Elfhame

Drumspyder

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I am happy to present my new 8 track album, “Elfhame” The title is a variant of the old Scots name meaning “elf-home” or “fairyland”, also related to old Norse “Alfheim”, the realm of the elves. On this album I interpret Irish, Scottish and English medieval melodies, weaving them into dancefloor-oriented folktronica with intricate percussion

I am happy to present my new 8 track album, “Elfhame” The title is a variant of the old Scots name meaning “elf-home” or “fairyland”, also related to old Norse “Alfheim”, the realm of the elves. On this album I interpret Irish, Scottish and English medieval melodies, weaving them into dancefloor-oriented folktronica with intricate percussion rhythms and deep bass beats.

A wide range of tempos and rhythmic styles is represented here, from bright and upbeat ecstatic dance to mysterious medieval moods, with one track based on a Gregorian chant (“Of the Mystery Sing”) and another a rendition of the oldest English secular song with surviving notation (“Mirie It Is While Sumer Ilast” , dating back to the 13th century.)

A set of acoustic “unplugged” mixes is included exclusively as bonus tracks with a purchase of the full album on Bandcamp. These versions strip back the beats and electronic elements to reveal more of the underlying melodies, as well as the acoustic framedrum and tamborine parts, which form the rhythmic foundation of all of my music.

I hope you enjoy my latest journey through rhythm, melody, and musical heritage!

1

The Earl's Chair 4:00

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Rose in the Heather 4:47

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Aandowin at the Bow 4:09

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Cutty Wren 3:45

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Of the Mystery Sing 4:08

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A Fig for a Kiss 4:12

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O'Keefe's Slide 4:15

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Mirie It Is While Sumer Ilast 4:00

0:00/4:00

Sunne and Mona

Drumspyder

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“Sunne and Mona” (“Sun and Moon” in Old English) reflects my own cycles of change and evolution over the past year.
Each of the eight tracks is rooted in a traditional melody from the British Isles (Scottish, Irish, and English Renaissance), interpreted through my own drumming (tamborines and framedrums) , whistles, and a selection of other

“Sunne and Mona” (“Sun and Moon” in Old English) reflects my own cycles of change and evolution over the past year.
Each of the eight tracks is rooted in a traditional melody from the British Isles (Scottish, Irish, and English Renaissance), interpreted through my own drumming (tamborines and framedrums) , whistles, and a selection of other melodic instruments. I have set all of them in a dancefloor-ready foundation of tribal beats and deep bass: intended for the ecstatic dance experience, flow-arts performance, or pure pagan revelry!
The cover image is my own work, a 24”x24” acrylic painting representing the cycles of the day, the moon’s phases, and the solar year. It depicts the the sun and moon as they are envisioned in northern mythology - drawn around the sky by horses and pursued by wolves - until the end of the current cosmic cycle.

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Sweven 3:39

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Bobbing Joe 4:00

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The Birds 4:14

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Scots Branle 3:53

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The Braes of Tullymet 3:50

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Tralee Gaol 4:00

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7

Drummond Castle 4:20

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8

Winter Nights 4:07

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Kenning

Drumspyder

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Six new tracks weaving together the strands of tradional melodies, tamborine-driven rhythms, and electronic beats and bass. Some Irish, Scottish and English dance tunes, two very old medieval pieces, and a sailor song combine with beats from slow + deep to pagan-tribal stomp.
The title „Kenning“ is from a constellation of old words and concepts. A

Six new tracks weaving together the strands of tradional melodies, tamborine-driven rhythms, and electronic beats and bass. Some Irish, Scottish and English dance tunes, two very old medieval pieces, and a sailor song combine with beats from slow + deep to pagan-tribal stomp.
The title „Kenning“ is from a constellation of old words and concepts. A „kenning“ (found in old English and Norse poetry) is a compact metaphor, like calling the sea the „whale-road“, which illustrates or brings life to a word. The old English word „Ken“ (to know, understand, take cognizance of) is related to the German „kennen“ (to know) and still appears in some English dialects. Finally the there is the old English rune „Cen“ (pine torch) which burns brightly in the hall. Knowing, illumination, knowledge, fire…

1

The Dunmore Lasses 4:10

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Wind God 4:05

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Lovely Joan 4:20

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Work Songs 4:13

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Ballydesmond Polkas 4:18

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Star on the Mountain 5:08

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Calls from the Wood

Drumspyder

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"Calls from the Wood" is a phrase that came to me with a few different layers of meaning: First there is the call out to the forest, to dance in the wild under the stars. On second thought - many musical instruments are made of wood, including the drums which I play throughout this EP, so the "calls" can be thought of as the voices of these

"Calls from the Wood" is a phrase that came to me with a few different layers of meaning: First there is the call out to the forest, to dance in the wild under the stars. On second thought - many musical instruments are made of wood, including the drums which I play throughout this EP, so the "calls" can be thought of as the voices of these instruments. Then there are the qualities of wood itself as a material: solid, organic, rooted in the earth, taking a long time to grow to maturity. I hope you enjoy my latest foray into traditional melodies and rhythmic explorations!

1

Starlit Stream 4:12

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Our Ain Bonny Laddie 4:00

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Battle of the Boyne 4:27

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Kesh 3:51

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5

Anglia 4:07

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Winding Ways

Drumspyder

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On this EP I explore six melodies from Scotland and England, some dating back to the Renaissance, expanding upon them with framedrum and tamborine rhythms, deep analog bass, and winding melodic solo passages. The music is a chronicle of my latest musical journeys and an offering for dance and celebration.

1

Northumbrian Jig 4:33

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Johnny Cope 4:07

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Loch Leven Castle 4:07

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Captain Campbell 4:12

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Nonesuch 4:09

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Three Ravens 4:15

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Nine Branches

Drumspyder

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The Music : In this album I explore nine melodies of old times and interpret them as a drummer and instrumentalist, offering them to present-day dancers to inspire movement and play. Tunes from Scotland, Ireland, England and medieval Germany ride on the rhythmic energy of frame drums, tamborines, and deep bass. It is my most organic and “earthy”

The Music : In this album I explore nine melodies of old times and interpret them as a drummer and instrumentalist, offering them to present-day dancers to inspire movement and play. Tunes from Scotland, Ireland, England and medieval Germany ride on the rhythmic energy of frame drums, tamborines, and deep bass. It is my most organic and “earthy” music to date, and contains nothing sampled or remixed - all sounds herein are my own work with acoustic and virtual instruments.

The Cover and Title : Inspired by the runes Beorc (Berkano, birch tree) and Ing (Ingwaz, Frey) the cover has nine birch leaves around interlaced branches. In the center is a fusion of the two runes, both symbols of new life, creation, and rebirth. The title comes from the (highly recommended) “Runes” app by Kari Tauring; in describing the birch-tree rune she writes: “If you climb nine branches high, you can talk to the spirits”

May all beings have their renewal and rebirth - blessed be.

1

The Butterfly 4:30

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Source of Spey 4:26

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Pilgrimage 4:54

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John Barleycorn 4:24

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Glenlivet Reel 4:22

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Trinity 4:32

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Juniper 4:48

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The Monaghan 4:38

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Arran Boat Song 4:40

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Crossing

Drumspyder

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1

Oak Tree Hex 4:35

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Cutting Bracken 4:12

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3

Seafarer 4:26

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Greenwood 4:17

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