This week seems to be dedicated to Iranian and Kamancheh music. We are featuring a band from Australia called ZÖJ, a multicultural project. Their sound captures the essence of Australia’s world music scene, with subtle influences reminiscent of a more Persian-inspired Dead Can Dance.
Australia
Sarah Hopkins & Alan Lamb – Sky Song
Until a few days ago, I was unaware of Sarah Hopkins and her remarkable work. She is regarded as a master in improvising with the cello and overtone singing, creating incredible soundscapes with her voice and instruments. In her recent album, she collaborated with the late Alan Lamb, known for Continue Reading
picnic – picnic
I am going to assume that picnic hails from Australia, as this is where their record label, Dais Art, is based. The album has a cinematic, drone-laden feel, but rather than being foreboding, it’s a very warm-sounding album. Imagine music to swim in warm waters to. Quite pleasant!
Jeff Gburek – Madhuwanti
Madhuwanti is a collection of guitar instrumentals played sublimely by Jeff Gburek. The title name itself comes from Hindustani music and can read about further here. The playing is as honey-like as the title implies. How, you ask? Let the good man explain further at his Bandcamp site: “Madhu means Continue Reading
Fathomage – The Doxologion Codex
I never thought the dungeon synth genre would produce excellent Orthodox Christian music, but he we are. Fathomage are from Australia, and they produce a music that, though generally electronic, incorporate Eastern Orthodox doxology, Celtic Christian themes and fine folkish instrumentation.
Loren Connors & David Grubbs – Evening Air
What an absolutely sublime record performed by two legends, released on one of the best labels in operation today. From Room40’s Bandcamp site: “Evening Air is the result Loren Connors and David Grubbs’s first trip to the recording studio in the two decades since their first duo album, Arborvitae (Häpna). Continue Reading
Willebrant – Coastal___
Karl Willebrant released an EP’s worth of meditative music that would be appealing to fans of groups like Embryo and Popol Vuh. The tunes are gentle, a bit on the kosmische side, and well-balanced in terms of its sonic character. This is a rather fine little release.
Love 666 – Take a Chance on Death
A quick warning ahead of time – do NOT put this in your hi-fi stereo system. Love 666’s latest album is about as lo-fi as it gets, and considering the audience chatter, this has to be a live recording. The music is harsh, brutally in-your-face noise-rock that bands like Les Continue Reading
Dirty Three – Love Changes Everything
After a long, rather painful, but necessary break, we are back! Thank you kindly for your patience. We start off with an album I’ve anticipated for awhile now, as I have been immersing myself in the works of Dirty Three’s leader Warren Ellis and his collaborations with Nick Cave as Continue Reading
Chapovski – Fogged, Encased
Bleak and morose, this is the debut recording (as far as I know) of Alexander Chapovski, related to the Čapovski clan of musicians from North Macedonia. There’s a thread of Tindersticks, Leonard Cohen and Swans in this piece, perhaps a neofolk influence as well. I look forward to hear his Continue Reading