What I'm Listening To: Prog & Nordic Wonders
Gems of sonic bliss from Poland, Scandinavia, Peter Gabriel, and the Cheese Forest.
Avast! A music post is long overdue, so here’s a plethora of sonic wonder that hath been tickling me eardrums as of late.
First of all, Peter Freakin’ Gabriel is releasing new music!!!!!!! New album and tour is forthcoming. This is the definition of joy and happiness, as his music has meant a lot to me since I was 11-years-old.
Two singles have been released so far, and I like this one the most.
RIVERSIDE - ID.ENTITY
Further on the prog rock front, Riverside from Poland dropped their new album in January, and it’s incredible. A fantastic merging of their heavy riffs and socially conscious lyrics with loads of synth.
This is one of my favorite bands I’ve latched on to in recent years, and their lead singer/songwriter Mariusz Duda is nothing short of a musical genius, fronting another ensemble called Lunatic Soul and his own solo records.
KALANDRA - Kingdom Two Crowns: Norse Lands Soundtrack
Liverpool-based Nordic folk band Kalandra has created a transcendent soundtrack for a video game I know nothing about, but the music is wonderful.
AURORA - Sky: Concert in the Light
Also in wondrous mash-ups of music and video game culture, Norwegian pop princess Aurora has an album of hits from previous albums which were performed in an immersive virtual concert of some sort. I don’t understand how this works, but I love it.
SKÁLD - Hudufolk
Another excellent album has dropped from French Nordic folk band Skáld, which includes covers of songs by Rammstein and The Cure.
The opening track’s title translates to “They call me a Troll,” so naturally I’m in love with this.
GNOMES OF THE CHEESE FOREST
But friends, as wonderful as all of this music is, none of it means as much to me as this wondrous gift from my friend Dave Robinson (he’s my brother-in-law’s brother-in-law, which is pretty funny). I’ve known Dave for over two decades now, always in awe of his music and his beautiful voice. Most recently he has been working on taking various poems from my book Gnomes of the Cheese Forest and turning them into songs. The results are blowing me away, and I’ve been known to shed a tear or two listening to them.
The first single dropped today, so while we’re on the topic of Norwegian forest enchantment, listen in close…
This single can be found on Apple Music already and soon to be flinging its tendrils to other music streaming platforms….and there will be more songs to come!