The Chart Show: Voters Chime in for Dessa
by Mark Wheat
January 11, 2018
Dessa makes it to the top this week, the first local #1 of 2018! But how long will we be able to call her local? Apparently she has a NYC residence too now and she's giving a keynote speech there this weekend on...Neuroscience?!?!
The Staves and ymusic are the biggest climbers, up 8 places to #3. When the three sisters from Watford UK were in town to play at the Eaux Claires Festival, 2015, where this collaboration was born, they sat down with me to discuss how they put their music together.
The highest new entry is from the War On Drugs who's "Deeper Understanding" is nominated for a Grammy this year for best rock album. Only 18 days left until the big award ceremony, which could be full of gender politics. The Grammy website has certainly been upgraded this year with lots of eye catching videos and pictures, like the revealing one of Lady Gaga, one of the performers, front and center at the top of the page.
LCD Soundsystem were also nominated for best dance album, although they're currently losing out to Gorillaz in the readers choice poll on the above website. But if they stay on next week, they'll be the first inductees to the Chart Hall of Fame for 2018 and that will make 5 inductions in total putting them just outside the Top 20 on our All Time Hall of Fame Chart.
Spoon slid down to #7 this week, with another song from the #1 Album on our Top 89! On Monday we broadcast the Micro Show they did for us late last year at The Turf Club. It was just Britt and Alex of the band doing stripped down versions of songs from their entire catalog.
Franz Ferdinand are joint highest movers also up 8 places this week to #10. An ironic number for them to be at, as last weekend they criticized the woman who lives at #10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Theresa May. The drummer wore an NHS t-shirt on the telly, referring to the famed British National Health Care system which the PM has cut funding to. She was a guest on the same show, as they unveiled another track from 'Always Ascending' which arrives on February 9.
JD McPherson dropped a couple of places to #11, but I hope that crying will not be a thing that he does at our 13th Birthday Party, when he headlines the Saturday installment! Tickets are still available.
Superorganism slumped to unlucky 13 on our chart but bounced back impressively by releasing their second single, 'Everybody Wants To Be Famous', which seems to be a self-referential ode to the internet success they've achieved so far.
Submit your Chart Show ballot this week for a chance to win a pair of tickets to both nights of The Current's 13th Birthday Party at First Avenue on January 19 and 20!