9 SONGS FOR WEEK 9

Semester 2, Week 9

By Mairead O'Connor

while since my Week 6 playlist – how time flies! This playlist has a lot more contemplative indie and less joyous pop than last time, reflecting the ups and downs of the past few weeks (LSS elections, changes in prime ministers, and some heated debate in this very publication) as we come to the pointy end of the semester and reach the ¾ mark.

Listen on Spotify here.

‘No No No’ – Beirut
No No No

If any of you were wondering whether I did end up doing the Contracts interim, here is your answer. Apparently 80% of first years can say the same!

‘It’s Oh So Quiet’ – Björk
Post

I’ve come to love the Enrichment Centre as a study space this semester. A nice mix of peaceful quiet one minute, and RAUCOUS chatter the next.

Also, if you haven’t seen the amazing video clip for this song, please enjoy.

‘Cool’ – Soccer Mommy
Clean

A dedication to all the cool girls of the law school.  The past few weeks I have been campaigning for the position of women’s director with my co-candidate Zoe Stathis. It’s been wonderful to see a lot of interest in the portfolio (with 2 other fantastic candidates running!) and hear everyone’s feedback and ideas.

‘Suga Suga’ – Baby Bash, Frankie J
Tha Smokin’ Nephew

Sorry to everyone who got lecture (baby) bashed. I apologise that this link is very tenuous, I just wish the term wasn’t lecture BASH. Putting baby in front of it like this iconic early 2000s artist at least softens it a bit.

‘Cattle And Cane’ – The Go-Betweens
Before Hollywood

A teacher of mine in class today said The Go-Betweens were a ‘bad’ band in passing. I’m not sure if anyone picked it up/cared but I was SCANDALISED. I’m not about to let arguably the best and most influential Australian indie band of all time go undefended. So, in case anyone was influenced by this passing comment, let this masterpiece inform your judgment.

‘Time’ – Kelsey Lu
Church

Ah, yes. I am running out of time… to complete 8 journal entries for D&E perhaps? Law students all know that time is the enemy but remember that the mid-semester break awaits you!

As a former cello nerd, this looped track of just cello and voice is a marvel to me and worth the 5 minutes of procrastination.

‘Focus’ – Ariana Grande
Focus

I realised I was probably a bit harsh on Ari in my last playlist. In light of the tragic death of her former partner Mac Miller, and after watching the documentary about some of the girls who were affected by the terrorist attack at Ariana’s concert in Manchester last year, I have been musing about the resilience of young women and the power of pop.

I also remembered this BANGER which could not have come at a better time given I really need to focus on writing some journal entries (see above).

‘Make Time 4 Love’ – The Goon Sax
Make Time 4 Love

Despite all this talk of impending deadlines and focus, please also make time 4 what you love. For me it’s making a playlist! I hope you all recharge and enjoy your week off :)

Also, if you want some proof of The Go-Betweens’ influence, The Goon Sax are a prime example (so THERE).

‘After the War [movement III]’ – Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet
Different Trains

No link to law school here, so you’ll just have to indulge my love of postmodernist classical music (sorry). This is the third movement of a truly remarkable piece by Steve Reich called Different Trains. Reich contemplates his position as a young Jewish boy in pre-WWII America, where he took the train coast-to-coast between his separated parents. He considers how, had he been in Europe, he would have been taking a train of a very different kind.

The movements follow the arc of the hopeful America before the war, the harrowing Europe during the war, and this renewing movement depicting after the war. The incredible thing about this piece is that the strings follow the ‘speech melodies’ of fragments of interviews with Holocaust survivors, his old nanny and a former train porter.

Something has drawn me back to this beautiful piece in the past few weeks and I thought I would share it with you.

This review by Matthew Schnipper sums it up poignantly.

Happy listening!