Influences: Perfume Genius
Put Your Back N 2 It (2012)
Someone close to me once used the term “dirge” to describe some of the songs that I write. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t meant as a compliment. And yet, in the moment, I caught myself feeling a little proud: at least the emotion behind my music was coming through enough to make me feel “seen.” Because I really do love a good dirge.
Many pop musicians, even among the alternative/indie crowd, make music to entertain people. There’s good reason to. Take one look at the Billboard charts and it’s immediately clear that we humans mostly like our pop music to be positive and upbeat (although that may be slowly changing.) I love to feel good with a happy song as much as anyone, just ask my worn-out-from-auto-repeat Katrina and the Waves 1985 cassette tape. But that feeling isn’t what truly draws me in to songwriting.
“Even a super primitive emotion like fear can be tough to express … outside of a therapy session.”
Music has the capacity to express ineffable emotions. I’m pretty sure that’s why we humans make music in the first place. And let’s face it, some emotions are harder than others to express using everyday language. I’m talking about a darker range of emotions like grieving, self-doubt, shame, envy... even a super primitive emotion like fear can be tough to express authentically in conversation, at least outside of a therapy session. But somehow the language of music gives us a way.
So it should come as no surprise that the music of Perfume Genius is high on my list of personal favorites—and of musical influences—especially the 2012 release Put Your Back N 2 It. One of the tracks is even simply titled “Dirge.” Its lyrics are adapted from the last lines of a 1918 poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay in response to the death of a close friend. Both the song and the original poem are gorgeously deep and full expressions of grief.
If you aren’t familiar with the work of Perfume Genius, a.k.a. Mike Hadreas, the Pitchfork review of his second album is a great place to start. Then, take some time to put on a pair of headphones and sit down someplace comfortable when you listen to the album...
Lynkify
You'll find Perfume Genius along with dozens of other artists who have influenced my songwriting on my Spotify artist playlist: The Ellis Court Influencers.
