I have always been drawn to music that celebrates the mystery and beauty of the non-human world. It's no coincidence that I work as an outdoor educator, introducing children to the wonder to be found in wild landscapes. Music that expresses that wonder, painting sonic pictures of the myriad natural environments to be found on our planet, has my ears for life.
I also find myself drawn to musical longing for simpler times, whether it be through neofolk or black metal (or any other genre, really). I am well aware that these two musical genres also attract people whose idea of simpler times comes with all sorts of racial baggage, which is unfortunate. This just means I need to weed through the music available and discard the sketchy crap.
The idea of returning to some sort of natural state is a compelling one, but I'm realistic enough to know that it would take a catastrophe much greater than the current pandemic to make it possible. Our current population is too large for us all to return to the land.
So, instead, I'll listen to this ideal world in musical form.
As I type, I'm listening to the new Forndom album, which is like a breath of icy winter around the eaves of a snowbound cabin while I'm safe inside, ensconsed in front of a roaring fire It's medieval in its simple intensity, marrying the drama of Dead Can Dance and the icy serenity of Tenhi.
Speaking of Tenhi, they are one of my favorite bands. They bequeath an album to the world every so often, although it seems as of late that the intervals are stretching. The aforementioned icy serenity describes their music aptly, but there is also enough warmth there to keep the frost at bay. It is music to accompany flickering vistas of firelight and auroras.
Where to go from there? Stone Breath take a more rustic, back-woods americana approach to this yearning for the majesty and mystery of nature and the unknown. Banjos figure prominently, and Timothy Renner's art is a wonder in itself. I've bought original art from him on several occasions. There is quite a discography at present, including various related projects and solo outings. Some of it is wyrd folk, some of it is drone, all of it is worth a listen.
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