Seamus Cater & Viljam Nybacka are a new addition to our playlist and are unlike any other artists we have come across. Seamus comes from a family of English folk singers but in terms of his own music he brings a very contemporary perspective to these influences. Rather than attempt to recreate music from the past he uses folk music and improvised structures to create a fascinating minimalist and immersive sound that is both captivating and beautiful. He studied music and performance at Dartington College of Arts and The University of Salford where he specialised in harmonica and composition.
Their latest album ‘The Anecdotes’ continues Seamus’s series of performances that started at DNK Amsterdam and go under the moniker of Anecdotal Music. These compositions “are open in terms of form, expressing some kind of story or history using text and music.” Previous work in this series included ‘The Folk Music, the Whale and the Sea’, loosely connected fiction and history of the 18th century whaling trade, using folk and improvised music structures in a trio with Viljam Nybacka (N-Collective) and Fritz Welch.
This latest collaboration presents a series of biographical song portraits of artists. A diverse collection of 19th and 20th century figures are portrayed, including Bas Jan Ader, Eadweard Muybridge, Alexis Lapointe, Ewan MacColl, L.S. Lowry and Sergei Prokofiev. It was recorded by Shahzad Ismaily (Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy / Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band / Sam Amidon collaborator), who plays bass on three songs, the album was mastered by Jeff Carey and features Eiríkur Orri Ólafsson (múm) on trumpet and horn. Selected tracks from the album will feature in our playlist from next week.
Viljam Nybacka
Born in a small town in Finland and brought up in a vibrant atmosphere of many musical influences, Viljam Nybacka’s musical development progressed through classical and electric guitar. He moved to Amsterdam to study electric bass and soon became a member of the highly esteemed N-Collective. From Amsterdam, he toured extensively as the bassist of Brown vs Brown, a freejazz/mathrock outfit that released two albums, the latter on the American label Cuneiform.
He started playing drums especially for this project, at once demonstrating a deep musical affinity for anything he touches, exploring unique drumming approaches within his multi-instrumental practice. Nybacka also works as guitarist and singer in the band Jæ (Hubro Records).
Tracks
Earlier Work
While Sails Billow by Uncle Woody Sullender and Seamus Cater
Video
Seamus Cater, Viljam Nybacka and Fritz Welch at DNK Amsterdam
Escaping Grey is a choreography by Giulia Mureddu featuring music from Seamus Cater and Woody Sullender
Seamus Cater & Viljam Nybacka play at the Old Queens Head, Islington (Nest Collective) on 25th July as well as the Den Stage at this years Cambridge Folk Festival on 27th July.
The Anecdotes is available on Bandcamp here.
