WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: steve kazee and cristin milioti (featuring the cast of once) - falling slowly

steve kazee and cristin milioti (featuring the cast of once) - falling slowly
[sometime back in november, i went to an off broadway workshop version of once, the musical and came out not only an instant diehard fan but experiencing something quite emotionally transformative about the passion of music and something even more deep rooted, love. even though i had gone through my 'once' period back in 2007 (there was this little oscar winning film and all...), watching this show was like discovering the music for the first time. alot has to do with the strong performances by leads steve kazee and cristin milioti (and an amazing cast that also fill in as the house band). with their successful transition to broadway, once is hopefully going to inspire and touch a whole new audience this year and i'll definitely be going back for a few fixes in the coming months. trying to capture some of it's magic, check out this wonderful studio version of 'falling slowly'. le sigh...]

WONGIE SONG OF THE MONTH: iron & wine - flightless bird, american mouth (wedding version) (twilight:breaking dawn part 1 soundtrack)

iron & wine - flightless bird, american mouth (wedding version) (twilight:breaking dawn part 1 soundtrack)
[goosebumps!!! pure goosebumps!!! swoon, smile then goosebumps again!!! iron & wine retools this now classic for the upcoming twilight : breaking dawn part 1 soundtrack and it's a lush one. featuring marketa irglova on harmonies, just press play and get, well... goosebumps!!!!]

WONGIE ROMANTIC SONG OF THE WEEK: the swell season - in these arms

the swell season - in these arms
[oh sigh... this is a definite swooning tune for the week. simply gorgeous!]

LIVE WONGIE: the swell season - low rising (live @ dartmouth sessions)

the swell season - low rising (live @ dartmouth sessions)
[oh how i heart them! there's something really sweet about how marketa watches glen pour his heart out on the staircase.]

the swell season - strict joy (sizzle reel)

the swell season - strict joy (sizzle reel)
[love love LOVE these guys! can't wait to hear the full album!]

LIVE WONGIE: the swell season (aka glen hansard and marketa irglova) - tiny desk concert (npr)

the swell season - tiny desk concert
[oh my god! part of the 6 song set from oscar winners glen and marketa (ONCE) is new material from their upcoming album strict joy!]

live wongie: the swell season (aka glen hansard / marketa irglova from ONCE) - live from the artists den

they're baaack! yes, my favorite couple glen hansard & marketa irglova, aka the swell season, are back on the wongie blip as they release a live dvd from the stages of the good shepard center chapel in seattle.

titled, the swell season: live from the artists den, the dvd concert not only includes some wonderful tunes taken off of both the swell season and once soundtrack, but also 30 extra minutes of footage not broadcast on the original ovation tv broadcast "live from the artists den".

also featuring two of glen's bandmembers from the frames, check out two of the performances below:

the swell season - falling slowly (live @ the artists den) [link 2]
[i've heard this a million times and i still sing along like a fool. sigh. plus, i love glen's intro to the venue.]


the swell season - lies (live @ the artists den) [link 2]
[love this song and can't wait to see the rest of this live show!]

dvd is released april 15

they won an OSCAR! glen hansard and marketa irglova "once"

glen hansard & marketa irglova - once [link 2]
[after a year of blogging about once, the duo found themselves in front of a billion viewers last weekend culminating in an oscar win! i feel like a proud parent!]


their sweet acceptance speeches...


jon stewart on the daily show talking about marketa irglova's additional speech

wongie top songs of 2007: #3 glen hansard and marketa irglova - falling slowly

glen hansard and marketa irglova - falling slowly [link 2]
[i could honestly watch this scene over and over again (i sort of do it already now that i bought the dvd of the film) and i still go into 'sigh' mode. the movie, the soundtrack and ultimately this very tune drew me in so deep that 2007 was easily the year of ONCE. i can't really add more to that except that if you haven't seen this film yet, then i implore you to watch it soon (especially if you love gentle guitar music, it would be a shame to miss this sweet experience).]

interview: glen hansard and marketa irglova (ONCE) backstage at the carson daly show

glen hansard & marketa irglova (ONCE) - falling slowly [link 2]
[just returned from my weekend at the virgin festival and am too tired to write about it tonight, but i did find this nice interview with glen and marketa backstage at the carson daly show last week as the lovebirds performed falling slowly live. i'm so happy that the song is getting play (finally!) but was shocked to hear that director john carney almost threw in an ending in which 'guy' and 'girl' kiss. thank goodness it didn't go down like that!]

songs we like: glen hansard & marketa irglova - falling slowly

glen hansard & marketa irglova (once) - falling slowly [link 2]
[no surprise here (since i bring up the movie every few weeks), basically an official video was made for this song and i thought i'd post it. funnily enough, when i do listen to the soundtrack i fall instantly into my 'sigh' mode. it's so cheesy, but i can't help it.]

wongie redux: ONCE - the movie

fans of my music world know that i've pretty much decided ONCE to be one of my favorite films of 2007. though i hyped the film a few months prior to it's release, i still tell everyone that this is the movie to see this summer.

so much so, the other day i dragged a few friends with me to watch the film again (to their surprise since it's been ages that i've actually PAID to go see a film) and on second viewing i have to say ONCE still holds that sweet gentle place in my heart.

maybe it's the simplicity of the film, or the fact that i have similar feelings about life and music, but i'm not the only one. currently the #1 soundtrack on itunes and doing some serious box office on just 127 screens (3 million yo!), it's great to know that the film is resonating with a larger audience!

check out some new items posted by the ONCE folk.

ONCE OST - glen hansard - say it to me now [link 2]
[the song that starts off the film. sigh...]


ONCE OST - glen hansard & marketa irglova - when your minds made up [link 2]
[i still get goosebumps when he hits that crazy high note in the middle of the song. but what's even more amazing is that glen is playing the same guitar he does in the movie!]