Rachael Dease is a bit of a songwriting legend in this town and beyond. She’s fronted indie rock group Schvendes, she brought her own cabaret show City of Shadows to Perth at Fringe World early this year, and now she’s created an original score to accompany the return of puppet show It’s Dark Outside. Created by Arielle Gray, Tim Watts & Chris Isaacs, It’s Dark Outside is a poignant but beautiful look at Alzheimer’s, which you can read about over here. The season consists of five performances over three days, 12-14 September, with tickets available through Ticketek. Today we share a mixtape that Rachael Dease has made for us, where she shares her top five tracks about remembering and forgetting.
Lilac Wine – James Shelton
Gawd. There are so many versions of this song, but I just don’t think anything could beat this one by Jeff Buckley. Thinking about lost love past, with the aid of wine and melancholy. There’s something really bittersweet about this track. It completely encapsulates the half drunk giddiness you feel when you fall in love, but it’s all a memory in the end.
Don’t You – Micah P Hinson
One of my all time favourite artists. I’ve played it in some of my happiest and saddest times, and it resonates with both. It’s simple, sincere and raw. It’s worth listening to the whole track, it really takes you on an adventure
Pyramid Song – Radiohead
The second track off Amnesiac, it’s hands down one of the best tracks ever written. Strange and beautiful, it’s a dream song about the end of a life, what we might be thinking, what memories are important. Well that’s my read of it anyway.
Memory Lost – Snowman
One of my favourite tracks from friends and contemporaries, Snowman. Ironically listening to this now sends a flood of great memories about seeing that band play live. One of Perth’s best.
(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me – Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Such a gem of a songwriting duo. Slow this song down, arrange it differently, and it’s just depressing. But throw in some maracas and a horn section? GOODBYE BLUES, HELLO PARTY TOWN. Lou Johnson and Dionne Warwick have great versions, but Sandie Shaw’s is probably my favourite. Rachael.