Appears he played a little set at Rough Trade at least.
https://t.co/VBG08RqwBg?amp=1
Here’s a new interview as well: https://therecoup.com/2019/10/25/pull-up-a-chair-for-a-spoken-gem-a-conversation-with-sean-ohagan/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 25 October 2019 21:50 (four years ago) link
Have you officially retired The High Llamas?Not officially, no, and I don’t consider them as such. But what needs to happen, and I am desperately trying to make happen, is to get the rights back to our label output from the Nineties. They’re owned by Universal, who are extremely reluctant to do anything with our catalog, and I’ve really been wanting to get them remastered and pressed on vinyl, and maybe do an expanded series like Stereolab have done. If we can get that to happen, we’ll tour. Maybe not a full-scale tour, but perhaps residencies where we play one or two albums a night over two or three nights. If we can get those albums reissued, we’ll definitely tour. Maybe we’ll do a new record to go along with them. Then we might use that as an opportunity to officially retire—it would be a great way to close that book, don’t you think?Agreed. But you know, if you do decide to make one last record, you have to title it Sean O’Hagan.(Confused) What? What do you mean?? I don’t…(Pauses, then bursts into uproarious laughter). Joseph, my friend, that is brilliant! I simply must do that, you’re absolutely right! What an absolutely perfect way to bookend it all
Not officially, no, and I don’t consider them as such. But what needs to happen, and I am desperately trying to make happen, is to get the rights back to our label output from the Nineties. They’re owned by Universal, who are extremely reluctant to do anything with our catalog, and I’ve really been wanting to get them remastered and pressed on vinyl, and maybe do an expanded series like Stereolab have done. If we can get that to happen, we’ll tour. Maybe not a full-scale tour, but perhaps residencies where we play one or two albums a night over two or three nights. If we can get those albums reissued, we’ll definitely tour. Maybe we’ll do a new record to go along with them. Then we might use that as an opportunity to officially retire—it would be a great way to close that book, don’t you think?
Agreed. But you know, if you do decide to make one last record, you have to title it Sean O’Hagan.
(Confused) What? What do you mean?? I don’t…(Pauses, then bursts into uproarious laughter). Joseph, my friend, that is brilliant! I simply must do that, you’re absolutely right! What an absolutely perfect way to bookend it all
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 25 October 2019 21:55 (four years ago) link
Some typically fantastic outros on the new one
― afriendlypioneer, Sunday, 27 October 2019 14:06 (four years ago) link
The 6 November London Show at Cafe Oto is still on, I believe (which is good because I have a ticket for that). Only shows planned from 9 November onwards are postponed.
― Jeff W, Sunday, 27 October 2019 14:59 (four years ago) link
https://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/sean-ohagan
He's giving good interviews.
“The music that is coming out of this generation of say, 17 to 37-year-olds, is the best it has been for years. They have finally cast off the past but are able to reference it in a healthy way. There’s this esoteric, creative jazz popping out everywhere. Hip hop is so old now it almost has the legacy and weight of jazz. It’s got such a history and presence that finds itself in this great contemporary music that we hear so much in the UK and US”. He compares Khalid to Marvin Gaye (“that Talk track he did with Disclosure – if Marvin Gaye released that people would be saying it is one of his best songs”) and likens Kadhja Bonet to the 1960s psychedelic soul outfit Rotary Connection. He goes on to praise the likes of Frank Ocean, Steve Lacy, The Internet, Mount Kimbie, Empirical and new(ish) Coventry band Batsch. “I don’t see a demarcation between musical eras. A problem I do see is my personal contemporaries who say there’s nothing interesting being released now. He suddenly remembers Tyler, The Creator – “nutty old Tyler, what a joy!” – and when we talk about some of the amazing short instrumental tracks on Radum Calls, Radum Calls he remarks how he was going to leave them off the album “but then I listened to Tyler, The Creator do them and I thought fuck it – if Tyler’s doing it, I’ll do it!”. It’s refreshing and inspiring to hear a musician who has just entered his 60s talk in such animated, heartfelt, excited tones about contemporary music.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 28 October 2019 14:30 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca63gRUHSeA
― afriendlypioneer, Thursday, 31 October 2019 14:43 (four years ago) link
Finally got around to putting this up. Might have to try a re-encode though as youtube seems to've fucked the upload :/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVmIE7_bGfY
― Brainless Addlepated Timid Muddleheaded Awful No-Account (Pheeel), Monday, 4 November 2019 20:36 (four years ago) link
Oh my goodness. That's fantastic. Thank you.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 4 November 2019 20:40 (four years ago) link
Ha! Came here to promote ^this (Twitter has just found it). Thanks, Pheeel!
― Jeff W, Monday, 4 November 2019 21:57 (four years ago) link
Great playlist:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000b8gx
― afriendlypioneer, Tuesday, 5 November 2019 21:27 (four years ago) link
Unfortunately, it appears he is dealing with cancer. I wish Sean the best.
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:39 (four years ago) link
Oh fuck, really? That's awful.
Get well soon Sean.
― does it look like i'm here (jon123), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:43 (four years ago) link
I can't find anything about this online, where did you happen to hear it?
― does it look like i'm here (jon123), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:44 (four years ago) link
I've been at the sharp end in hospital under going cancer treatment , cared for by a team if wonderful health workers from all over the world. Migrant workers.This latest revulsion from Johnson as he attempts to shore up the vilest sentiment for votes is criminal.Times shame.— High Llamas (@High_Llamas) December 9, 2019
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 14:59 (four years ago) link
Fuck, this sucks
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:02 (four years ago) link
Thanks for the tweet. That's dreadful news.
― does it look like i'm here (jon123), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:12 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD8nkYmYkEQ
― afriendlypioneer, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:24 (four years ago) link
ugh! hopefully he'll get better.
― tylerw, Wednesday, 11 December 2019 16:26 (four years ago) link
Yeah, fingers crossed for Sean, genuinely a good guy.
― I've Got A Ron Wood Solo Album To Listen To (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 December 2019 17:23 (four years ago) link
Wishing Sean a speedy recovery, he's such a lovely guy. Reading some of these comments from years ago, I think there's been some misconception that The High Llamas' records are meant to be a kind of terminus. The culmination of their influences, e.g. "what the Beach Boys were aspiring to". I believe this is looking at it the wrong way about. Surely they were the entry point? And from there we were meant to go on to check out Giu La Testa, Clube da Esquina and Marcos Valle? We didn't have algorithms for that in the 90's. Sean has been criticized a great deal for wearing his influences on his sleeve, and I understand but if you flip the triangle the other way around, it's incredibly generous, isn't it?
― Deflatormouse, Saturday, 14 December 2019 02:08 (four years ago) link
Yes, get well soon, Sean. Always liked this one.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ten0um-Ae8
― Lidsville U.K. (James Redd and the Blecchs), Saturday, 14 December 2019 12:08 (four years ago) link
I'll pick this thread 'cuz Sean's the one who interests me the most of the characters on the line-up. I am looking forward to this on Friday:
https://cabanemusic.bandcamp.com/album/grande-est-la-maison
Grande est la maison – Cabane’s first album is the outcome of Belgian composer Thomas Jean Henri bringing together the American Will Oldham (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy) and English musician Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), to perform some songs arranged by Sean O’Hagan (The High Llamas) ; a dream line-up for this collection of tunes, bordering on both folk and orchestral pop. Far from the maddening sounds, ‘Grande est la maison’ will be a warm shelter for lovers of Nick Drake or Vashti Bunyan.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 24 February 2020 15:51 (four years ago) link
Oh thanks for that - this was the fellow out of Soy Un Caballo, whose LP I love (it also involved Sean in a similar capacity I think).
― Tim, Monday, 24 February 2020 16:42 (four years ago) link
Sean also produces the upcoming album, High January by Market Starling.
― Jeff W, Monday, 24 February 2020 16:48 (four years ago) link
*Marker, grrr stupid autocorrect
― Jeff W, Monday, 24 February 2020 16:51 (four years ago) link
Kate Sables appears courtesy of Rough Trade Records LtdWill Oldham appears with courtesy of his own damn selfSean O'hagan appears with courtesy of Domino Publishing
― Le Bateau Ivre, Monday, 24 February 2020 17:03 (four years ago) link
Sounds good, Jeff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlfy7dnR6pY
Laetitia with a guest spot.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 24 February 2020 17:09 (four years ago) link
Pretty sure Sean O'Hagan did some playing/arranging with the early Palace Bros.
― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Monday, 24 February 2020 17:14 (four years ago) link
"I'll pick this thread 'cuz Sean's the one who interests me the most of the characters on the line-up. I am looking forward to this on Friday:
https://cabanemusic.bandcamp.com/album/grande-est-la-maison"
I think this guy is mainly a photographer, Sean has worked on his records before and played a gig in his apartment a few years ago.
― Deflatormouse, Monday, 24 February 2020 19:35 (four years ago) link
I've hit an age where I have panic attacks when threads are unexpectedly revived.
― djh, Monday, 24 February 2020 20:38 (four years ago) link
It's pretty reasonable to panic with this particular thread
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Monday, 24 February 2020 22:07 (four years ago) link
never talk about anybody old and not dead on the internet
― brimstead, Monday, 24 February 2020 22:40 (four years ago) link
ugh sorry didn’t know dude was actually not doing well, fp away
― brimstead, Monday, 24 February 2020 22:41 (four years ago) link
yes, made me very nervous to see this revived. i haven't heard anything about his condition since december.
― Deflatormouse, Monday, 24 February 2020 23:25 (four years ago) link
I think there's been some misconception that The High Llamas' records are meant to be a kind of terminus. The culmination of their influences, e.g. "what the Beach Boys were aspiring to". I believe this is looking at it the wrong way about. Surely they were the entry point? And from there we were meant to go on to check out Giu La Testa, Clube da Esquina and Marcos Valle? We didn't have algorithms for that in the 90's. Sean has been criticized a great deal for wearing his influences on his sleeve, and I understand but if you flip the triangle the other way around, it's incredibly generous, isn't it?― Deflatormouse, Friday, December 13, 2019 6:08 PM (two months ago) bookmarkflaglink
― Deflatormouse, Friday, December 13, 2019 6:08 PM (two months ago) bookmarkflaglink
Thank you for this, I think it’s a lovely summation of what I’ve thought many times; I can’t think of any single artist in the past few decades who has been so ill-served by a lazy shorthand for their work. I hope more people will figure it out with time.
― Deverly (Bangelo), Tuesday, 25 February 2020 01:24 (four years ago) link
Really digging the Cabane album. There's something very Llamas-esque about it beyond the string arrangements. I am enjoying Kate Stables's songs; I hadn't heard her before.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 2 March 2020 15:34 (four years ago) link
damn this is REALLY nice
― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Monday, 2 March 2020 15:48 (four years ago) link
I really like the Cabane also - if you like it and you haven't heard the Soy Un Caballo LP you have a big treat in store.
― Tim, Monday, 2 March 2020 16:11 (four years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB9N9NWN3ys
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 20 April 2020 13:04 (four years ago) link
Aargh someone take the harmonica away from whoever’s ruining this lovely cover 😆
― Jeff W, Monday, 20 April 2020 13:22 (four years ago) link
Seriously though, good to see Sean looking OK and in fine voice after last year’s medical treatment
― Jeff W, Monday, 20 April 2020 13:24 (four years ago) link
Fantastic that Sean O'Hagan (High Llamas) is looking healthy & hale here — and sounding typically wonderful. https://t.co/WTusACr6xZ— Tyler Wilcox (@tywilc) April 24, 2020
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 24 April 2020 18:28 (four years ago) link
yeah this made my day
― tylerw, Friday, 24 April 2020 19:19 (four years ago) link
Yes, it's great to see him in good spirits and fine form. I think his voice is getting better w/ age. His voice always needed a little extra grit. I'm also enjoying his daughter's contributions; her voice is wonderful on Radum Calls.
― afriendlypioneer, Monday, 27 April 2020 16:47 (four years ago) link
Love him. I don't know if any others made the connection between their musics over the decades, but this is the closest to imagining having my hero Simon Jeffes from the Penguin Cafe Orchestra doing a home concert for free.
My wet dream would be Sean producing a new David Sylvian album.
― Max Florian, Wednesday, 29 April 2020 12:39 (four years ago) link
As mentioned upthread, he also produced the new Marker Starling LP, which is out now and v nice.
― Deverly (Bangelo), Wednesday, 29 April 2020 17:09 (four years ago) link
I completely missed up until now that the video in tylerw’s tweet is different to the one posted on 20 April. Just caught up with the former - so good, and brings back good memories of the Café Oto gig last year.
There was also short essay by Sean published on the Drag City website on the same day. Worth a read:https://www.dragcity.com/news/2020-04-24-cracking-the-code
― Jeff W, Friday, 15 May 2020 18:45 (four years ago) link
I've loved O'Hagan's music for a long time. In fact, it was one of two reasons why I launched a website around his music https://coughlanohagan.com/.
― weirwrite, Saturday, 23 May 2020 06:46 (four years ago) link
*shits*
― buzza, Saturday, 23 May 2020 07:10 (four years ago) link
Message on Bandcamp: “Small something special coming to you on June 18th. Stay tuned to Drag City”
― Jeff W, Wednesday, 3 June 2020 18:01 (four years ago) link