Warm and dark, soft with stabs of madness, poet and songwriter Jenny Berkel’s new album, These Are the Sounds Left from Leaving – out May 13th via Outside Music – blooms lushly with detail. Each song is set in the micro-world of a keen feeling observer, trying to parse a mindful moment in a setting where it feels impossible to drop a truth anchor – a post-Trump, heavily gaslit world where perceptions of reality remain distorted.
Written about a summer relationship that took place in a city with little gardens everywhere, “Lavender City” intimately examines lies. A breakup song with crescendoing strings, insistent percussion and hopeful harmonies, it’s about gaining the capacity to see clearly again – but with the painful entailment of anatomizing the lies that drew you in.
In our interview, Berkel tells us why she loves the songs that break her heart.
Explain the title of your album.
It took me ages and ages to settle on an album title. At first I was convinced I wanted a one-word title—something to encapsulate the feeling or heart of it. I had a few ideas but none of them felt right. Then I sent the album to a handful of poet friends to see if any lines jumped out at them. Several of them suggested the same line, so for quite a long time I was settled on a different name. Then I started to re-think (overthink?) it again and went back through the song lyrics. These Are the Sounds Left from Leaving is taken from “You Think You’re like the Rain,” and I’m not sure how I didn’t realize that was the album title all along. I wrote most of the album after a sudden move that meant a quieter and more isolated life, and it was that process and place that brought these particular songs out.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
I almost always write music and lyrics side-by-side. Although I do write poetry too, I rarely take poems that I’ve written and turn them into songs. For songs, I find that the language and melody are best if they grow together. The chords, melody, and rhythm help create and shape the lyrics. I often start a song with a melody that simply has shapes of vowels, which eventually turn into an image or idea. Then I follow that image or idea while still allowing the song to help pull the sounds and words into existence. Sometimes I return to the lyrics after I’ve finished a song and do some finessing to ensure they feel clear and right, but I almost always start the music and lyrics together.
Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.
“Talk to Me of Mendocino” by Kate & Anna McGarrigle. Most of my favourite songs are songs that have the potential to make me cry. I like songs that are full of longing or sadness, and I like voices that feel full of emotion. I also love songs that that are poetic but accessible. And I love good harmonies. This song has all of those things. There’s also a live version of this song on Youtube that was recorded after Kate McGarrigle died. Anna McGarrigle (her sister) sings it with Kate’s two kids, Martha and Rufus Wainright. It’s truly so beautiful and heartbreaking.
Tell us about your favorite show you’ve ever played.
There have been so many shows that are memorable for many reasons. But one show in particular jumps to my mind right now. In 2017, I did a short tour that combined music and poetry. I stopped in Toronto, Montreal, and Winnipeg. My own set was a blend of songs and poems, and in each city different poets and musicians were part of the show. The Toronto one was particularly special. Two incredible poets shared their work: Bardia Sinaee and Noor Naga (both of whom have released their debut full-length collections since then). James Irwin, another performer who is both a writer and musician, was also on the bill. The room was quiet and full of really warm and vibrant energy. It was the starting point of me realizing that I wanted to find more ways for those two worlds and crafts to co-exist.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
Somebody once gave me an original pressing of Karen Dalton’s In My Own Time, which was such a special gift. I love Karen Dalton so very much. The first time I heard her voice, I truly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It’s tender and strong and rough and beautiful, all at the same time. This person knew that I was a fan and decided to gift me with this very special copy of the record.