Back in June, US group The Antlers delivered the stunning album Familiars – their first in three years. We touched base with the band who, with the help of Rdio, have delivered a playlist of 11 songs they were listening to while making the record. Peter Silberman (Singer and Songwriter) brings us the first five tracks and Darby Cicci (Trumpet/Bass/Keys/Synths/Vocals) chose the rest.
1. ‘Violence’ – Low
“Low is one of my farorite bands. I get into phases of listening to only them for months, and time seems to slow down. I’m forever in awe of their ability to sustain their beautiful voices, stretching one word into eternity”’
2. Nightwolf – Bohren & Der Club Of Gore
”These guys fascinate me. They play glacially-paced jazz that’s at once immensely heavy and light, separating beats by miles but never losing the feel.”
3. ’Taphead’ – Talk Talk
”The entirety of Laughing Stock (and Spirit of Eden) is perfect. This is one of the less obvious tracks, but I found myself continually returning to it making our record, partly for the moment about halfway through when the band kicks in, barely audibly unless you’re paying attention.”
4. ‘Caecilia’ – Fennesz
”About halfway through this track, a transformation occurs- from drifting noise it all at once becomes a trip through summer nostalgia. This is what memory sounds like.”
5. ‘Cargo Culte’ – Serge Gainsbourg
”Serge is alright, but the sound of his band is what really grabs me here. They’re so tight and minimal-minded, finding groove with no clutter.”
6. ’Daydream’ – Kenny Burrell and Grover Washington Jr.
”Simple and elegant. Profoundly haunting sax line from Grover Washington Jr. has been echoing in my head the past 15 years since I first heard it.”
7. ’Bandits’ – Midlake
”I modeled most of my piano playing on Familiars on Midlake’s The Trials of Van Occupanther. Playful chord voicings, Delicate and soulful. The sound of this song is just so perfectly balanced with the lyrics – the feeling of wanting to give up everything and start over.”
8. ’Let’s Go Away For Awhile’ – The Beach Boys
”How Brian Wilson ever got away with an instrumental track on a Beach Boys record boggles my mind grapes. Beautiful dynamics”
9. ’These Arms of Mine’ – Otis Redding
”I listened to this song probably about 40 times in a row one day. Lovely way to spend an afternoon It’s as perfect as any soul song can get.”
10. ‘Who’ll Stop the Rain’ – Creedence Clearwater Revival
”Creedence has pretty much always reminds me of summer car rides with my Dad when I was a kid. Listening to the oldies station, windows down, hot Alabama sun. Making Familiars, I conjured as many of those memories as I could. Places and people instead of specific events. Timeless and peaceful.”
11. ’Warszawa’- David Bowie
”‘Low’ s definitely my favorite David Bowie record, probably because Brian Eno pretty much made the entire thing. This song is a really great example of how synthesizers can be as organic as any other instrument in the hands of a master. Simultaneous remorse and triumph.”
Can’t listen to the songs above? Click HERE to try access the playlist on Rdio directly.
