A.C. Marias Sometime (1989)
The Palace of Versailles in Paris is renowned for its architectural grandeur, dazzling gardens and vast collection of paintings, sculptures and furnishings, showcasing the craftsmanship of the 17th and 18th centuries. Amid all this splendor, the palace’s floors might not always receive the attention they deserve. Particularly notable is the lavish parquet in the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s sumptuous salons, which are nothing short of spectacular.
Geometric parquet flooring, as seen in Versailles, involves arranging planks with the grain running in different directions to create contrasts and intricate visual patterns. Cutting wood against the grain requires mastery in itself as it is much more challenging than following the natural lines and fibers of the wood.
The saying “going against the grain” originates from this concept. It means to resist prevailing trends, opinions or practices—much like “swimming against the current” or “marching to the beat of a different drummer.” In A.C. Marias’ ethereal masterpiece “Sometime”, Angela Conway found her own way of expressing this sentiment: “But it's moving for them, When it's shifting for me, And it's stirring for them, When it's standing for me.”
Founded in 1980, the art rock outfit A.C. Marias consisted of Conway and Bruce Gilbert of the legendary (post-)punk band Wire. The duo released a series of singles, culminating in the epic LP One of Our Girls (Has Gone Missing), released in 1989. Shortly after, Conway disbanded the project to focus on her career as a music video director; however, her days as a musician will never be forgotten thanks to her mysterious lyrics and haunting vocal style.
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