Taken from their exhilarating second album Odyssey, watch the accompanying video to Open Seas from the international folk sensation Fourth Moon.
Set for release on Friday 26 November, the album explores the experiences of a quartet of musical migrants, each excelling in a culture of traditional music not native to their homeland.
Fourth Moon features Austrian Géza Frank (flute and whistles), Italian David Lombardi (fiddle) and Jean Damei from France (guitar). They have all established themselves as top instrumentalists in Irish and Scottish music. Bringing a Scottish element to proceedings is Andrew Waite, who has earned a following as one of the world’s leading piano accordion players, combining Scottish traditional music, classical and jazz.
Open Seas is an elegant, fleet-footed set that showcases not just their top-class musicianship but also the inventive spirit of the band. It opens to Jean Damei’s guitar on a tune he wrote (Downstairs Neighbours). Mid-way through Geza Frank’s flute offers an ascending stream of notes over Waite’s accordion on ‘A Night in Koh Rong’, a David Lombardi tune before they take off at a sprint for the home run on another Lombardi tune ‘The Clairvoyant’ on which he puts his fiddle through its paces with Waite’s accordion and Damei’s guitar keeping pace. It’s a refreshing set that is sure to go down a treat in a live setting from these very accomplished players.
Presenting an augmented lineup since their debut album Ellipsis was released in 2018, the group wants to use their latest production to introduce a fresh, emotional and virtuosic sound to fans.
Continuing to push the boundaries of traditional music, Fourth Moon have collaborated with Scottish singer and step dancer Ainsley Hamill integrating her voice as a fifth instrument with which to showcase their signature style.
Inspired by the forced separation of the past year, the group wants Odyssey to be a stance on perseverance in the music and arts industry, as well as a symbol of unity that joins cultures and breaks down borders.
Fourth Moon flautist Géza Frank said: “This album was born out of the growing wish to create a new sound that more accurately reflects the band we have become over the past few years. However, almost two years of alternating lockdowns and restrictions on travel in our respective countries, and a difficult period for the arts in general, have made the creation of this album a real ‘Odyssey’. We had to postpone many rehearsals and recordings but we are really happy with, and proud of, the final result.”
Supported by Creative Scotland, Fourth Moon’s new album was recorded at GloWorm Studios in Glasgow, mixed and mastered by Andrea Gobbi and features guest musician and drummer Michael Shimmin of The Olllam and Millish fame.
More details here: https://www.fourthmoonmusic.com/
Pre-Order the album via Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fourthmoon-album-two/fourth-moon-album-2