A Day in the Life: Mezanmi
Though he arrives with a new name, Fran O'Hanlon may well sound familiar to those who knew him via his previous project, Ajimal. An considered extension of all that came before, Mezanmi released a brand new album just a couple of weeks ago and it's full of the same carefully-constructed pop music that first caught our ear on GFP a number of years ago.
Featuring key collaborations with both Jessie Buckley and the Indonesian born artist Sandrayati, the Always Upwards LP is full of heart, soul, and swirling, sentimental songs that blur the boundary between pop, folk, and ambient.
Underpinned by gorgeous strings, clarinet, and Fran's always captivating voice and vision, it makes for a gorgeous wintry soundtrack; a reminder of what's come before and a bold new step into what lies beyond.
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What's the album you reach for in the quiet of the morning?
I first came across both King Creosote and Jon Hopkins when they collaborated on the album Diamond Mine. It's one that I immediately fell in love with. There are all of these subtleties... gentle fizzling electronics, field recordings, the clatter of cutlery and soft voices in a cafe. The songs are so beautiful and Kenny's voice combined with the piano and bubbling electronica is perfectly balanced. I also read that Jon created all the percussive elements just using a lapel mic - tapping and scraping it and sampling that. I really love his drum textures on his more electronic solo albums too.
What's the one song you play to wake you up and embrace the day ahead?
A very dear friend of mine introduced me to 'Spinning Away' by John Cale and Brian Eno while we were hiking a few years ago and it's also one that grabbed me immediately. The lyrics are so poetic and dreamlike and the melody flows effortlessly. When you read the words they instill this sense of being a tiny speck of dust in the scheme of the universe but simultaneously incredibly peaceful. I think it's one of those magic songs that you know immediately is going to stay with you.
What's your favourite song or album to drive to/accompany you on a road trip?
The first time I heard Paul Simon's Graceland was actually on a road trip. I'd hitched a ride from London back to Newcastle with some friends in their van and they put it on. The voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo felt really warm and familiar and I later realised it was because my dad had one of their albums and we used to listen to it in the car a lot. Graceland was the album that sort of catapulted them to international fame. It's a contentious album because Simon ignored the cultural boycott against the South African government during apartheid to make it and based so much of it around traditional African music but it's an incredible melding of styles and songwriting.
What's a song or album that sounds best just as the sun begins to go down?
Low's Double Negative. It was Guy Massey who introduced me to their music; this album had a very profound effect on me and is one I've come back to so many times. I love the idea of 'beautiful noise' and I think they have been masters of it; pushing things to the brink of destruction but retaining something really beautiful. It's definitely an album that evokes dusk for me. The songwriting is so elegant and the soundscapes really pull you in. I saw them play live on that tour and will confess that initially I felt slightly disappointed that it didn't sound exactly like the record... I very quickly came to realise that it didn't need to and they were incredible in the way they created something honest and real without relying on track.
What song do you reach to when the night arrives?
One of my old housemates and I will often send each other a screenshot of 'A New Error' by Moderat when we listen to it - usually as a signal that we're going out. It's become a joke invitation we send each other. A song that brings very fond memories of dancing with friends is 'All My Friends' by LCD Soundsystem. I love the motoric krautrocky feel to it against the sort of simultaneously bleak and hopeful lyrics. I released a cover of it which I arranged for strings and it was the first time I really read them in depth. They're sort of odd and jarring but also just perfect. I've seen LCD play it live a couple of times and it's amazing to see the way they all combine as an ensemble.
Finally, what's the last thing you play in the late-night quiet?
I love the album Orphée by Jóhann Jóhannsson and it feels so calming I can float away on it. One of my favourite songs is 'Me at the Museum, You In the Wintergardens' by Tiny Ruins - it's a lyrical and musical masterpiece and I'll recommend it to anyone who'll listen. (Shout out also to the 2000 version of 'Both Sides Now' by Joni Mitchell for the same reason - it gives me goosebumps every time). It's funny, reflecting on all of these songs and albums, they are all tied to particular friends and moments. I love the way those come back into focus when I'm listening to them all.
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Always Upward is out now, listen/buy via Bandcamp
