music talk: lalleshwari's lullabies in a glass wilderness

 

Perhaps one of my favourite albums of all time, Katie Jane Garside’s solo project is a unique album that showcases her distinct, eerie sound. In December of 2007, not even a year after I had been born, the CD and DVD set of Lullabies in a Glass Wilderness was released, with only 300 copies.

Katie Jane Garside, who was 39 at the time, had already been in the music industry for about 18 years at this point. She was the original frontwoman of English rock bands Daisy Chainsaw and Queenadreena, and was allegedly cited by Courtney Love as one of the ‘original riot grrrls’ when Hole had toured with them. An interviewer once called Garside a ‘proto Alice Glass’, one half of Canadian electronic duo Crystal Castles, and one of my favourite artists. Following Lullabies in a Glass Wilderness, Garside also took part in musical projects with her partner, Chris Whittingham, as Ruby Throat and Liar, Flower. Garside has plenty of other works and projects to her name, with experience in an eclectic range of genres, and a cult following in the underground music scene.

I discovered Lalleshwari (Garside’s stage name for this solo project) whilst studying for exams. Bored out of my mind from spending hours memorising graphs, I would fill the void by looking for new music, clicking ‘Fans also like’ on Spotify ten times a day. Just a month or so prior, I had discovered POiSON GiRL FRiEND through a comments section, and was making my way through her discography when Lalleshwari caught my eye. I only recognised that name as a Hindu figure, and had a look at Lullabies in a Glass Wilderness out of curiosity. At this point, sick of learning about liquidity and policies, I skimmed a handful of articles about the album, as well as about Garside.

As far as I can recall, the very first song I listened to from the album was Road Kill. I especially enjoyed the intro, and there is something so alluring about Garside’s hauntingly beautiful voice. After all, it was mainly her voice that prompted me to listen to the album in its entirety. Other than that, I especially enjoy the noisy, crispy sound design used in all the tracks, as they give the album an authentic, natural feel.

I only got around to finishing the album in its entirety quite recently, as I get incredibly bored as an intern. I spend nearly nine hours a day typing away at my desk, so I really do not have much else to do except return to powering through random playlists and albums that catch my attention. I am especially fond of Dark Angel, Subterranean Values, In the Birdcage Part 1, and Marybell (Rides Into Town On A Pig) — the latter two of which are not featured in the limited edition CD and DVD set.

For You I Hold My Breath, which is the most popular song on the album (according to Spotify streams, at least), is also incredibly beautiful. While not as experimental as many of the other tracks, Garside’s spectral voice carries the song’s individuality. With its minimalistic instrumental and ornate imagery, the lyrics tell of endless devotion and servitude to a loved one. The narrator spins a tale of self-sacrifice, vulnerability, and tragedy.

Not long after I had finished listening to the entire album, I came across a video which had ‘A Fistful of Dollars – Version 2’ (from the Sergio Leone film) playing in the background. I immediately recognised it, since I had spent the previous three days with the album on repeat, as likely being the sample for Dark Angel. I have not come across any information confirming or denying my assumption, but the similarity between the two instrumentals is unmistakable.

I found myself quite upset a while ago while I was stalking the Spotify accounts of some of my mutuals, and found For You I Hold My Breath on a playlist belonging to an ex-classmate I am not particularly fond of. I am not typically much of a gatekeeper, and I often force my favourite songs upon my loved ones, but I was displeased because this ex-classmate had previously ridiculed my music taste. I hope she accidentally smudges wet nail polish on her bedsheets.

It is a great wish of mine to get my hands on a Lullabies in a Glass Wilderness CD, whether the regular or limited edition. Unfortunately, I am an unpaid intern, so this is not happening anytime soon.