microphones in the trees: stephen molyneux

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

stephen molyneux



"this world traveler, professional gardener, poet, amateur ethnomusicologist, and No Kings co-founder has, at long last, collected his best song pieces (which move in and out of traditional American folk motifs) into a heart-shaking and catchy album. from murder ballad to chord organ interlude, themes of water and work, these atmospheric one-mic recordings of Stephen’s magnetic voice vibrating the floorboards of his Nashville home overflow with emotion and will have you hitting that rewind button over and over. the best." no kings

sold out ~ see ~ listen/buy


"recorded in 2014 in an old church turned into a studio in Nashville, "The shape of clouds to come" is a mesmerizing Ep full of sad tones announcing the colour of his folk songs. In only five tracks, accompanied by his friends on violin, organ, piano and drum, with his voice like a tightrope walker on a thread, the music of Stephen Molyneux arouses at the same time a deep sadness and a healing hope." la station radar

  Stephen Molyneux: vocals, electric guitar, piano 
Alice Buchanan: violin 
Lee Noble: pump organ, SK-1, piano 

cover photo by Stephen Molyneux, Surat Thani, Thailand, 2009.

buy 12 inch/tape ~ listen/buy

últimamente no dejan de aparecer nuevas y preciosas melodías de folk singers de toda la vida: 'by now' de Little Wings y '(something') de Mount Eerie. pero nadie como Matthew Himes (Shep and Me) y Stephen Molyneux (jardinero profesional, poeta, etnomusicólogo) me devuelven la fe en que todavía se pueden hacer discos cálidos, honestos y emotivos como 'aren't you ashamed?' de Cap'n jack. duendes que parecen venidos de otra época con voces atemporales, melancólicas y un sonido desnudo y acogedor. que saben hablarle al micro, alargar una sílaba, llenar de significado un silencio, susurrar una frase. todo en su sitio. donde toca y cuando toca. de estos dos discos de Stephen Molyneux me quedo con 'called to leave' precisamente por eso. la 'cara b', (seis canciones en trece minutos) es tan perfecta. canciones que hablan de 'fantasmas, minas de oro, personajes de leyenda y viajes infructuosos'. atrás quedan los días de Camboya pero no se echan de menos...porque melodías de la pradera como las de 'the sight' son tan bonitas que no puedo dejar de preguntarme si de verdad nos la merecemos. la magia estará, siempre, en la producción bajo mínimos, en el menos es más: un sólo micro, a veces un órgano y un violín, una guitarra. no puedo evitar pensar que el folk debería ser siempre así.

3 comments:

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Dying For Bad Music said...

2 great releases! love them!

ana said...

yes! marcus, maybe you already know Margret but just in case i think you might like him
https://margret.bandcamp.com/track/thhpt

(great great selection in morning raga Pt. I. love sarah louise :)