vocals, it lives somewhere between dream pop and indie rock. For late nights, long walks, and the feeling of missing something you can’t quite name”. What she doesn’t reveal in the sleeve notes but does allude to in our conversation is that many of her songs are centered around love fraught with a broken heart and of course, yearning. It was listening to all the songs on Sad Happy Birthday that convinced me to learn more about this talented singer-songwriter who insist that English is not her first language – Japanese is. That she writes and sings in English is admirable but when you listen to her articulate words you’ll understand why I was so intrigued to chat with Katie. So, a Zoom conversation was scheduled. Because of the time difference, it was heading toward late evening my time, while it was just past waking up time the next day for Katie Ford. While she appeared bubbly and animated she admitted that this was not her normal state as she had just woken up and had not yet applied any make-up. Despite her concerns about appearances, Kate was charming and engaging with lots of particulars about her music, performing, Japan and much more. What Katie did not tell me was due to her love of cats, she owns six rescue cats. I discovered that detail by going to her website and carefully used a translation app. You are advised to visit too. Plus, the photo used in this piece is from her website. Listen carefully to our conversation. I’m sure we will more from Sad Happy Birthdays and Katie Ford in the future.
The Music from Sad Happy Birthdays
The Telescopes – I Dream Of Fever
They formed in 1988, I Dream Of Fever is from their19th studio album, Static Charge. The Telescopes known for having an ever revolving line up that can vary between one and twenty people. On this album, The Telescopes are a four piece consisting of The Telescopes founder and protagonist Stephen Lawrie on guitar and vocals, Darrell Carter on guitar, Robert Prest on bass with John Lynch on drums and percussion.
The Prongs – Stanley Milgrim Says
John Fleming and Niall Toner Jr are back, these Dublin lads tell me Stanley Milgrim Says is about how global leaders induce decent people to do terrible things. Without question, The Prongs prove that lit-rock wit and a good tune are not mutually exclusive. Very cool video available too.
Soft Science – Spinning
Sacramento-based outfit Soft Science with Spinning from their fifth album, Sand, scheduled for release later this year. Longtime collaborators Katie Haley, Matt Levine, Ross Levine, Tony Cale and Becky Cale say their new LP promises 10 transportive new songs that balance shimmering beauty with emotional depth. No argument with that.
The Bernadette Maries – Missing Bernadette
Brussels-based band The Bernadette Maries describe their new long-player Soft as somewhere between melancholy and deep gratitude. While I’m still pondering on that you do need to know that these people are making fine music available on the always competent Géographie imprint.
Life Elsewhere 