St. Vincent – Live at Villa Ada, Rome – July 8, 2015 – Recorded for RAI-Radio 2 – RAI, Rome –
St. Vincent to end the week and start another – recorded live at Villa Ada in Rome by RAI Radio2 for their Radio2 Live series on July 8, 2015.
Annie Erin Clark, known professionally as St. Vincent, is an American musician, singer, songwriter and producer. She began her music career as a member of the Polyphonic Spree. She was also a member of Sufjan Stevens’s touring band before forming her own band in 2006. Her debut album is Marry Me (2007), followed by Actor (2009), Strange Mercy (2011), St. Vincent (2014), Masseduction (2017) and Daddy’s Home (2021).
Possessing a mezzo-soprano voice, Clark’s music has been noted for its wide array of instruments and complex arrangements, as well as its polysemous lyrics, which have been described as teetering between “happiness and madness”.In response, Clark has said, “I like when things come out of nowhere and blindside you a little bit. I think any person who gets panic attacks or has an anxiety disorder can understand how things can all of a sudden turn very quickly. I think I’m sublimating that into the music.” In addition to guitar, Clark also plays bass, piano, organ, and theremin. Her music also often features violins, cellos, flutes, trumpets, clarinets, and other instruments. Her musical style has been characterised as rock, pop, art rock and indie rock, incorporating a wide range of influences including experimental rock, chamber rock, electropop, soft rock, and cabaret jazz.
Clark mentioned that singers such as David Bowie and Kate Bush had inspired her, as had Jimi Hendrix and Siouxsie and the Banshees. She said in a 2015 lecture she listens to a Bowie track every day, and that “It’s No Game (Part One)” was her favorite. Talking Heads, Patti Smith and Pink Floyd are also influences, as well as guitarists Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew (both from King Crimson), Marc Ribot and Adam Jones from Tool.
Enjoy the show – As has often been the case, and is the case again – the Italian announcers get a little carried away in spots and run the risk of stepping on intros and outros of songs. Small price to pay, but a price nonetheless. Just as long as you know that before you hit the play button, but I thought you should know in case it comes as a shock.
