Remorae are a collective of folk and electronic musicians who began life as an experimental recording residency project, Folkatron Sessions. Under their previous guise, they released three records: Mais C’est Quoi Maman? (2017), Skiver (2020), Home No More (2021)–including a collaboration with Mercury Prize-nominated British folk singer Sam Lee.
This is experimental folk at its best
Richard Hollingham, KLOF Mag
In this new stage of their evolution, Remorae’s sound is born from what is created live, a development supported through residencies at Britten Pears Arts (2022) and Glasshouse International Centre for Music (2023). Their new EP, Flourish in Green (2024), is a collection of songs where time and relationships are shaped, warped and sometimes overcome by the sea, using live effects and improvisation to find reflections and resonances in old songs.
Tomorrow sees the release of their lead single, Johnny’s on the Water, a song learned from the singing of Appalachian folk singer Jean Ritchie (1922 – 2015). Unusually for us, we were first drawn to the lyrics. It twists the archetypal story of a woman left behind by a sailor, the singer rejecting grief and finding empowerment: ‘If he can live without me, I can live without him’. This line became the heart of our arrangement.
We created this arrangement in residence at Snape Maltings in 2022. In slowing down the tempo, destabilising the rhythm, and replacing Ritchie’s sparse dulcimer accompaniment with an ensemble of modular synths, guitars and affected strings, we explore the way that the open sea warps our understanding of time and distance. The trumpet solo was played by Lissie Daly, a tireless campaigner for women in brass.
With their quirky electronics, swaying strings, and brass embellishments, Remorae’s arrangements really do shine. Add their ethereal harmonies and a repeated vocal refrain that wouldn’t be out of place in Paul Giovanni’s Wicker Man soundtrack, and you have a winner. Johnny’s On The Water is very welcome from a group of musicians whose modern interpretations breathe new life into the past.
Johnny’s on the Water is also our Song of the Day. The single will be available on streaming services from tomorrow (20th March).
Remorae will open for Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell in Oxford on 19th April, 2024. They also have a trio of gigs planned for their EP Launch, see below.
Remorae EP Launch Shows
6 Apr – ‘In The Bellows’, Sandfields Pumping Station, Lichfield, Tickets
9 Apr – Tap Social, Oxford, Tickets, Tickets
10 Apr – The Grace, London, Tickets
Johnny’s On The Water featured:
Lauren Spiceley – fiddle and vocals
Martha Wiltshire – cello and vocals
Joe Woods – guitar and vocals
Denis Wouters – electronics and vocals
Lissie Daly – trumpet
Tom O’Connor – fretless bass
Florence Brady – vocals
More here: https://remorae.co.uk/