Paul Schiernecker

This week, I have mostly been listening to British singer-songwriter Joy Crookes. My thanks to Rebecca for the recommendation. Crookes released her debut album, Skin, in October 2021. That’s what I’ve been digging. Songs like Trouble and 19th Floor are truly something. There’s a wonderful smoky tone to her voice and a heartfelt longing to…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 30

This week, it has been my pleasure to listen to Jessie Reyez, the Canadian singer-songwriter you all know and love. As with recent weeks, I wasn’t familiar with Jessie, in the same way I hadn’t heard Jamila or Soko. This is all an education for me. The first thing that drew me in was a…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 29

This week I have had the absolute pleasure of listening to Chicago-based singer, poet and songwriter, Jamila Woods. I was unfamiliar with her work until now and let me tell you, it’s fucking cool. There’s a lot of identity politics and black history put not just into her music but also the skits, intros and…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 28

This week, I have mostly been listening to French singer-songwriter, Soko. My thanks to my good friend Steph for the recommendation. This feels very you. Stephanie Alexandra Mina Sokolinski (great name) was born in Bordeaux, France – a place I only know of because of its association with the popular Booze Cruises of my childhood.…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 27

This week, I have mostly a boil in the bag sack of rice (it’s too hot and my innards are soggy) but I have very much been enjoying listening to Cesária Evora. Now, I don’t know much about Cape Verde so this has been a real education. In fact, what I know about Cape Verde…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 26

I was always going to love Françoise Hardy. She’s beautiful and French and her music has appeared amongst Wes Anderson’s best work. I want her to draw me like one of her French boys. There’s a lot to be said for music from 60 years ago to which you don’t have a pre-existing relationship and…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 25

This week, I have been delving in the era of the Top 8 on MySpace with Emmy The Great. While I remember her work on Lightspeed Champion’s Falling Off The Lavender Bridge, this was the first time I’d listened to the English singer/songwriter. There’s a certain (and I’m sorry for using this word) tweeness present…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 24

This week I have been listening to Tracy Chapman. Now we all know Chapman right? It a god-given right that we are born with some awareness there but each person has their own story. I believe I first got into Tracy Chapman when I was at university because someone I fancied who had been on…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 23

This week, I have been listening to singer/songwriter/actress, Ingrid Michaelson. While I am now very interested in tracking down her romcom, Humor Me, it’s more a case of rumour me when it comes to the stories that she has started working on a musical adaptation of The Notebook. While it’s clear from her background that…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 22

This week, I have been listening to Yebba – an artist I hadn’t heard of and was unlikely to if it wasn’t for Becca’s recommendation. She’s a lot better at identifying these new trends in music and knowing about what is cool.  Yebba is a singer/songwriter from West Memphi who has worked with Sam Smith, Stormzy…… Continue reading Music Jar – week 21