Swell Season: There's plenty more to be had past Oscar

So remember when there was that mini-controversy a while back as to whether or not "Falling Slowly" from "Once" would be eligible for an Oscar?  Seems like a distant memory, but oh how the Oscars would have suffered had it ruled against the duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.

The Swell Season performance stood out on the Oscar telecast, as the winning song "Falling Slowly" owns a beautifully simple melody that allows for the emotion in the lyrics to be laid bare. Hansard's acoustic guitar plays give-and-take with Irglova's piano, the pace in the song mirroring the ups-and-downs of a relationship. Without the song in the race, the Oscar telecast largely would have been one big "Enchanted" fest.

Indeed, "Falling Slowly" stood in stark contrast to the others in the Oscar song race -- a small, independent, artist-driven turn going against larger studio songs and productions. The songs from "Enchanted," as nice as they are with a touch of Disney magic, are pure movie creations, and they fell flat on the Oscar stage. And "Raise It Up" from "August Rush" is gospel light, noteworthy more for its 11-year-old singer than for its verses.

The right song won, and hopefully it brings more viewers to "Once," and more listeners to the Swell Season. For all the press and attention "Once" has received, it's still largely a cult hit. The film has  brought in only $16 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, compared to the $53 million that the much more maligned "August Rush" has raked in.

The Swell Season catalog is deeper than "Falling Slowly." A glimpse of it can be had later this week for those whose cable/satellite providers provide access to Ovation TV. On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Swell Season will appear on the latest episode of the live concert series the Artist's Den. A spring DVD release will follow.

The performance, enhanced by members of Hansard's band the Frames, not only highlights the passion of the Swell Season's music (the harrowing harmonies of "This Low," or the dizzying piano of the anger-fueled "When Your Mind's Made Up"), but showcases Hansard's storytelling ability. Before singing an acoustic version of the Frames' heartache tale "Lay Me Down," Hansard reveals that the song was inspired by a goth girl he dated as a teenager. The relationship took a tumble after he bought her a Christmas gift he was sure would appeal to her dark sensibilities: an empty grave.

But in the meantime, most will probably be talking about Irglova's Oscar acceptance speech, one of the most memorable moments from last night's awards. She was cut off by the Oscar orchestra, and later brought back on by Jon Stewart. Irglova made use of the moment, as you can see above, by giving a speech about independence and artistry.

  Photo by Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Mike D]

After seeing "Once" again this weekend, I was struck again by the honesty and creativity and beauty involved. This movie, and it's very moving music, has much greater emotional impact on me than the winner of the "Best Picdture" award. I'm recommending "Once" and "The Swell Season" to all I know.

[FairplayCollective]

All of your friends here in New York would like to congratulate both Glen and Marketa for their enormous win at the oscars.

We are so proud of you guys. It's like you are holding the oscar up for all independent musicians and songwriters to dare to dream and to reach for the stars.

It's wonderful to see that independent artists can stand tall and win against the machine. So to all independent artists out there as Glen said "Make Art".

God Bless You Both!

[Don]

Finally something that the media/marketing machine didn't create is recognized. Let us have a little more of that please.

[Margaret]

Kudos to Jon Stewart for his role in bringing Marketa Irglova back to give her graceful and uplifting speech.

[Candace]

I was so happy that they won that I jumped out of my seat and squealed in delight, much to the amusement of all of my friends. I've been telling them about Once, the Swell Season and The Frames since I discovered them this summer. They are all amazing and I've seen The Frames twice and the Swell Season since wondering into that movie theatre last July. The other contestants in the category were honestly subpar in comparison. The right song won.

[rich]

This movie was sooo... good.
One of the best I ever saw,

[Corinne Avila]

I am so pleased to hear that such young indie talent finally have a voice in the over-publicized image of the media. Its about time struggling independent artists get the recognition they deserve. Good Job to both Glen and Marketa for a win well-deserved. Hopefully this win will encourage others to breakthrough and "make art." Because we all like a little creativity sometime.

[Corinne Avila]

I am so pleased to hear that such young indie talent finally have a voice in the over-publicized image of the media. Its about time struggling independent artists get the recognition they deserve. Good Job to both Glen and Marketa for a win well-deserved. Hopefully this win will encourage others to breakthrough and "make art." Because we all like a little creativity sometime.

[Eoin]

I'm thrilled that Glen and Marketa won. I've been a Frames fan since the early 90s, and there were times early on when the band could have disappeared but Glen stuck at it. Well done mate, you deserve it. On a personal note, as an independent Irish writer myself, the success of Once, not just at the Oscars but everywhere, is vindication that you don't need big money to make an impact. For that, Glen, Marketa and John Carney are an inspiration. Thank you.