PHOSPHORESCENT IS Alabaman singer-songwriter Matthew Houck and he is Phosphorescent in the way Neil Hannon is the Divine Comedy and Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails.
Houck’s music embraces Country-rock and indie-folk. He began recording and performing under the Phosphorescent moniker in 2001 and has released the albums A Hundred Times or More (2003 ), Aw Come Aw Wry (2005 ), Pride (2007 ), Here’s to Taking It Easy (2010 ), and Muchacho (2013 ). He also recorded an album of songs by Willie Nelson, 2009’s To Willie.
Speaking about his music to Pitchfork, he said: “I am happy, but I write terribly sad songs. I don’t feel like a sad wreck of a person, but I write from the perspective of a wreck of a person.”
Phosphorescent play support to The National in the Galway International Arts Festival’s Big Top in the Fisheries’ Field on Wednesday July 16 at 7.30pm and here are five of Matthew’s best songs to whet your appetite:
1 ‘It’s Hard To Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama )’
This uptemo, horn driven country number got 2010’s excellent Here’s To Taking It Easy off to a flying start.
2 ‘Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly )’
A touch of The Eagles here on this song. This video comes from a live performance of the song and is a good taster for the Galway show in July.
3 ‘Wolves’
From Pride, this is a desolate, haunting folk-country number.
4 ‘A New Anhedonia’
From Phosphorescent’s most recent album, Muchacho, this is a melancholy country epic.
5 ‘The Quotidian Beasts’
Possibly the stand out track on Muchacho, another mighty epic, and one to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
Tickets for The National and Phosphorescent are available through www.giaf.com See also www.roisindubh.net
