R.I.P. Glen Hansard
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This morning I awoke to a notification on my phone from one of my brothers. I don't usually check my phone first thing in the morning, but something compelled me today. I do use my phone as my alarm, but I usually just turn that off, then start my day. Today was different. I think maybe it was due to the fact that he sent me a story on two different sites. I had to check. What I read really bummed me out today. My brother sent me a few stories to let me know that Glen Hansard had tragically died in a motorcycle accident.
For those that may not know, Hansard is a musician and actor of note. Growing up in my house we watched the movie "The Commitments" a ton. My parents have always liked old soul music and movies that are about bands making music. My brothers and I all have very eclectic taste in music. We cross paths a lot, but we also all have our own taste. And everyone in my family likes odd movies. Some of us, me specifically, like weirder movies than others, but we do enjoy independent movies. I have not gone back and watched "The Commitments" in years, I have heard it isn't as great as I thought. But I do remember Hansard very vividly in that movie. He was a guitar player in the band, he had long curly hair and it was bright red. He instantly grabbed my attention as a kid. I have never seen hair like that before. It didn't hurt that he was an outstanding guitar player as well. His character and performance always stuck with me, all the way to adulthood in fact.
Then, like most of the world, I fell in love with Hansard and Marketa Irglova all over again after seeing the movie "Once". "Once" is one of the best movies ever about forming a band and making music that means something to you. I saw the movie multiple times in theaters, bought it the moment it was released on DVD and still revisit it from time to time. I also wore that soundtrack out. I listened to it over and over again. I knew every nook and cranny of that soundtrack. Sure, "Falling Slowly" is an all time hit and Oscar winner, but I also loved tracks like "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy", "All The Way Down" and especially "Say It To Me Now". These songs became a part of my everyday life after watching the movie and buying the soundtrack. I was totally hooked. And his performance, along with Irglova as well, was beautiful. "Once" worked on every single level for me. I adore the movie to this day and I will be watching it again very soon in memory of Hansard.
After the movie became a hit, Irglova and Hansard went on a tour, and I was lucky enough to see them in Saint Louis. The show was spectacular. Those two really knew how to play together and they crushed it at The Pageant. I remember sitting in the venue with my dad and him telling me he could tell I was just in awe of their talent. That show has a special place in my heart because it was one of the best, yet most stripped down live concerts I've ever seen.
After watching that show I decided it was time to listen to Hansard's band, The Frames. I really dove deep into their stuff. They were like a rock band, but they had some heavy folk influences. It was wild to hear them play music with distortion, but whenever Hansard's powerful vocals would show up, I knew I was in very good hands. He had this amazing voice that would take over everything in the best way possible.
After Eddie Vedder made the soundtrack for "Into The Wild" I was fortunate enough, again, to see him play live at the Fox here in Saint Louis. I was already hyped for the show, and then I read that Glen Hansard was going to be the opener, and he was going to be playing solo, acoustic versions of his work. This made me even more hype. I made sure that the people I was going with knew that we had to see Hansard perform that night, and boy am I glad they obliged. He was magnetic. He was playing the guitar he used in "Once" and it was a glorious opening set. Hansard played for about 45 minutes and hit every song I wanted to hear him play with just his voice and an acoustic guitar. He even joined Vedder for some songs and they played very well together. I remember leaving that show and being in a wonderful mood. Vedder is a superstar, but getting to see Hansard in that way in such a prestigious venue, that is another show I will never forget.
I don't know all the details of what happened, or how the accident occured, but I do know that his passing has made me very sad this morning. He was so young, still in his 50's. I'm sure he was still making music. I am going to have to go out and find what he made before his untimely and tragic death. I am going to miss him very much, and I didn't know him at all. I was, and still am, just a big fan of his work.
Rest In Peace Glen Hansard. I know you are plucking your guitar wherever you may be right now.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.
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