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Baker's Dozen

Monumental Simplicity: Anna Von Hausswolff's Favourite Albums
John Freeman , December 8th, 2015 09:51

The Swedish musician talks to John Freeman about the 13 records that "opened doors" and helped create the blueprint for the mighty organ drone of her new album, The Miraculous, before she plays two UK shows

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Paul Giovanni & Magnet - The Wicker Man soundtrack
I have never made a score for a film, but I like to think I am doing a score for a film when I make an album. With a film soundtrack, the artist has to think more of how the pieces are connected to each other and how the album evolves dynamically throughout each song, instead of each song having its own disconnected and separate dynamic from the other songs like a typical pop record. I think that's why I like to put soundtracks on my favourite album list, because as a whole they are amazing as opposed to an album with five amazing songs and then the rest could be kind of crap.

For The Wicker Man, the music is by Paul Giovanni and Magnet. I think this version of the band Magnet was created for this album. I don't know if Magnet exist or made anything else apart from this soundtrack. The music is inspired by Scottish, English and Irish tunes and, for me, overshadows the film in its greatness. I like the film as well - it is a very eccentric horror film and at times it almost becomes a musical. I like how the music is so entwined with the film, so they become as one.

I like the record so much because it connects to the places, culture and the people in The Wicker Man. Magnet and Giovanni have taken something old and made something personal and new from it. I like how music traditions can be passed from one generation to another and be changed a little by each transmittance. I realise that now that film is quite old, but for me it still feels contemporary.