Her voice gives you goosebumps, and she sings about the things you don’t talk about. You wouldn’t speak those thoughts – not to mere acquaintances. This intimacy is what makes Dear Reader so special. It is an essence that hasn’t been lost through the tumult of the last two years. If you were at the WITS Great Hall that night you will understand. Remember the soft lights and origami sounds she made?
If you were at the Church in the District, you’ll recall those heartbreakingly dear, homemade paper lanterns. The light shone through coloured cellophane taped over animal-shaped holes, changing our faces to blue and grey. Stringing her voice like tendrils of electric spider webs, she disarmed us.
Dear Reader is essentially Cherilyn MacNeil, the earnest human who wears her heart firmly pinned to her sleeve. Berlin has been her home for the last few years. Since she and co-founder Darryl Torr amicably parted ways, she has developed the sound we have come to expect from Dear Reader. It is still the same enchanting melodies, but now there’s something a little darker, perhaps lonelier, about it. Based in Neuköln, and desperately avoiding hitting dog turds and old ladies with her bicycle, Cheri loves her life in Germany. “When I left, it was an unsettling time for me. Everywhere seemed too small, too suffocating, and I needed a change. I also left because of my work”. The move has proved to be a smart one. It has given her exposure to a range of artists who are unique in their diversity, which has in turn allowed her to experiment more with her sound. “There’s just a lot more that I can do here, and it makes more sense for me to be here but I feel like it’s been too long since I’ve been home. I’m looking forward to playing in South Africa again.”
Her most recent album, Idealistic Animals, was recorded in Germany and Portland under the City Slang record label. It was produced by Brent Knopf, and mixed by John Askew, who made The Dodos’ Visitor record. “It’s denser than the last two albums, more lo-fi,” says MacNeil, “It’s a bit of a Trojan horse. The music is pretty poppy too, but more grown up. When you listen to the words they’re a lot darker than you’d expect. I guess they come as a surprise.” Idealistic Animals is rich with melodrama. It has a harder edge than previous albums but it still remains naive and sweet.
While in Portland, Cherilyn discovered and fell in love with shape-note singing. “It’s the oldest American musical tradition. It’s ancient church music, sung in four parts. People get together just to sing for singing’s sake. They sing really loud, through their noses. It’s like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. You can hear the shape-note singers in a few of the songs like Camel, Whale and Kite”.
MacNeil likens songwriting to gestation. “I write songs when I feel restless, frustrated or confused. It’s usually the negative emotions.” She says music is just a boat that she uses to carry words in. “Music has never really been what drives me to make music. When I feel sick from all the shit going on inside, I need to puke it out. I get a feeling. A few days before a song will come, I know that soon one will be born. Usually it emerges quite whole, with music and words together.”
This unique musician will be weaving her words in South Africa at the end of the year. Cherilyn will be touring with Durban-based Thomas Krane and will be accompanied by some “dear friends” on various instruments. “The SA shows are going to be the stripped down Dear Reader. Expect more naked, intimate versions of the songs,” she says. Expect to be entranced by her peculiar mix of fragility and catharsis. It has been a long time coming.
For more info on Dear Reader or to check out her SA tour dates in December & January go to: dearreadermusic.com
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