The star of the film Once and an Academy Award-winner, The Swell Season's Marketa Irglova continues her musical journey with her solo debut, Anar.
Most people get to choose their calling in life while, for some, life just seems to make that decision for them. For 23-year-old Academy Award-winner Marketa Irglova, the latter scenario seems to have been the case. In 2006, at the age of 18, she was chosen to act in and write music for a small independent movie that would thrust her into a global spotlight on Hollywood’s biggest night. That moment and the subsequent success of her musical career as one half of The Swell Season were the furthest thing from her mind when she accepted the role of “girl” in the film Once. There was no plan in place, no career path, just a teenager enjoying an opportunity offered from a friend which led to a magical moment and the current of life sweeping her up and taking over.
While she’d always intended to make music with the hopes of touring the world, being famous was the last thing she ever wanted or was in search of. In the days, months and years that have followed, she has remained busy with music—touring and recording with The Swell Season and as a vocalist in the band Iron and Wine. Along the way, there have been a few opportunities too good to pass up, such as loaning her voice to an episode of The Simpsons and giving early feedback on the upcoming musical version of Once, which opens on Broadway on Mar 18. The two constants throughout have been the way she’s conducted herself as her life was turned upside down and music's place at the forefront of her desires.
Anti Records released Anar, Irglova's first full-length solo album, on Oct 11, 2011. Citing references ranging from Otis Redding, to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, to the soundtrack from Jesus Christ Super Star, Irglova pulled from numerous influences to create a delicate balance of ethereal vocals and expansive instrumentals on her 12-track debut. Irglova was able to use Anar as a creative outlet to document and express her personal experiences with music and self-discovery over the last few years, making this album highly personal. These songs are an insight into a soul mature beyond her years. With nowhere to go but forward, the album was born from a period when Irglova began her move from the serene, pastoral landscape of Ireland to the energetic, modern surroundings of New York City.
$12 adv / $15 day of show.