Artist
Song
Time
Album
Year
Solstice
0:32
Solstice
Mount Ephraim
5:54
Light Up
2022
Peter Lawson
0:27
Peter Lawson/Venus Loon
Canticum pro mortis
3:19
10 of Swords
2023
Mice On Stilts
0:45
Mice On Stilts
Anxiety Baby
6:04
I Am Proud of You
2023
Exploring Birdsong
0:28
Exploring Birdsong
Bear the Weight
5:00
Dancing in the Face of Danger
2023
compassionizer
0:28
Compassionizer
As Smoke is Driven Away
20:18
As Smoke Is Driven Away (EP)
2023
Lankum
0:47
Lankum
Lord Abore and Mary Flynn
8:36
False Lankum
2023
Deposed King
0:29
Deposed King
Path Of Forlorn
7:39
One Man’s Grief
2023
Not on Bandcamp: Solstice “Light Up” This is an intriguing mix of folk, with neo-prog, art rock, and even some funk thrown in. As suspected by the name, there’s a generous dash of world and Celtic also. Jess Holland’s voice is what cements the whole thing together, in my book, with superb support from bandmates (Andy Glass ) guitars and vocals, (Steven McDaniel ) keyboards, (Robin Phillips) bass,(Peter Hemsley) drums and fiddle and viola (provided by Jenny Newman). I absolutely love the sheer energy and excitement of (5:59) “Mount Ephriam.
10 of Swords
by Peter Lawson/Venus Loon
favorite track
Canticum pro mortis
This time Peter Lawson draws on the Tarot card of 10 of Swords for inspiration. The 10 of Swords typically represents destruction, or an inability to act due to multiple reasons. Not a card of death, but a challenge to overcome. Much of the release reflects this general anxiety and forcefulness, with driving guitars and effected vocals. Space and psych abound.
I Am Proud of You
by Mice on Stilts
favorite track
Anxiety Baby
The introspective lyrics and vocals are an examination of addiction and recovery. The music is mostly acoustic in feeling, with pervasive melancholy throughout. The sliding string arrangements echo the instability of retaining sobriety. Folk is a strong descriptor, but the lush orchestration adds a crossover prog element to the overall sensation of the material. In his world, nothing is going right, but you are left with a sense of hopefulness.
Dancing in the Face Of Danger
by Exploring Birdsong
favorite track
Bear the Weight
A second EP from this trio, who do not feature guitar in their instrumentation. Despite that, it is a very satisfying progressive rock outfit,