This is the full album before it was "mixed" for release.  It is raw. It is pure. The poetry of Chris' lyrics are more legible.  The tones are what we were listening to in the studio. The actual release mystified people. It never represented the recording.  It never represented the genius of where Chris could, and did, take the blues and rock paradigms. The album is one of rock's Greatest Misses.  

There are some alternate versions, and a different sequence.  Mostly I am posting this because of the decades of conversation with Whitley fans who don't enjoy the album.  How can you convince someone that "really, it's a milestone and a classic" when the only thing they have heard is a watered down commercial release that has little to do with the actual work that was done?  I hope this spurs conversation about this classic!

Chris Whitley-Din Of Ecstasy

Rouse Ye Women featured in The Guardian as one of Lyn Gardner's theatre hot tips 'What to see'

'performance art of the highest calibre'

'Vibrant with vitality, musical in their percussive conflict, fierce in their resentful drudgery, every woman works on and on through the piece she is tasked to complete; a dramatic evocation of the pitiless toil the labouring classes bore in hard, hard times'.

'this amazing production, which rises from the inspired vision of Victoria Bourne & Chris Harper into a truly collaborative triumph of theatre arts'.

Arthur Duncan Remote Goat ****

'Their music is harsh, brittle, tender and soulful all at once. Constant leaps between the cacophonous drumming and angelic singing keeps you on edge throughout and makes the piece move at an incredible pace. At fifty minutes I found I was left wanting more'. 

Natasha McGregor Bristol Theatre Review ****

Rouse Ye Women - Audio Trailer

Welcome to the new Behind the Scenes series of the new ad film 'A Future Together', as we sit down with celebrated German filmmaker Wim Wenders to talk about cinema’s transformational power in telling stories and help us imagine a newer, better world.

A Future Together - Interview with Director Wim Wenders III

We discuss the career of Writer/Director Wim Wenders and focus in on KINGS OF THE ROAD, THE AMERICAN FRIEND, PARIS TEXAS and WINGS OF DESIRE.

Albert Pyun's Memorial GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/albert-pyuns-memorial-in-kailua-hawaii

Join the Patreon now for an exclusive episode every week, access to our entire Patreon Episode back catalogue, your name read out on the next episode, and the friendly Discord chat: patreon.com/theimportantcinemaclub

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Check out Justin's other podcasts, THE BAY STREET VIDEO PODCAST (@thebaystreetvideopodcast) and NO SUCH THING AS A BAD MOVIE (@nosuchthingasabadmovie), as well as Will's other podcast MICHAEL AND US (@michael-and-us)

#316 - The Wings of Wim Wenders

From darkness and loss hangovers were left behind for folktronica duo Hangover Square for peace, sobriety and time to rewire. The new single 'Softest of Silks', is due for release 28th January 2024.

In the last year the duo became sober and bounced back from two close friends suicides and Victoria’s own depression. Confronted with so much existential angst. Last year became a springboard for change going back to their roots of electronica and acoustic sounds.

"We're doing what we love best, creating sad, romantic, cinematic music. The electronics are an integral part of the band both on the recordings and live. Not to replace musicians but to be a musician in their own right"

Expect the feel of a Wim Wenders film with Bjork popping up to provide musical interludes.

This is the first single from Hangover Square's second album Rewire. A song about having empathy with those who are really struggling.

They host gigs in venues as diverse as a graveyards, gothic churches and cinemas. This is two people sounding like a 40 piece ensemble. Reach out and listen with us whilst we take you on a journey to Hangover Square.

Two years in the making the second album ‘Rewire’ follows on from the success of ‘Painting With An Open Heart’. Due for release 28th April 2024.

Rewire

Softest Of Silks Radio Edit

From darkness and loss hangovers were left behind for folktronica duo Hangover Square for peace, sobriety and time to rewire. The new single 'Gone', is due for release 25th February 2024.

In the last year the duo became sober and bounced back from two close friends suicides and Victoria’s own depression. Confronted with so much existential angst. Last year became a springboard for change going back to their roots of electronica and acoustic sounds.

 "We're doing what we love best, creating sad, romantic, cinematic music". The electronics are an integral part of the band both on the recordings and live. Not to replace musicians but to be a musician in their own right. Expect the feel of a Wim Wenders film with Bjork popping up to provide musical interludes. 

Gone lyrically started from the sense of disappearing completely as a person, but then finding there are people who are there for you. It starts with a single voice building as hope returns with the multilayered voices and instruments wrapping around you at the end.

They host gigs in venues as diverse as a graveyards, gothic churches and cinemas. This is two people sounding like a 40 piece ensemble. Reach out and listen with us whilst we take you on a journey to Hangover Square.

Two years in the making the second album ‘Rewire’ follows on from the success of ‘Painting With An Open Heart’. Due for release 28th April 2024.

Gone Radio Edit

From darkness and loss hangovers were left behind for folktronica duo Victoria Bourne and Chris Harper for peace, sobriety and time to rewire. 

In the last year the duo became sober and bounced back from two close friends suicides and Victoria’s own depression. Confronted with so much existential angst. Last year became a springboard for change going back to their roots of electronica and acoustic sounds.

 "We're doing what we love best, creating sad, romantic, cinematic music". The electronics are an integral part of the band both on the recordings and live. Not to replace musicians but to be a musician in their own right. Expect the feel of a Wim Wenders film with Bjork popping up to provide musical interludes. 

Gone lyrically started from the sense of disappearing completely as a person, but then finding there are people who are there for you. It starts with a single voice building as hope returns with the multilayered voices and instruments wrapping around you at the end.

They host gigs in venues as diverse as a graveyards, gothic churches and cinemas. This is two people sounding like a 40 piece ensemble. Reach out and listen with us whilst we take you on a journey to Hangover Square.

Two years in the making the second album ‘Rewire’ follows on from the success of ‘Painting With An Open Heart’. Due for release 28th April 2024.

Gone

A call and response between two voices, sarod and doudoukas.

And now you will be mine

Victoria was bought up in Handsworth, Birmingham and went to an inner city comprehensive, where she was the only white student in her entire year. She experienced a very different upbringing with strong influences of Indian culture and music. 

Aged 14 she was part of a school trip funded for inner city schools to go to India. A experience which changed her forever. These have all fed into her love of Eastern styles of singing and song writing. Studying Indian vocal styles Konnakol and Ragas. 'When You’ comes from these origins mixed with her love of electronica and artists such as Tricky and Americana. Sensual and expressive. 

Press for When You:
This song, which is called ‘When You’ I’m going to go so far as to say that for me, it is one of the best songs, that I’ve heard all year. Roots and Fusion Rick Stuart.

“When You” is a captivating and atmospheric piece that showcases Hangover Square’s talent for crafting evocative and immersive music. Musikpool

“When You” is a captivating and atmospheric piece that showcases Hangover Square’s talent for crafting evocative and immersive music" Edgar Allan Poets

"Bourne evoking thoughts of Les Mysteres de Voix Bulgares while the focused, almost tribal rhythm of the guitars and percussive and wailing electronics conjure a complementary Eastern European atmosphere" FATEA

When you turn around
Back at what you’ve found
And the feeling erodes
 
When we find love
Held in time from above
And the feeling it slows

Two lovers to the race
Two lovers embrace 
And the feeling it grows

When you love
When you
When you

03 When You

I saw from afar, a house made of stone  
Made to survive, a gleaming white home 
But now so near there’s no stone at all 
But the softest of silks between you and the world 

Breathe, one more step up the stairs  
Sing, to me outside your prayers 

The lake is an eye and the eye has a shore  
And the shore is a home when the eye is no more  
The stairs on the lake spiral both ways 
And you on the stairs, climb every day 

Breathe, one more step up the stairs  
Sing, to me outside your prayers 

Your hand on your heart and your eyes to the sky  
You cease your steps with the lake swirling by 
How many times did your head leave your heart behind?  
How many times did your head leave your heart behind? 

Breathe, one more step up the stairs 
Sing, to me outside your prayers

01 Softest Of Silks

Soul-stirring Americana, a cinematic take on folk-blues that is a balm for the broken hearted and a swoon-inspiring delight for the lovers.

From darkness and loss,  hangovers were left behind for the peace of sobriety for duo Victoria Bourne and Chris Harper. In the last year the duo became sober and bounced back from two close friends suicides and Victoria’s own depression. Confronted with so much existential angst. Last year became a springboard for change going back to their roots of electronica and acoustic sounds.

“We’re doing what we love best, creating sad, romantic, cinematic music”

The electronics are an integral part of the band both on the recordings and live. Not to replace musicians but to be a musician in their own right. 

They host gigs in venues as diverse as a graveyards, gothic churches and cinemas. This is two people sounding like a 40 piece ensemble.

Reach out and listen with us whilst we take you on a journey to Hangover Square. 

They are two highly experienced professional musicians who have been played widely across the radio including having been playlisted on BBC Radio 2, they have toured extensively across the UK and in Europe.

“It’s an album that meshes electronica and acoustic instruments seamlessly, creating an intricate soundscape for Bourne’s expressive vocals”
– Louder Than War

“I’m very excited to have discovered Hangover Square’s music. Their second album is a triumph of the personal and the experimental, delivering a journey in which one can easily become lost. The mix of Americana and electronica on display is simply stunning” 
– York Calling

'Absolutely stunning, I’ve played them numerous times over and over again’ -- Rick Stuart Roots and Fusion

“…this is hugely accomplished…an impressive calling card…a hangover most definitely worth nursing…” Folk Radio

01 Softest Of Silks

Hangover Square

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