Stupendously, wonderfully, Southern. *Pours out a drink*

This solo is nasty...he had fun with that one

Armellodie Records is proud to present Dunfermline’s Dan Lyth and the Euphrates with their new album, Benthic Lines, released as a Deluxe book (that’s right, we said book!) with CD and/or download on Monday 12th May 2014.

Dan Lyth was born in the Middle East but has lived most of his life in Dunfermline, Fife. A sound designer by day, Lyth began work on Benthic Lines some five years ago, his intention to record an album entirely outdoors. On rooftops and rowing boats, in forests and high streets, mountains and quarries, ruined churches and beaches, car parks and peat bogs. Anywhere really, as long as it was outside!

Having first had the idea while on a trip to Sierra Leone, Lyth quickly realised that it's one thing to daydream of such a plan whilst in the tropics and quite another to actually attempt it back at home in Scotland. 

“I think some part of me took perverse pleasure in the thought of having to undergo some real physical exertion to make this record. I have also always been drawn to creative work that has taken a considerable amount of effort, and recording an album outdoors whilst living in Scotland with its devious climate seemed to fit the bill.”

In an age when it seems anyone can produce an album in their bedroom, Benthic Lines attempts to re-explore the relationship between music and the environment in which it is created. What happens to a recording when you have no control over the surroundings? What anomalies and accidents may occur? And would it be possible to weave together the unpredictable sounds of these environments with more traditional performances to create a cohesive whole?

As Lyth’s fondness of field recording has grown more ambitious, so too has his talent as a songwriter. Album opener ‘All My Love’ is testament to this, merging the mythological with the reality of the uncertainties that are brought when becoming a father for the first time. The vivid imagery of ‘Four Creatures’, written from the perspective of someone living in Syria, draws upon Islamic and Christian eschatological imagery to startling effect.

The influence of Steve Reich is worth noting, from the repetitive female vocal sounds on ‘Standing Start’ to the cyclic piano and accordion patterns of ‘Super Nature’ and ‘Earth Broke Its Vow’, Lyth is the first to admit of his affection for Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians. 

“A big chunk of inspiration came from Steve Reich’s work and one of the main aims of the album in terms of the arrangements was to try and make music that sounds electronic or programmed but is actually all live acoustic instruments.” says Lyth. 

Benthic Lines are the deep sea communication cables through which the world is now connected, and communication is a recurring theme throughout the record ("the cables installed along ocean floors is where we had lived too long for sure" sings Lyth on ‘How It Happened’). How our constant use of communication technology can affect our thought processes and relationships (“We shot some video, scenes that would not be shown, think what you will but the devil’s in the pixels on my phone”, sings Lyth on ‘Four Creatures’).   With recording having taken place in locations as far afield as Morocco, Australia, Turkey and Uganda, Dan is also exploring the lines of human connection and lines of ancestry.

Designed with love by graphic artist Sarah Lyth, the album arrives in a beautifully bound 60-page book and includes photos from the array of recording locations. Cover art from celebrated New York artist Matthew Cusick and an accompanying short story, Already Here, by talented Fifer Craig Rennie complete the desirable artefact that is Benthic Lines. So what has Lyth got to say for himself now that his affair with the great outdoors is almost over.

“After travelling, listening, recording and being constantly surprised over the course of the five years and four continents that I’ve made Benthic Lines, what will really stay with me is not only all the wonderful sounds we heard but also the many inquisitive, open-minded and generous people we met along the way. But it wasn’t all romantic. It’s quite hard work transporting a drum kit to a remote derelict church or dragging a piano out of a small flat. There were broken mic stands, bleeding fingers and failing batteries. And there was rain, a lot of rain.”


DAN LYTH & THE EUPHRATES - All My Love

Directions in a Foreign Tounge 
Corey Primus - Never Again


Buy on iTunes

Never Again

Archy & Mehitabel - Let Go

DEBUT ALBUM 'VISIONS' NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH BANDCAMP

https://seanoneill1.bandcamp.com/

I Know You Worry

New track from the new up and coming album The Garden released April 13th 2015.

Robin Adams - Holy Smoke

“Trials, Troubles, Tribulations” is an American bluegrass gospel song written by Estil C. Ball. Here it is performed by Sounds of the South, a project featuring Justin Vernon (Bon Iver, Volcano Choir), Sharon Van Etten, Megafaun, Matthew E. White, and Fight the Big Bull. The project, organized by Megafaun, initially appeared at Duke Performances in North Carolina and MusicNOW in Cincinnati, Ohio, and subsequently traveled to Australia's Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House.

This is the first song from the compilation MusicNOW: 10 Years set for digital release on March 10th, 2015, just prior to the 10th edition of this eclectic music festival of the same name founded in 2006 by Bryce Dessner of The National. MusicNOW Festival set out with a mission to present the best in contemporary music, offer artists an opportunity to take risks, commission new work and attempt innovative collaborations.

The 16 track live album highlights festival-only surprises like Fleet Foxes leader Robin Pecknold playing the traditional song “Silver Dagger” for the first time, the debut performance of Grizzly Bear’s “While You Wait for the Others”, the premiere of Sufjan Stevens’ “The Owl & The Tanager”, as well as collaborations featuring Owen Pallett, Justin Vernon, Sharon van Etten, Tinariwen and Dirty Projectors.

Pre-orders for digital and physical formats will begin on Tuesday February 17th at http://bit.ly/musicnow10

“Many of my most significant memories as a musician have taken place in Cincinnati during the MusicNOW Festival over the last 10 years, “ says founder Bryce Dessner. “When we started, we were driven to create an intimate music festival that was as much a creative refuge for the artists as it is for the audience to partake in intimate and rare performances. We have celebrated works in progress and new commissions, new collaborations and detailed music of all kinds regardless of genre or popularity. “ 

Dessner is widely known as the guitarist for The National. Those a little more in the know are aware of Bryce’s work in performance projects (such as The Long Count) and classical composition (including his work with Brassland label artists Clogs). MusicNOW was founded as a way for Bryce to explore all facets of his artistic interests and has served as a collaborative laboratory that provides a friendly and supportive audience for internationally renowned artists. Through the years, Dessner has guided MusicNOW to become the premiere event for blurring the imagined lines that divide musical genres. 

This year’s MusicNOW festival will take place on March 11-15. For the full schedule and more details visit http://www.musicnowfestival.org


Sounds of the South: "Trials, Troubles, Tribulations"

The Tallest Man On Earth - 'Dark Bird Is Home' out May 11, 2015 on Dead Oceans

SCD/direct: smarturl.it/ttmoe
Amazon: smarturl.it/ttmoe_amazon
iTunes: smarturl.it/ttmoe_itunes
Independent stores: smarturl.it/ttmoe_indies

The Tallest Man On Earth - 'Dark Bird Is Home' out May 11, 2015 on Dead Oceans


Dark Bird Is Home

Buy Now!

The Tallest Man On Earth - "Dark Bird Is Home"

Taken from the forth-coming album "Trick of the Light" due for release on October 6th 2017. 

Diversion Records - US & CAN
Butterfly Collectors - G.A.S
Fierce Panda - UK

http://www.woodenarms.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/Woodenarmsband/
https://twitter.com/woodenarmsband
https://www.instagram.com/woodenarmsmusic/

Wooden Arms - Lost In Your Own Home

The Fold - WICKERBIRD

Bear's den - The waters

Brassland is an artist-operated label started in 2001 by The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner (http://brycedessner.com) and writer Alec Hanley Bemis (soundcloud.com/a-h-b). We encourage collaboration and creation among an evolving assortment of creative folks.

We are NOT actively seeking demos. But if you'd like to message us try http://brassland.org/contact.php

Sounds of the South: "Trials, Troubles, Tribulations"

Brassland

Recent comments

Maria

GasMac

Anna Redistuo

jakedball

Related tracks