This Song Is Yours

The Swell Season (Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová)

This Song Is Yours Season 1 Episode 452

Our guests today are The Swell Season, the beloved folk duo of Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard and Czech pianist and singer Markéta Irglová. Since forming in 2005, they’ve captured hearts around the world with their emotive songwriting and cinematic storytelling, soaring to fame through the 2007 film Once, which earned them an Academy Award for “Falling Slowly” and inspired a Tony-winning Broadway musical. After releasing their second album Strict Joyin 2009, Glen and Markéta pursued solo paths, leaving The Swell Season on pause. But this year, they’re reuniting with Forward—their first album together in over 16 years—which is out today. It’s a record that balances evolution and nostalgia, brimming with the raw honesty and beautiful melodies fans fell in love with from the start. In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome both Glen and Markéta to talk about Forward, how the passage of time brought them back to making music together, recording the album in Iceland, and the almost communal living arrangements they shared with their families. We also chat about the lasting legacy of Once and what it feels like to return to the stage with new music.

The Swell Season: Instagram / Spotify 

Glen Hansard: Instagram | Markéta Irglová: Instagram

Find tour dates and more information about The Swell Season here

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