Way back in early 2011, Fran and I finished the Seeräuber Jenny album. Much musical happiness abounded, artwork was created, plans were made. But underneath the shiny activity lurked a dark and growing problem, a clash between the pressured industry machinations of management and myself, and the hobbyist DIY ethos of Fran. As ambitions and plans were ramped up, it became more and more apparent that Fran felt she was losing control of her own project.
One major sticking point in the masterplan was Fran’s niggling doubts about the live show, more precisely that the band we had built around her, however musically solid, wasn’t a real band in the sense of being a bunch of mates from home. Which was obviously completely true, and it bugged her.
So Fran was given the summer of 2011 to scour her stomping grounds for a new live lineup, the intention being to pick up where we left off later in the year. The summer passed slowly by with the occasional reassurance from Fran it was going OK, but with nothing tangible to show for it. When we finally reached a point where we really needed to see something, she admitted she hadn’t made any progress at all. She had also come to the realisation over that summer that she had been much happier without the demands that we had been placing on her, and maybe she was better off without Seeräuber Jenny altogether.
It would be quite a big fib to say this wasn’t a disappointment. A lot of love and effort had been put into the project on the basis of what we had taken to be Fran’s commitment to it, but in the end, as the say, although you can lead a horse to water you can’t make it drink. So we agreed to call it a day.
Since then, I’ve gone back to the day job as Mint Royale, and Fran… well Fran has distanced herself from everyone else involved so we don’t really know what she is doing. I hope she is well and still making music. Maybe you know? But the one thing we agreed on at the end was that the album should at some point be heard.
And that point appears to have arrived judging by the fact I’m writing this. So here it is, either to stream or download, to transiently skip through or to keep and cherish. I might change my mind and take the download down at some point. If you like it, great, if not, at least it didn’t cost you anything, which seems like a good deal to me.
So, if you came to a gig, watched a video, bought a single, got in touch, worked with us, anything, we thank you. But for now, I’m afraid it is time to say auf wiedersehen.
Neil (and, in spirit, Fran)
x
I’m going to go ahead and love this album until my ears fall off.
*hugs everyone*
I hoped you’d see this Sami – shame we never managed to get you to a gig in the end x
Cheers, Neil – I guess it just wasn’t meant to be after all, but I can strap on my headphones and dream. At least I know you’ll keep being awesome doing the Mint Royale, and I’m sure whatever Fran ends up doing in the future, she’ll be superb x
I was anticipating for Seerauberjenny to be the talk of the town and it’s something that undeservedly, never formulated. I have a lot of love for Fran and whilst it’s a shame that the project never worked out, I have a lot of respect for her not compromising her artistic values. Despite all, I’ll be listening to this album a lot.
This is really nice. I have lots of happy Seeräuber Jenny memories and it seems so sad reading this, but the music you created together was brilliant and I’ll always love it. I loved being a groupie for a while x
You were a fantastic groupie! Hope all is good x
these were beautiful days. thanks neil, fran, kat and h for lots of great times.
I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful this album is without getting a bit misty. Tragedy is the only word that seems to describe the sudden end to this project. Thanks Neil (& you too Fran) for appearing on my show, for the chit-chats at the gigs and for creating a rather beautiful, timeless album I shall always cherish.
Christopher
After just 30 minutes I have alreasdy clocked up multiple listens of We’ll Cast Lots, Avalanche and Push It Away – absolutely superb. Great album, rubbish ending, if you see what I mean
Best, Jason
Also, you can still pick up the singles (what I just did
) from the lovely folks at Norman Records – http://www.normanrecords.com/poogle/index.php?q=Seerauber+Jenny
bittersweet
definition: finally finding that the album has been released but only because that’s the end of it all.
I rarely get evangelical about a band, but SJ were definitely one.
I’ve loved everything I could get my ears on since summer 2010, caught a gig and thought it worked really well. Sorry I won’t get to see another but so glad you’ve made the material available.
my best wishes and gratitude to Neil & the enigmatic Fran – and best of luck with your future (respective) projects
wow! so sorry that the project is over but thank you for the album, i will certainly cherish it!!! best of luck in the future to everyone involved!
It’ s so sad to see this go. The album is brilliant and TEMPER -I say it again- is one of the best songs I ever had the pleasure to listen to. Brilliant. Bittersweet.
Fran, come back.