AnotherYou [short ed]

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

You Sit At Your Table And Write

I Heard The Old Men Say

LYRICS:
Aj zelen bore, malice moja
Ojana zelen bore malice moja.

Aj da biš (j)o, aj suši(ni ni)ja,
Ojana da biš (j)o, aj suši(ni ni)ja.

Aj pod tobon, aj san malice moja,
Ojana pod tobon, aj san malice mo(no)ja.

Aj tebe po, aj ljubi(ni ni)jo,
Ojana tebe po, aj ljubi(ni ni) jo.

Poljubi, aj jo malice moja,
Ojana poljubi, aj jo malice moja.

Veja - 02 - Zelen Bor

Even though disco music was considered harmless in Soviet Union – you really can’t sing about politics to dancers – there wasn’t released many Estonian disco tracks on vinyl records. Frotee found from archives two incredible previously unreleased disco tracks by Elektra. Sung in beautiful Estonian language by young highschool girls and backed by pretty tight instrumental group. While "Meid kaasa muusika viib" (originally "Jump To The Beat") is good for busy dancefloors, the cover version of "You Might Need Somebody", "Keegi", sounds even smoother in Estonian. Limited picture sleeve 7” with liner notes.

Now available http://frotee.net/en/shop

Elektra - Keegi / Meid kaasa muusika viib 7" FRO004 sampler

From upcoming album ''Nelgid''/''Carnations''
Available on CD and Itunes from 21.6.14
On vinyl from 1.8.14
Written and performed by Vaiko Eplik
Back vocals - Anelle Trepp

itunes.apple.com/ee/album/nelgid/id890539530

et-ee.facebook.com/pages/Vaiko-Epl…7945405?fref=nf

Juulia

Driving alone at night-
Eyes are heavy,
Road is tight-
Driving alone at night.

If this is the longest path,
You will lead me the way
If this is the longest road-
I just can't drive without you

Cant drive without you
Cant drive without you
- So lead me the way

Produced and performed by I Wear* Experiment – the partnership between Hando Jaksi (guitars, keys, sound design), Mikk Simson (drums & percussion) and Johanna Eenma (vocals & keys)
 
Recording engineer, mix & master by José Diogo Neves
Songs written by Hando Jaksi
Lyrics written by I Wear* Experiment
Co-producers – José Diogo Neves & Martin Kuut
 
Additional musicians
Mikk Uusmäe – trumpet & french horn
Erki Pärnoja – french horn
Ingmar Leerimaa - trombone
Tõnu Tubli – trombone
Sandra Sillamaa –bagpipes,  flute, jews harp
Marie Trei – violin
Marianne Leibur -violin
Greten Lehtmaa – viola
Johanna Mängel – cello
Kai Anni – backing vocals
 
Art Director – Kati Stimmer


Driving Alone At Night

From debut album Ground of Its Own, released June 2012.

Sam’s Mercury Award nominated 2012 debut album is a work several years in conception which brought together a multitude of experiences and influences for a musician who has cut an unique course in his artistic development. This 8-track release mixed by the legendary John Wood (of Nick Drake fame) comprises material gleaned from years of research and exploration into the forgotten songs and sounds of the British Isles.

The Ballad of George Collins

VossastRil - T. Kvifte

Kullakarva

Säde

Trad.Attack! is an Estonian trio whose sound can fill stadiums and is excited about folk re-invention. As their name suggests, their approach to songcraft is with great vigour, power and passion. 

In the nine years since coming together, Trad.Attack! has released 5 albums, reached every continent and performed in 38 countries at significant festivals such as the Woodford Folk Festival (Australia), Womad (UK, Chile), Rudolstadt Festival (Germany), Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia) and many significant showcase festivals (e.g. Womex, Folk Alliance International). 

Back home in Estonia, Trad.Attack! blasted into the scene and has been revolutionizing it ever since, having won a whopping 29 music awards, including best band and best album. Band's latest album "Bring It On" was released in March 2023, featuring many Estonian and international artists: Canadian folk-pop band The East Pointers, Georgian vocal choir Iberi and Ravid Kahalani from Yemen Blues.

Säde

TradAttack!