Somewhere between bedtime story and post-apocalyptic climate fable, Xandor is the new single from experimental folk band Apple of My Eye out on Pear O’Legs Records. With the melting of the Arctic and the disappearance of polar bears, the lyrics call into being a dreamlike new ice age, where the menacing refrain ‘white bears are coming for you, my child’ comes as a strange reassurance. From the tension of the shimmering strings, set against driving harmonica, mandolin and drums, the music evokes glacial landscapes and closes with the creaking and cracking of ice.
Apple of My Eye’s influences are drawn from English folk and storytelling. With intriguing, lyrically rich songs and multi-part vocal harmonies and traditional folk instruments, the band has won widespread acclaim for their imagination and wit.
Staples of the London folk scene and music festivals, Apple of My Eye have released three albums – Devils, Seven Tides and The Beast Below. Their fourth One for Crow is due for release in 2019.
Xandor was sung by lead vocalist Arran Glass with backing vocals from Chris Rusbridge, Kit Massey and Jo Silverston. Instrumental backing was provided by Arran Glass (guitar), Chris Rusbridge (bouzouki), Jo Silverstone (cello), Kit Massey (violin), Dan Rusbridge (violin) and Phil Cornwell (double bass).
They are also joined by Nick Goode (mandolin/violin), Pete Flood (drums) and Gerry Diver (violin) who also produced the single.
Order via Bandcamp: https://appleofmyeye.bandcamp.com/track/xandor
Apple of My Eye have two gigs coming up in Bristol:
Sat 26th Jan – West St Kitchen, with support from The Norfolk Broads
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Sun 10th Feb – Canteen
https://www.appleofmyeyeband.com/
Photo by Joseph Hughes and artwork by Michael Cranston.