Tim Kasher, lead singer of Cursive, recently hit the road for a solo tour of the UK but not without taking on our Desert Island Discs challenge. Well known for his indie rock style, it’s time to find out exactly where all that musical inspiration comes from.
1. Violent Femmes – self titled.
I’ve listened to this album one billion times already, so it’s safe to say I could continue listening to it for the rest of my life. This has to be one of THE most impactful influences on my musical life – hell, it’s basically one of the biggest influences on ALL of alternative music and every offshoot thereof.
2. Sharon Van Etten – Are We There.
I love all of Sharon’s records, but this one somehow feels like a warm blanket for me; I surprised myself, how much I listened to this record when it came out. Over and over again. I don’t even know how to describe the album, nor do I differentiate the songs much, it’s just an overall feeling that is like a narcotic for me. So yeah, I’d keep listening to that.
3. Kate Bush – Hounds of Love.
This album is complex, you could probably spend a lifetime deconstructing it, decoding it, and then reinterpreting it. I love Kate Bush so much, one of the most important artists of our time.
4. A Simon and Garfunkel Mixtape.
I’m cheating here, as I don’t want to choose just one album from S&G. While I’m at it, I’m also going to throw some Paul Simon songs on there, like “Duncan”, for example. I don’t want to live in a world without Paul Simon’s songwriting, so I guess that makes him a lock for desert island material.
5. Metallica – And Justice For All.
This may just be the phase I’m currently going through, but I figure I’d need some heavy music to listen to as well, from time to time, and, well, I’ve rekindled my love affair with Metallica lately. …And Justice is the record I grew up with, so that’s the one I’d bring along. Or maybe I should have chosen PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me for the rock record?? Can I bring six?!