John Grant tells us how Cocteau Twins, The Carpenters, Kate Bush & more influenced his new LP ‘The Art of the Lie’
John Grant came of age in the ’80s and he’s surrounded himself with the sounds of his youth on his excellent sixth album. Working with producer Ivor Guest (Grace Jones, Bomb the Bass, Lana Del Rey) and a band of ace session musicians, Grant takes Fairlight synth orchestra hits, 808 drum machines, fretless bass and other recognizable sounds of the Reagan era (plus a love of classic 4AD, which would technically be Thatcher era) and folds them into his unique style where grandiose ’70s pop is at its core. The Art of the Lie is both luxuriant and angry, a record about “the lies people espouse and the brokenness it breeds and how we are warped and deformed by these lies.” You can listen to the whole thing below.
We asked John to make us a list of some of the musical influences behind The Art of The Lie, and he picked 10 songs, including a few from indie label 4AD’s ’80s imperial era, plus Cabaret Voltaire, Talking Heads, Kate Bush and more. Check out his list and commentary below.
JOHN GRANT – 10 INFLUENCES BEHIND THE ART OF THE LIE
1. Dead Can Dance – De Profundis
You‘ll notice there are a few classic 4AD moments in this list. So much of what they put out during this time is now baked into my DNA. This is one of those songs that transforms any landscape into something incredible which could mean horrifying or beautiful or whatever. Always good though.
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2. Cocteau Twins – Pink Orange Red
Speaking of transforming landscapes… I listen to this often and it always reminds me of driving down the highway alone in the dead of night in the summertime, blasting this with the windows open and the warm wind blowing through my hair.
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3. Throwing Muses – “Like a Dog”
The classic 4ad party is almost over. (It‘ll never be over) This is one of my favorite Throwing Muses tracks. It‘s just so stunning. This was a b-side from University. Kristin Hersh and Throwing Muses are national treasures.
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4. Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy – “Television, the Drug of the Nation”
I‘d really love to hear Michael Franti‘s follow-up to this addressing the internet. This still stings so good. Love him and can‘t get enough of this.
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5. Cabaret Voltaire – “I Want You” (12“ Version)
The Cook, The Thief….wait no….The Covenant, The Sword and The Arm of The Lord is Cabaret Voltaire at the height of their powers. This 12“ version is so essential. It‘s so incredibly funky and futuristic-sounding.
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6. Talking Heads – “Slippery People” (Stop Making Sense version)
This song fills me with so much joy when i hear it, which is often. I saw Stop Making Sense at my favorite art-house movie theater in 1984 and it was a transformative experience. It‘s the best concert film ever for me.
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7. Kate Bush – “Night of the Swallow”
This was a single in Ireland which tells you all you need to know about that place. I really need to get my hands on one of those. The Dreaming is my favorite Kate Bush record. There simply isn‘t anything like it out there.
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8. The Cars – “Why Can‘t I Have You”
This also reminds me of warm summer nights. This is a perfect piece of pop for me and it never gets old and cannot be improved upon. The synths. Ric Ocasek‘s incredible voice. The Carpenters-esque harmonies on the chorus. Sentence fragments.
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9. Air – “Nosferatu” (The Flower Pistols Remix)
I love the vocal treatment in this. I‘m not sure if it‘s a vocoder they‘re using, but it‘s so stunning. The lazy sax solo and staccato synth Cabaret Voltaire flavorings have made this one of my favorite pieces of music ever.
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10. The Carpenters – “Aurora”
Since I already brought them up…. I remember listening to this on 8-track tape back in the 70s and being so mesmerized by the sheer pulchritude of it. I get sick of using “beauty.“ Karen Carpenter had such a overwhelmingly velvety and exquisite voice.
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JOHN GRANT – 2024 TOUR DATES
Jun 15 Brighton, UK Resident Music
Jun 17 Nottingham, UK Rough Trade Nottingham
Jun 18 London, UK Rough Trade East
Jun 18 London, UK Rough Trade East
Jul 19 London, UK Cadogan Hall
Jul 20 London, UK The Shacklewell Arms
Oct 17 London, UK Hackney Church
Oct 18 London, UK Hackney Church
Oct 19 Sunderland, UK The Fire Station
Oct 21 Glasgow, UK Barrowland Ballroom
Oct 22 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street
Oct 24 Cardiff, UK Tramshed
Oct 25 Bristol, UK Beacon Hall, Bristol Beacon
Oct 26 Bexhill-On-Sea, UK De La Warr Pavilion
Oct 28 Birmingham, UK Birmingham Town Hall
Oct 29 Norwich, UK Epic Studios
Oct 31 Manchester, UK New Century
Nov 1 Leeds, UK PROJECT HOUSE
Nov 2 Liverpool, UK Royal Liverpool Philharmonic
Nov 5 Amsterdam, Netherlands Melkweg Max
Nov 6 Cologne, Germany Kulturkirche
Nov 7 Berlin, Germany Columbia Theater
Nov 9 Aarhus, Denmark Train
Nov 10 Copenhagen, Denmark VEGA
Nov 11 Stockholm, Sweden Nalen Stora Salen
Nov 13 Oslo, Norway Rockefeller
Nov 15 Hamburg, Germany Weissenhäuser Strand Hotel
