Routes Of Presence: The Swell Season

A number of years ago I watched the film ONCE. I fell in love with it both because of the frank, honest and humorous perspective it took to relationships, but also because I absolutely *loved* the music. The two main characters in the movie, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, are actually professional musicians. They have a band called The Swell Season, and they went on to record many more tunes, and perform all over the world.

Yesterday I came across Youtube videos of some of their songs -- some of which were from the film, and others newer compositions. The purity of their harmonies blows me away, so I just had to share some of my favourite clips with you. (Disclaimer: I did not film any of these. Please follow the link to the YouTube video for the source).

This first one is of a song I had never heard before, called In These Arms:

This second video is of another song I had never heard before, but love, called Forgive Me:

The last three clips I have heard many times before, and I think are just beautiful. The first is called If you want me:

The second is called All the way down. I couldn't find one recording that is perfect. This one is cut off at the beginning and end, but the sound quality is the best of all the choices: