Naima Bock shares cover of ‘So Long, Marianne’
NAIMA BOCK SHARES COVER OF LEONARD COHEN’S ‘SO LONG, MARIANNE’
EU SUPPORT DATES WITH SQUID BEGIN 15 SEPTEMBER
HEADLINE UK DATES IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER INCLUDING SHOW AT LONDON’S EARTH ON 10 NOVEMBER
“Giant Palm is at once a statement of Naima Bock’s enormous ambition as a solo artist […] and at the same time a celebration of the communal”
The Quietus ‘Music Of The Month’
“Giant Palm is a stellar debut and one of 2022’s more distinct releases”
8/10 The Line of Best Fit ‘Album of the Week’
“A record as unique as Bock’s history”
8/10 Loud and Quiet ‘Album of the Week’
“This album has an unforced charm, making it an ideal accompaniment to long summer nights”
4/5 The Times
“Exquisite solo debut”
4/5 Mojo
“Sharply observed, sumptuously arranged”
7.8 Pitchfork
Listen to ‘So Long, Marianne’ here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LIIFfSCZr0
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website
Naima Bock has today shared a cover of Leonard Cohen’s archetypal masterpiece, ‘So Long, Marianne’, available now from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. The track was engineered & produced by Ali Chant at The Playpen Studio in Bristol.
Naima shares about the cover:
“I first found out about Leonard Cohen’s ‘So Long Marianne’ when I was walking in Fordham Park in New Cross, London as a young teenager. I saw ‘To laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again’ inscribed on a bench plate in memory of a woman called Marianne (this bench has now sadly gone). The lyrics touched me in a profound way, and I remember crying a little when I saw them. These words in the context of someone’s passing were so profound and (for me) encompassed all of life and its constant tides. Of course, I later went home and listened the hell out of Mr. Cohen, which I would continue to do for many years after, always finding safety in his voice and words.
We (myself and the band) had been playing this song as a cover during our tours in 2022 and when we went in with Ali Chant we decided to record a live version of it. I always felt nervous about recording a cover of Leonard Cohen, it obviously never stands up to the original but I wanted to do it justice and if nothing else, try not to diminish it in any way. My feelings around this recording were somewhat complicated and although I could recognise how good the band (Meitar Wegman on Saxophone, Cassidy Hansen on drums, Clem Appleby on bass/ electric guitar and Oliver Hamilton on violin, everyone on backing vocals) sounded, I didn’t like my vocal delivery. That is until I heard the backing vocals come in on a later chorus and something inside me clicked and I fell in love with what we had done.
I have always felt hugely supported by the musicians I play with and when I heard their voices in this recording it reminded me to be accepting and LOVING of imperfections, imperfections in my voice which I have always (like many singers) been painfully aware of, imperfections in art, in myself. I thought if I didn’t want to present something imperfect to the world then where do I stand morally in regards to what people consume, perfection only? This is the reality for many people, not just in artistic expression but in appearance, career trajectory etc. perfection only pleases. This is not only unrealistic but also detrimental to our minds and souls, we never will be perfect and if all we consume feels like it is, then we must be less. This is not a game that I will support, so here it is, my lovingly given imperfect version of ‘So long, Marianne’. I also altered the lyrics from ‘Violet park’ to ‘Fordham park’ to honour the Marianne who introduced me (from the other side) to Leonard Cohen.”
In July last year, Naima Bock released her debut album Giant Palm via Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. Praised for it’s originality and ambition, the album was heralded as one of 2022’s finest debuts with features from The Quietus, Uncut, Loud and Quiet, Clash and more as well as receiving rave reviews including ‘Album of the Week’ from The Line of Best Fit and Loud and Quiet.The album was also included on Pitchfork’s ‘34 Great Records You May Have Missed‘, Spring/Summer list as well as multiple year end lists including Loud & Quiet (#22), Stereogum (#24), For The Rabbits (#16), Clash and Our Culture, and #1 on Brooklyn Vegan’s ‘Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022‘.
Giant Palm is now available now on vinyl, CD and cassette here:
https://europe.subpop.com/release/372788-naima-bock-giant-palm
Photo credit: Holly Whitaker
High-res images can be found here.
Tour dates:
15 Sep – Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz ^
16 Sep – Zurich, CH @ Mascotte ^
19 Sep – Milan, It @ Santeria Social Club ^
21 Sep – Barcelona, ES @ Sala Apolo ^
22 Sep – Valencia, ES @ Teatro La Rambleta ^
23 Sep – Madrid, ES @ Sala Copernico ^
24 Sep – Bordeaux, FR @ Rock School Barbey ^
25 Sep – Paris, FR @ Elysee Montmartre^
27 Sep – Rouen, FR @ Le 106 ^25 Oct – Totnes @ The Albatross
26 Oct – Falmouth @ The Cornish Bank
3 Nov – Hebden Bridge @ The Trades Club
5 Nov – Manchester @ Deaf Institute
9 Nov – Bristol @ Dareshack
10 Nov – London @ EartH
23 Nov – Vienna, AT @ Blue Bird Festival (Porgy & Bess)^ w/ Squid
Tickets are available here:
https://www.naimabock.com/
Praise for Naima Bock:
“Giant Palm is at once a statement of Naima Bock’s enormous ambition as a solo artist […] and at the same time a celebration of the communal”
The Quietus ‘Music Of The Month’
“Giant Palm is a stellar debut and one of 2022’s more distinct releases”
8/10 The Line of Best Fit ‘Album of the Week’
“A record as unique as Bock’s history”
8/10 Loud and Quiet ‘Album of the Week’
“This album has an unforced charm, making it an ideal accompaniment to long summer nights”
4/5 The Times
“Exquisite solo debut”
4/5 Mojo
“Ten tracks that occupy their own lifeforce, almost set in motion by the elements”
4/5 DIY
“Sharply observed, sumptuously arranged”
7.8 Pitchfork
“Quiet, melancholy and occasionally divinely uplifting”
Uncut
“Exquisite […] a truly special listen”
Clash
“A ray of optimism”
The Guardian
“A compelling first step into the spotlight that suggests great things to come”
The Forty Five
“Bock’s music is like discovering you have a false wall when renovating your house. That, once knocked down, reveals a chamber of trinkets to unearth”
Secret Meeting ‘Single of the Week’
“A strong contender to be one of 2022’s breakout stars”
For The Rabbits
“A mightily impressive introduction”
God Is In The TV