Friday’s Five Tunes with Dési Ducrot

Always wondered what pop stars themselves listen to whenever they are not on stage or writing new music? It’s time to find out! Every week, A Bit of Pop Music will bring you Friday’s Five Tunes, a selection of five favourite songs by a current pop artist. This week Dési Ducrot tells us all about the songs she fell completely in love with.

Exciting times are around the corner for Dési Ducrot! The Dutch singer-songwriter who mixes pop with Americana influences, will release her debut album In Too Deep on the 26th of January. Ducrot has been steadily growing a following with singles like ‘Don’t Tell Me You’re A Poet’ and ‘In Too Deep’. Her sound ranges from fully acoustic to light electronic pop infusions while her vocals have a distinct country feel about them. Leading up to the album release in Paradiso, Desi will promote the beautiful new single ‘To Gold’. In the midst of all this, she made some time to discuss her favourite songs with us!

Israel Nash – Rexanimarum
“This might be the song I’ve listened to most in the past year. It’s an ode to the late James Brown by Israel Nash. And boy, did he do right by him. They are the best band I have seen playing live, ever. When this man starts singing there is magic happening in the room.”

Fairport Convention – Who Knows Where The Times Goes
“Sandy Denny is a genius and Fairport Convention is one of my all time favorite bands. ‘Who Knows Where The Time Goes’ is life in a song. It’s so beautiful and comforting, although I get weirdly weepy every time I hear it. Her vocals are sublime. This song will play at my wedding, my funeral and a million times in between.”

Zella Day – Sweet Ophelia
“This is just such a banger. So catchy and an all round great pop song. Zella Day got me hooked with her Americana inspired song ‘Jameson’ and eversince I have been listening to her album Kicker quite a lot. I think this song mostly made the list because I have fond memories of this one night we had it on repeat a few years back. That is all I can say about it, because my mom might read this!”

Gillian Welch – Everything Is Free
“This song is my anthem. I chose it to represent my first love, my truest love: Americana music. Nothing moves me, shakes me to my core, soothes my soul, like a good Americana song. Preferably brilliant in its simplicity and so true it hurts. This song is just that. Also, Gillian Welch’s voice is possibly my favorite voice in the world.”

Hanni El Khatib – You Rascal You
“This song is dark, raunchy and just cool as fuck. I love everything this man creates. I go see him live every chance I get. ‘You Rascal You’ is the first song by Hanni El Khatib that ever graced my ears. T’was the start of a long standing love affair.”