Skip to main content

*Imaginary soundtracks for books #1 : NIGHTWOOD by Djuna Barnes (1936)*

 Ever imagined what the soundtrack of a book could be? I imagined one for NIGHTWOOD, one of my favourite novels. 

Nightwood was writen by American author Djuna Barnes and published in 1936. It is cryptic, intense and bittersweet. A most explosive account of human relationships in a pure and raw form. It is as visceral as it is beautiful. A daring piece of literature that is still challenging in our days. 


* Tracklist*

- Amy Denio/Orkestar Istina - L'abbraccione

- Laurie Anderson - Strange Angels

- Josephine Foster - The lap of your lust

- Björk/Arca - The gate 

- Julia Holter - In the same room

- Marissa Nadler/Symon Raymonde - The path of the clouds

- Portishead - Wandering Star

- Grouper - The way her hair falls

- Jenny Hval - The plague

- Anna von Hausswolff - Stranger

- RAKTA - Fim do mundo

- Sevdaliza - Eden

- Coco Rosie - Smokey Taboo

- Julee Cruise - Floating

- Weyes Blood - Movies

- Chelsea Wolfe - Lone

If it strikes your fancy, you can listen to it here: 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6frc2GvpkMyQr3QvHACDZk?si=e8fbb81d222b4e9e



“We are but skin about a wind, with muscles clenched against mortality. We sleep in a long reproachful dust against ourselves. We are full to the gorge with our own names for misery. Life, the pastures in which the night feeds and prunes the cud that nourishes us to despair. Life, the permission to know death. We were created that the earth might be made sensible of her inhuman taste; and love that the body might be so dear that even the earth should roar with it. Yes, we who are full to the gorge with misery should look well around, doubting everything seen, done, spoken, precisely because we have a word for it, and not its alchemy.”

― Djuna Barnes, Nightwood


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

*Khruangbin - LateNightTales*

  A brilliant and accessible double LP that showcases Khruangbin favourite tracks and influences providing an actual sonic globetrotting experience. The journey starts with "Illuminations" featuring Alice Coltrane and Santana, a spiritual intro for an incredible journey. The second track "I know that (when the spring times comes)" by Brilliantes del Vuelo is a mellow dubby reggae inspired track that gives a way to the more energetic "Khushi" by Nazia Hassan, a bittersweet quasi disco sounding track. "DRM" by Kelly Doyle is a rather short but breezy instrumental song that keeps the spirit of the sonic traveller alive. Side B starts up with "Don't go" by the south korean rock pioneers Sanullim, a very 80's new wave delight type of song. "I like it (don't stop)" by Maxwell Udoh is a rather amusing disco type song with romantic lyrics, very danceable stuff. "Enseñame" featuring David Marez is a lounge type so...

*Tiago Guillul - V*

  Indie pop by Tiago Guillul. Recorded in a studio and with guests like Rui Reininho, Tiago Guillul moves from his lo-fi days to a well produced and clean cut album. "A Febre em 1993" is a really adorable and catchy song that is one of the highlights of this album, using dancing and funky samples with some playful arrangements. "Nabucodonosor" named after one of the kings in the bible, is a really jangley song with collaborations from Rui Reininho in the vocals. Released by Florcaveira, this album has some religious inspired lyrics and most songs were built upon evangelical songs from all over the world, but that isn't exactly a surprise since it's Tiago Guillul. Overall, a candy bomb of an album of enjoyable and clever indie pop. 

*Jonzun Crew - Lost in Space*

  Spectacular funky hip-hop from the 80's. The group was led by Michael Jonzun and his brothers Maurice Starr, Sonny and Carl. The group was highly influenced by Afrika Bambaatta, they wore wigs like Mozart and dominated the electroboogie sound like bands such as Parliament.  All the tracks are great and unique. Wonderful band that has yet to find its real listeners. The green solid reissue is gorgeous.  Interesting for fans of Daft Punk.