Too much life, not enough time!

Well, things seem to be progressing at an extraordinary rate right now and it feels like I have simply too much to do in the time I have. That said, when asked, I also don't have any real plans for the next year so I'm not quite sure how that's working out!

First thing to mention is that I have internet once more. I must admit that I grew to like the freedom that lack of internet gave me as I tended to be a bit of a workaholic as the computer doubles as my office more often than not. That also meant, of course, that I was always talking to friends online which isn't a bad thing. However, the reactions of a couple of these people regarding my absence was interesting and, lets just say, I don't think we'll be talking much any more. It's interesting how some people seem to view it as though it's your duty to speak to them every day and if you can't then it's a personal insult. Anyway, the point is that I am back around and am contactable.

Oh, talking of contacting me and me contacting friends, I have now found a post office within walking distance. Of course, it being a bank holiday I can't actually post the (very late) letters that I have to send but they can get on their way pretty soon.

Another recent development is that I have now booked singing lessons (cringe). I mentioned in a previous post that, despite loving singing, I have quite the little phobia of it so this is a really big thing for me. I've not yet taken the first lesson but will do so quite soon. It's exciting and something I really want to do even if it is going to push me quite a lot as a person. That said, I managed to sing a couple of lines on stage for my exam piece so I am definitely making progress already.

Other than that, life is very much based around working with the house refurbishments, music, and art.

My photos finally came through of the festival so I am a very busy person painting and sticking to fill my 100 page scrap-book. Of course, despite being expensive and time consuming, I feel that this hobby is completely worthwhile!

Over 200 photos, several 'bits' collected from the trip, a lot of paint, and
a daunting amount of work to do.... My idea of fun!

I am also painting a lot and crafting a bit too. Hopefully I'll manage to have a stall at a couple of fairs next year and I'm toying with the idea of an Etsy shop. I'm also doing very limited commission work again which I must admit always scares me because if someone buys something that's finished then they like it. If they buy something that's not real yet and then it's not good enough it would be really embarrassing. Can't say that's ever happened but I'd die if it did! 

So, in short, I'm busy as anything yet am doing nothing at all really!

CD Review - ‘Dies, Nox et Omnia’ by Cesair

Rating: 5/5 stars (and then some!)

Genre: Epic Folk

Review: I’d liked what I’d seen of Cesair, I’d followed the previews of their album with excitement, I saw them at Castlefest and loved what I saw but nothing could have prepared me for actually listening to their album.

It’s rare that you have a CD that is perfect. Even among those favourite CDs there’s always one song that’s just not quite right or there’s some issue with the order of the tracks or the pacing or even the cover. Perfection is an ideal, not a reality, after all. Of course, the exception proves the rule and ‘Dies, Nox et Omnia’ is, dare I say it, the exception.

I cannot find one thing wrong with this album. I can’t even find one bit that doesn’t feel quite right and I’ve thought hard about it because, to write about something and just say “it’s great” isn’t the best way to go about anything.

I think that the greatest strength of this C.D. is the fact that it works as a whole as opposed to a bunch of songs put together onto one disk. Going further than a concept album, it sounds like an opera whereby all the songs base around the same musical themes for unity yet are individual and unique. That said, there are extreme contrasts in sound too from lullaby like tunes to chant like pieces to songs that just make you want to dance. Somehow this album has managed to contain a diverse range of songs yet remain unified. Not only this but there are parts, like the introduction to ‘Bergatrollets Friari’, that might not stand up to criticism if listening to the song on its own but which really add to the atmosphere and the pacing of the C.D. as a whole.

The individual songs are stunning in their own right. It’s very difficult to pick out one or two songs as ‘better’ than the others, and they all have a 5* rating on my iTunes which drives me mad, but I will attempt to discuss a couple that particularly stand out to me as I write. ‘Du Som Har’ has a simplicity to it, musically, yet is hauntingly beautiful. ‘Canso’ the track following it couldn’t be more different really, being a rhythm driven tune, yet it manages to set off the preceding number rather than sound out of place. However, I guess, ‘Atiny Naya’ will forever remain my favourite for so many reasons and, of course, because it was the first song I heard by this band, a purely personal point, and because the variations between the sections in this song are stunning. I’m not even going to try and discuss the power and the beauty of the music as a whole because to do so would rather undermine it. There are seriously some things that shouldn’t be said and should just be left to the music.

It’s also worth commenting upon the album cover itself. For practicality, I tend to download if given a choice as I abuse my C.D.s terribly (I call it love) and also simply don’t have enough room. However, this is one disk that I would urge people to buy physically, although you don’t have a choice right now as I don’t believe Cesair are offering a download. The cover art is stunning, as is the booklet. The text contained within the booklet itself also offers insight into the inspiration for each song even for those of us who might be a bit linguistically challenged!

I guess that’s the beauty of this C.D., not only does it contain beautiful music but no aspect of the experience has been overlooked. I’m sure the musicians themselves have plenty of pernickety annoyances with aspects because the creator always notices these faults but, as a listener, it seems that everything is (dare I say it?) perfect.

To listen to samples of music from the album, and also to buy it click here.

Introducing Nené

I've not written about this one in the blog so far because we've not seen each other in far too long. That doesn't mean that she doesn't deserve her own post, or that she's not a special munchkin so here we go.

Meet Helena, or, as I like to call her Nené.

It looks sweet but I think I was attacking her at the time!

Nené and I met though the wondrous musical that is Elisabeth. I believe she started my (rather undeserved!) fanclub after emailing me on DeviantArt asking if I was that Havanah. We met in person a short while after when her mother employed me as a birthday present. I think that was a special day for the two of us.

Helena was one of the first people who I met because we had things in common and we became fast friends because of those similarities as opposed to becoming friends because we had no other choice. This was exceptionally special for me. I don't know how long it is since we met, although I'm sure she'll remind me when she reads this, but our friendship has gone from strength to strength. She also has introduced me to a group of people Aleks, 'Tascha and Nicky, who are also good friends of mine, but that's a completely different story!

She is one of the few people I can rant at for as long as I want about the things that interest me and, more often than not, she shares these interests. Even if not, she has time to listen and she cares what I have to say. Not only this, but she cares about everyone around her. I have never known anyone be so kind and give so much of her time to her friends. She is a good person. She puts everyone ahead of herself and, while this causes me no end of worry on her behalf, this selflessness makes her stand out as special.

She doesn't just listen to me ramble on but actively
encourages it by leaving screenshots like this on my facebook!

Did I mention that she's also a little bit bonkers? She wrote a poem, to be performed to the tune of a song from Cats, detailing all my nicknames and I'm determined to get it recorded on video one of these days. Actually, she's also responsible for most of my nicknames... and that list seems to be growing by the day! Seriously, Alpha, Mutti, Hamster-Queen, they are all names for me courtesy of Nené! The worrying thing is that I answer to them all!

Every time that we have met chaos has ensued. From her attempting to stalk me at a showing of Spamalot, only to find out that I had been at the matinee, to getting caught up in the gay pride parade, I know that every meeting I have with this girl will be fun, crazy, and worth it. 

Helena is most certainly one of the most special friends I have. She is someone who I can contact for a laugh or for a serious chat. She's there for you whenever you need her yet is able to have immense fun too. She's the definition of a good friend by her very nature and an exceptionally special girl.

Connor, me, and Nené standing on a tall bit of ruin, trying not to fall off!

Getting back into music

Music has always been a passion of mine. I grew up with a mixture of country music, Elvis Presley, opera, and Native American chants. In all honesty, the latter was my favourite by far. I adored singing and would sing all over the place. Have you ever heard a six year old performing a rendition of the Flower Duet, solo? I can't imagine it was enjoyable to listen to!

However, things started to change a bit when I went to a certain prestigious girls school in the Midlands. I auditioned for the choir a couple of times and eventually gave in when told that my voice was "flat" and "hideous". With the benefit of hindsight, I was a nine year old with no vocal training who was simply enjoying singing along competing against other little girls who had been classically trained since they could speak. It was a snobby world. However, it was at this time that I decided not to sing in front of anyone again. Eventually I discovered that I was afraid of singing in front of anyone but this didn't develop until a few years on and quite by accident.

This same school did introduce me to a different side of music, however, and for this I am grateful. In our music classes we all tried basically every orchestral instrument, and a fair few beside. It was here that I met the 'cello and felt instantly in love. It wasn't until I moved to secondary school that I took 'cello lessons and I am not ashamed to tell you that I spent a fair bit of my first lesson crying because I was finally playing the instrument. I was given a 'cello for Christmas when I was twelve and so started the tradition...

You see, the problem was, my appetite had been whetted and I wasn't going to settle for 'just' 'cello. The next Christmas I got my bass guitar which I taught myself to play and played with a couple of bands for a while. The Christmas after was my keyboard which I taught myself to grade three standard and then had to put away because there simply wasn't room for her in the house. Flash forward to the present and I am the proud owner of several guitars, a bass guitar, a tin whistle, recorders, a keyboard and a 'cello and am coveting a fair few other instruments that are way out of my price range (Hello nyckleharpa and hurdy-gurdy)

A poor quality webcam photo I took of my bass when
I first got her. My pride hasn't faded!

However, my love for playing music dropped quite sharply with the study of music as a secondary school qualification. I guess I didn't get it. If I was going to listen to a tune then I wanted to think about what it made me feel, what the message was not how many violins were playing and where the accidental was in the fifth bar. I didn't see the point. I also wasn't that competent in comparison to my peers who had been learning since they were much younger than I and the teacher made it clear that he thought that was bad at the subject. Suddenly I was comparatively bad at something that I loved and history repeated itself. I stopped playing 'cello and keyboard publicly and actually rejected a couple of offers to join orchestras.

So, I'm guessing that right now I sound like a bit of a silly person. A bit of rejection and I allow it to affect me to such a degree. Well, yes. I agree to a degree. The thing is, I never stopped doing the things I loved I just didn't let anyone hear me doing it. I stopped taking instrumental lessons (except for 'cello which I carried on until I moved away from my teacher) but I carried on playing. I never even stopped singing.

About six months ago, and two years after my last music lesson, I felt ready to get into music properly again. I felt ready to actually learn again because I had rediscovered what music was for me. Music is beauty. Music is emotion. Theory is the stepping stones to get to the magic. You can play every note perfectly and without the feeling you not played music... you've made some sequential noises.

During my gap year I am going to play music as often as I can and I am also going to take singing lessons. I want to have the technique to back up my enjoyment. I am never going to be the best musician in the world. I am never going to have the best voice in the world. I am going to love every second.

And who knows? My art teacher told me not to take the subject to GCSE level because my technique was so bad yet I won an international UNESCO art competition. Lets see where music will lead me?

The Day

This introduction is written when I know my grades and on results day, the rest, as you will see, was written some time in advance. This was written as a bit of a self righteous rant. I saw my friends consumed with worry and I am talking about friends who were likely to achieve and those less likely to do so, and I saw friends pushing themselves beyond where they should have pushed themselves and beyond the point of happiness. As it was, I stayed really relaxed about results, even when getting them, even if I was totally unsure about what my grades were. It's unusual for me not to get nervous about these things but I think that, as a person, I am probably in a better place than I have been in previous years and am certainly happier for it.

Now I will catapult you back to the past....

______________________________________________________________________

By the time this posts I will know what my A level results are, I will know if I have got into university, I will know the basic path of the next six years of my life. No pressure then. As I write this I know none of that.

I wrote this blog post back in July because I don't like telling people, generally, my results and if I was to write this when I myself knew the tone of my writing would give it away, no doubt. If you're a friend of mine then you're more than welcome to ask me about my results... I'll possibly tell you!

Results have been playing on my mind a bit. I'm quite good at focusing myself so I've managed to put them out of my conscious thought but not completely out of mind. I guess their too important for that. I had a horrific dream in which I got my results early only to find out that I got an 'S' grade in Classics history and 'G's in everything else. I was franticly doing the maths to see if that was good enough to get me into my university of choice when I woke up. I'm going to guess it wouldn't have been!

Everyone thinks that I float through exams, grades throw themselves at me, insert similar statements here. If one more person tells me that I shouldn't worry about exams because they're easy for me and of course I'll do well I think I'm going to scream! There seems to be this idea that if you have consistently performed well you do so because you're abnormally clever and you therefore have no right to be concerned about the results at all. Everyone who wants to get somewhere in the education world is going to be concerned about their results as they are the most obvious stepping stone to the next stages. Of course they are not the only way but at this point they seem to be the be all and end all.

In all honesty, I get good grades (usually) because I work really, really hard. I started consistent revision for the summer exams in December. I do every bit of work set and catch up on work that I miss. If I didn't do this then I wouldn't get the grades I do. I can do all this and still do badly. I'm human. However, isn't it worse for me to fail, having got good grades previously, everyone saying that it's easy for me, having done all this work than for someone who does a day of revision and then moans about always doing badly?

That said, I know a couple of people who work harder than I do, who are truly inspirational in the amount of dedication they show who simply fluke their exams. I know people who get better grades than me, for sure, and who work hard to get them too. The pressure is there for everyone.... it's important to us all.

The point of this being... if someone did their best then don't undermine that. If they get good grades then don't congratulate them in a way that says that they just did it naturally and if they get 'bad' grades then remember that, through working, their grades are worth just as much in 'real life' as a good grade. If you did your best then you have passed with flying colours. I would rather get an 'E' and have worked hard to get it than get an 'A*' on a fluke....

A*s would be nice though....

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning

If you’ve been reading my twitter recently then you’re probably fed up of hearing about cleaning. You probably don’t want to read this blog either!

For those of you who haven’t been reading my regular postings of under 140 characters (and who could blame you?) then I will explain a little. In short, my life has been taken over by cleaning. Any fantasies of spending my gap year relaxing, painting and playing music went out the window when I came back to the house in Birmingham to find out that, not only has my father not refurbished the house as he was supposed to (*), but it seems he hasn’t cleaned the livable areas in the six months he’s been here either. It might be a bit of an exaggeration… but not much! He’s also managed to break my cello so any ideas of playing that regularly have been shelved. On the bright side, I managed to repair most of the damage myself although the bridge will have to be replaced when I have some money spare.

However, rant above aside, I am quite settling into this house. I think it’s because I am having to spend all my time cleaning and cooking etc. that I haven’t had time to feel sorry for myself. The loneliness hasn’t set in yet and I don’t plan to let it do so.

I’m also really looking forward to starting the ‘real’ work. I’m probably going to start decorating my bedroom first because it’s the room with least structural work needed and, all things being equal, I hope to do that the week of the 19^th. We should also get internet back at the end of that week so with all that, and results day (or The Day, as I’ve been calling it) I can see normality returning. It’s a good feeling.

I’ve also been listening to the CDs I bought from Castlefest, a lot. Not only have I really been enjoying them but I’ve also got an idea for a large painting from one of the songs. We’ll see what happens but hopefully I’ll get to have a go at that sooner rather than later. For those of you who are interested, I am looking at uploading my photos, and Castlefest review blog, on Wednesday 14^th when I should be in a hotel and therefore have internet. Don’t quote me on that one though.

(*) in six months he has done four rows of tiles. Can’t say I’m that impressed. They’re not even small tiles. 

Castlefest round up, 'new' house, and lack of internet

Tuesday, I returned from Castlefest to a house that is not suitable for human habitation. You’ll excuse me if I’m a little down about that. However, being someone who is generally optimistic, after an initial cry, I am looking forward to the future and am confident that I will get it sorted and will manage to regain some kind of normal life. While we’re on that note, I currently have no internet at home and therefore will only be able to access ‘things’ on my mobile or if I go to an internet café. Incidentally, I also have no mobile phone pick up at home.

I do plan on tweeting as often as normal as this is done from my phone, and will use internet tethering to blog. Sky will be round on the 23rd to set us up for real internet and, until then, my internet presence will probably be limited to twitter, blogging, and maybe facebook messaging.

Anyway, back to the interesting bit, Castlefest. What a wonderful, wonderful time I have had at this festival. Wild horses will not be able to stop me from returning next year. There were some wonderful bands and some wonderful people. I’ll probably do some proper write-up of the individual things once I have facility to upload photos and not just test but until then special thanks go to:

Cesair for putting on some of the most singularly amazing shows I have seen. You should also buy their new CD because it is beautiful in sound and in appearance.

Faun for making my dream of seeing you live come true and for being as awesome as I had hoped.

Folk Noir (and Matt Howden) for putting on a wonderful performance, and for being utterly lovely people, chatting with me for quite a while after the show.

Zirp for getting everyone dancing!

The people who attended for dressing up, being friendly, and generally making the whole thing atmospheric.

The volunteers. In particular those on traffic control at the campsite who spent each night with my mother and I while we waited for her taxi. Their kindness, good conversation, hugs, and pine mead was greatly appreciated.

On my way home again...

So, I'm guessing, that right now I am rather melancholy. I hate coming home after being away. I guess I am meant to be a traveller.

However, if you read my review of "Vox" then you will know that I have a thing for boats. I adore ships so much because a lot of my childhood dreams focused around, admittedly flying, ships. You can imagine that there is one bit of the trip, therefore, that I adore. Yes, a ferry is a bit tame (although my mother still gets sea sick), but I can still stand on the deck and watch the ocean go past even if I can't feel the rocking. It's pure magic... until I get earache.

The last time I went on a ferry was a few years back, 2009ish, on a school trip to France and Belgium for history. Aimee and I went on deck and had a great fun time. It was a great trip and Aimee's first time abroad. Reliving this is going to be extra special for me.

Something else that will make this trip extra special is that it is my first night-time ferry ride. I don't like night travel normally because everyone sleeps and I feel awkward and unable to read or chat or draw or the normal things I like to do. However, I can't wait to see the lights in the sea, watch the stars go by.

Knowing my luck it'll be raining.

On board "The Pride of Burgundy".
Aimee is far right, Muggins is behind the camera as usual.

Omnia

Omnia is a band that I have some problems with. In some ways I love them and then in some ways they make me a bit annoyed. That’s not their problem and, in a sense, I think it’s probably what they aim at with their music in so much as they want a response.

 I’ll get my negatives out of the way now so that I can focus on the (great) positives for the rest of the post.  I disagree with some of the views they hold and some of the ways they put them across. This isn’t the end of the world because we’re all entitled to our own views and it’s not the end of the world.

So, lets move on to their praises now, right?

By the time you are reading this I should have seen the band once already but this is their show on the main stage so this is why their little promo comes now.

Omnia’s music is something quite special. Although it’s not really possible to put them into a genre as they play such a wide range of stuff their music is always incredibly powerful and engaging. It calls to some innate spirit within and that’s something very special. This song, is one of my favourites for doing this. It’s magical.

Something else that’s worth a mention with Omnia is the way in which they say what they think and that they have opinions that they are not afraid to express. Yes, I know that this is exactly what I moaned about above but I think that if anyone puts forward strong opinions then there are going to be clashes with others. This song is one that I am conflicted about. I am not comfortable with the “Pope of Paganism” declaration, although within the context it makes sense and works. I don’t do drugs and don’t find myself a worse person for it. I also quite like the monarchy, live with it. All the same I like a lot of the views put across and I like the fact they have views.

One thing that I really love about Omnia is that I don’t think they are manufactured. They certainly make a big deal about this. Who can say if they are or not, but all I know is that when little songs like this come out then it makes me feel that they are certainly living the life they preach. Even if I might have my differences with their opinions I cannot help but admire them for being the way they are.

If you like Omnia then you can visit their website by clicking here. You can also read their, more or less, daily blogs on their facebook, which is where I nabbed the photo above from too.

Zirp

Even if I didn't like Zirp, with a name like this I would have to write about them. They are a four piece which gives hurdy-gurdy quite a prominent role (hurrah!). Actually, Stephan Groth of Faun and Folk Noir is their hurdy-gurdy player... he's going to be knackered by the time he gets to this set!

On their website they say that they "combine folk, rock, and pop with traditional dance music" and then say that their music (presumably!) is "extremely varied, harmonious and absolutely intoxicating". That about sums up what makes their music enjoyable. Their sound is unusual yet reminiscent of 'normal' folk music which means that it retains the power of that music.

I am only going to post one video here as I can't find any of very high quality. However, if you go onto their website (in German only), go over to the far right then there is a music player underneath the album cover with a grasshopper. 

Zirp also have a facebook page which is where the lovely picture above is from. It's also basically in German. If anyone wants/needs and translations of their websites etc then comment here or contact me elsewhere and I'll do it.

Folk Noir and Sieben

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Folk Noir is a project of Oliver S. Tyr of Faun (remember that band from Friday?) and Kaat Geevers from L.E.A.F, who are also fantastic but not playing Castlefest (boo!). They are joined by Stephan Groth, who is also in Faun now, and by Alex Schulz and play a kind of thoughtful, nostalgic folk music. Oh, did I mention that they sing in English too? 

I've not managed to get hold of their CD yet, which is rather annoying, so I'm relying on youtube. I detest buying CDs from abroad because of bank charges and shipping but I might have to cave on this one if I can't find any other way of buying it.

Anyway, they have a relatively new music video. This is not my favourite song that I have heard them play yet I could rant on about how much I enjoy it for quite some time. I think that says something! What makes me like this one? Other than the fact it has really romantic lyrics which would sell anything to me, the train sound rhythm is something that really stands out. It's unusual and really quite a fun idea without detracting from the song itself. The simplicity of the video itself is exceptionally effective too.

I'll only put one other video from Folk Noir before moving onto Sieben. This one is probably my favourite recordings of theirs. The way in which Kaat and Oliver's voices harmonise and interact is stunning and rather haunting. The song starts about twenty seconds in and is truly... well.... wow.

Folk Noir are playing with Sieben as they have before. I can't say that I know Sieben but from some googling it seems that he is a gentleman by the name of Matt Howden who plays violin, sings and does some clever technical stuff. According to the ever reliable (yes, sarcasm) Wikipedia, he is also British and from Sheffield which is where my father's side is from. Ooh, maybe I should look into him a bit more hehe.

From what I have heard of his solo work, I like the music but really don't know what to categorise it as in my head. It's enjoyable but in a strange way. I can't help but appreciate the use of the violin too, as a string player myself. There's some talented, technical, but unusual playing going on.

This music video is from 2010, so it's a bit older than those by Folk Noir above. By the way, if you're a Doctor Who fan you might not want to watch this clip... too many statues... you have been warned!

If you're interested in Folk Noir then you can visit their website, facebook (which is where I kidnapped the picture from), or youtube. I've only found Sieben's website so far but oh well!

Cesair

Cesair are playing a couple of times at Castlefest, hurrah!

Cesair is a bit like Rastaban for me in so much as I have not had great experience with them and yet I have fallen quite completely in love with what I have heard. Youtube is an exceptional aide to me sometimes!

This Castlefest is going to be a significant one for Cesair for a couple of reasons. Firstly, their CD is on sale as of the 2nd of August. This promises to be a truly wonderful CD and will, apparently, be on sale at the festival so I know what I'm going to be coming back with. Cesair have been releasing teasers for the CD on their facebook and on their website. I am excited.

They are also going to be playing a set with an orchestra and choir; this is the set that should be occuring when this post finds its way online. This is also really, really exciting for me, and, from what I have gathered, for them too. It's rather a one-off event and one that I am exceptionally pleased that I have the chance to experience.

So, now to the important bit.

The above is my personal favourite recording of theirs. I feel that it shows off their exceptional musical skill as well as their on stage energy which looks to be something quite special. Cannot wait to see them live. This was also the video that I showed to Aimee when going through a bit of a 'band introduction session' and we both came to the conclusion that if you're not won over by the first thirty seconds you're musically emotionless (and that it just keeps getting better from then on!)

I could find a lot of other recordings featuring the band but this is one that is on their website (so it counts, okay!) of their violin player, Sophie. Now, as a string person myself I'm always going to have a soft spot for fellow string players, especially when their playing is of this quality, but it would be plain criminal if I didn't feature her when she also plays 'cello.

Cesair's website can be found here, if you'd like to find out more (the picture above came from there). I would also recommend having a look at their facebook which is updated regularly

Faun

The main attraction of today has got to be the band Faun.

I don’t really know where to start with Faun. I don’t know when I discovered their music or how but I do know that the instant I heard them I fell in love and I own most of their CDs. They were the band that opened up the door of this whole genre, the band that first made me want to go to this festival. Be warned, you will get a video spam here but it will be well worth the time to listen.

Firstly I should give a short bio of the band... Faun was founded in 2002 and has been going strong since even though it’s had a fair few line-up changes. They play beautiful acoustic music as well as some more technical influenced tunes. I don’t know what it is that makes Faun extra special. Their vocals are stunning, calming, inspiring, and powerful. The percussion is quite simply amazing. The other instruments, which I can’t list because there are so many different ones, are so exciting even if I get really annoyed working out all the instruments present in each song or tune! Certainly, I have never found anyone to replace or better the band Faun, in this genre, and they are one of my favourite bands cross genre.

Anyway, onto the music!

I genuinely don’t know what to show you so I guess I’ll start with their new-ish music video for their album “Von den Elben” (Of the Elves). Although this album is a bit of a different sound to their previous projects, it’s still amazing. The song is called “This Cold Night” and is the story of a man who travels to his beloved’s house and she won’t let him in. Eventually, because of how cold it is she opens up and they spend the night together and everyone’s happy. The lyrics make the story a lot more beautiful!

This next song is called Isis and, again, has really poetic lyrics. It’s also a special song for me as it holds a few special memories. It was the first song I learned to play on the guitar about two years ago and it’s also the tune that I played (intentionally badly) during my examined play. My playing transitioned into a section of this song and just hearing this melody, and Oliver’s voice was enough to calm me down… for about a minute!

However, I don’t think I should just go on about Oliver’s voice because, lovely as it is, to overlook the women of the group would be a sin! The female vocals are always exceptionally strong as shown in this song, “Loibere Risen” which is one of my favourites and can be found on their album Renaissance.

And this video is the first one I saw by Faun and, as it was uploaded in 2007, that suggests I discovered them at around that time. I’d been looking for something like this in music for a long time, something otherworldly and magical, and listening to this I knew that I had found it.

If you like what you've heard then you can visit Faun by clicking here (available in English and German). If you didn't then you're crazy.

The photo at the top was commandeered from Faun's facebook page.

Rastaban

Today is the first day of Castlefest proper and, each day of the festival, a few posts should appear with a short bit about bands that I am seeing and how I first got into their music etc. I’m attempting to merge these posts with the times that I’m seeing the group (if I’m seeing them more than once then I’ll just choose one time) and, well, we’ll see how it goes.

Rastaban

This is going to be a short post considering I plan on seeing this group each time they play. I really don’t know what to say about their music. I stumbled across them. I haven’t forged great memories with them but I adore them.

I can’t describe their music. It’s special. Words cannot do it justice so I won’t try. Just listen.

"RASTABAN invites you to dance, to share emotions and to create a place in your every day routine to celebrate Life through the sound of their moving and energetic music."

-from Rastaban's website. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Castlefest Opening Concert (preview)

 As with all recent posts, I wrote this a few days ago with scheduling to post today.

So today is the opening concert of Castlefest. All things being well I will have set up my tent and will be listening to some amazing music from Pater Moeskroen, Rapalje, and Scrum as we speak!

Pater Moeskroen

This song translates to "Whiskey is the Devil". Doesn't stop them from drinking it though!

Pater Moeskroen produces some darn good fun music, which is thoroughly enjoyable.

The band themselves are a six piece who have, according to their website, and my Dutch, eighteen albums and five DVDs to their name so far. Although I haven’t followed this group I have listened to their videos on youtube and am very excited to see them live.

Rapalje

They look like they’re enjoying this so much that it’s contagious!

Now this is a band that I have listened to a fair bit, and own a few CDs by. The first time I saw a video of them performing live, with Aimee, we spent a fair time deciding if they were actually drunk up simply pretending. We weren’t convinced that anyone could play that well drunk…. Or sober. In short, we were impressed.

This is the band I’m most excited to see tonight!

The original video that Aimee and I watched some time ago.

Scrum

Well, I couldn’t leave the alcohol theme just yet could I?

Scrum are another fast paced, enjoyable band. It seems that this evening has been constructed to get people ready for the weekend! Mind you, with them playing at quarter to eleven, p.m., I wonder how anyone will get any sleep.

I’m pleased that they’re playing actually because they are a band that sings in English. By this time of night my Dutch understanding will be dead so it’s nice to have an 'easy' language to wind up with!

With this theme in all the music it will be a miracle if anyone 

wakes up without a hangover tomorrow!