Art Of Noise #6 :: Soulsavers

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Soulsavers. Rich Machin (left) and Mark Lanegan (right)

Our sporadic mix-tape feature is back! Art Of Noise sees us ask our favourite bands to create their own mix and give explanations on why they chose each track. Simples.

This editions host is Rich Machin of downtempo electronica collective: Soulsavers – a revolving door of high profile collaborators including Mark Lanegan, Jason Pierce of Spritualized, Richard Hawley, Will Oldham and Mike Patton of Faith No More. The latest (and arguably best) Soulsavers LP – Broken, was released back in August and will no doubt appear in several year-end ‘best of’ lists. Incorporating a hypnotic blend of gospel, country, blues and electronica the influences behind the outfit are vast to say the least. Here, we delve into Rich Machin’s record collection as he presents eight of his favourite songs: from Ray Charles to Fuck Buttons – it’s a rich and varied mix for sure. As an added bonus, Rich also talks about his influences and musical history in our “On Song” feature below.

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Howlin’ Wolf: ‘Evil’
God, i’d love to have seen this guy play in a bar back in the day, music to drink and smoke too.

Link Wray: ‘Fire & Brimstone’
Not what you’d expect Link Wray to sound like, from his often overlooked period on polydor recs. Pretty much everything he did during this time sounds great.

Neil Young: ‘Old Man’
Favorite song of all time? probably… simple, beautiful genius.

Ray Charles: ‘The Midnight Hour’
Pretty much anything he sings sounds amazing, picking one song is pretty difficult.

Pisces: ‘Dear One’
Recorded in 1969, and only finally released in 2009, killer psyche pop.

Fuck Buttons – Surf Solar
Long psychedelic krautrock tune, a Weatherall masterpiece.

El Michels Affair: ‘Glaciers Of Ice’
Great instrumental cover of a Wu-tang tune by a killer funk band.

PJ Harvey: ‘To Bring You My Love’
I’ve been listening to this a lot recently again, still my favorite record of hers and this track always kills me. We tried to cover it a few times & sometimes you think it’s best to just leave something alone & not fuck with it….

On Song :: Soulsavers

What was the first song that really caught your imagination?
Probably John Williams’ Star Wars score.

What was the music your parents liked and do you think it’s influenced you at all?
Mainly country music, and i guess yeah. I love country music. First time i heard Johnny Cash, Cosby, Stills & Nash was at my parents place as a kid.

What posters did you have on your wall as a kid?
Guns & Roses.

Which songs or albums would you play at a party?
Usually something like the complete Stax box set.

Which songs remind you of a rainy day?
Tom Waits – Alice

Which album do you seek solace in when you are feeling sad?
No idea. Feeling sad is for the weak & the lonely.

Which album would you play when you wanted to get down to some lovin’?
Spain – The Blue Moods Of Spain

What music was, or would be, the “first dance” at your wedding?
Ronettes – ‘Be My Baby’

What was the first gig you went to as a paying customer?
Kiss…

Name the one song you think everyone should hear.
Etta James – ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’

Which one artist do you think not enough people know about?
Josh T. Pearson.

What’s the best thing you’ve heard recently?
Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport

Dead or alive, what 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Tom Waits
John Lee Hooker
Captain Beefheart
The Stooges
Kraftwerk

And finally, who would win in a fight: a stoat or a goat and why?
Stoat – Vicious little bastards.