At the beginning of last week, we shared a live version of Shannon Frisk Arrivals, Part One of the opening track of TEYR’s new album Estren.
Today, TEYR welcomes you back to the Welsh Chapel for the second half of their pre-album-launch video. The two-part video Shannon Frisk Arrivals and Departures comes from a tune written by James at Shannon Airport. Travelling, existing between places, becoming a ‘foreigner’ are all themes of the new album called Estren – a Cornish word that translates as ‘stranger’.
The Shannon Frisk videos were made way back in 2019 before the studio recording for Estren began. Then the pandemic came and the schedule slipped and slipped. Finally, TEYR’s album is complete and will be hitting the shelves late in April. As the band commented:
“It feels like a world away when we started this project – a world of live music and shared experiences. That’s why pushing on and finishing this album felt like the right thing to do. Put all that energy into something that celebrates movement.”
The opening of this second part has an almost contemplative feel which adds to the journey-like feel of the piece. James Patrick Gavin plays a repeated descending melody on guitar which anchor the tune while accordionist Tommie Black-Roff sets a swaying complimentary-melody before being joined by Dominic Henderson on uilleann pipes. Just under midway through there is a beautiful free-flowing moment between guitar and accordion before launching into a homerun that builds to a great climax. It’s a tantalizing glimpse of what’s sure to be a captivating album.
Also to note: The title track ‘Estren’ is to be released next Friday (5th March) which is Saint Piran’s Day for all you lovers of all things Cornish.
This album features a selection of musicians, hailing from different backgrounds, who have strong ties with TEYR. Within the tracks we see the likes of Abel Selaocoe (Kabantu, Chesaba), Ruth Corey (NYX Electronic Drone Choir), Alastair Caplin (Band of Burns, The Langan Band), Holly Harman (Twisted Twenty, Pennyfiddle Records), BBC R2 Folk Award Nominee Sid Goldsmith (Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith, Awake Arise), Amy Jane Hosken (Rad Orchestra), Tad Sargent (Crossharbour, Matt Tighe & Tad Sargent), Flora Curzon (Fran & Flora, Gaia Duo), Hilary Coleman (Dalla) and Nina Harries (Akram Khan, London Electronic Orchestra).
Estren is out 30th April 2021 on Sleight of Hand Records. To preorder the album head to: https://teyr.co.uk/estren/
Photo Credit: Manka Photography