North Sea Radio Orchestra - NSRO - chamber kraut folk - see also Shrubbies

New album Dronne out today - am listening now and it's lovely - no different from their first three albums, then. The s/t debut and I A Moon are two of the best records since 2000, for mine. They've not had a thread yet for some reason - talk mostly confined to the Cardiacsy thread - but they've long fledged that nest. Oh, and the album they made when they were still a rock band, Shrubbies? That's amazing too - a proper lost 90's gem, all skywinding melodies and belting wig-outs.

If you've any interest in ornate melodic music then tune in...

I want to go on a long rambling holiday. This has to be album of the year. NSRO are almost too much for the heart to bear.

Listening for the first time, this is really lush, ty for the heads op lj.

If you're not familiar with The Halifax Pier, this sounds in their vein, they made two absolutely wonderful records. Seek out 'Put Your Gloves On And Wave'.

(though Halifax Pier isn't as 'magical' melody-wise, nor krauty)

Listenign to this further and already hearing Tortoise, Broadcast, Ghost Box stuff in Dronne as well. I'm officially on board!

Oh, will def check out The Halifax Pier then! :) Glad to have you aboard!

For the rest of you, here's the (IMO) standout track from the new NSRO, and surely one of the best songs of the (last five) year(s):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=771mc4eFiaQ

Craig's records as Arch Garrison are worth your attention also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqSgQDjvuFI

Arch Garrison is lovely indeed.

Also, for London-based people, NSRO are playing a little free gig at The Union Chapel one afternoon in November.

Interview with Stuart Maconie a couple of weeks back(with a slightly terrifying accompanying photo).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p045yhd6

Craig is such a ridiculously modest and self-effacing chap. I do sometimes want to shake him while shouting "MATE, YOU'RE ACTUALLY QUITE GOOD YOU KNOW!"

But obviously I would never do that, probably.

this is pretty awesome, feels like a Bach/"early music" version of Penguin Cafe Orchestra kinda

so yeah, Arch Garrison really is quite something, have been playing their music non-stop these last two days. on holiday of course

Have you heard this LJ?

https://jlarcombe.bandcamp.com/

wow! will definitely check that out now thanks!

also, SO hyped for the other Larcombe's Lost Crowns project

mmm this is very lovely and mysterious

wow 'a suit of tatters'!

At this point I can't wait for the 2010-2019 trax poll so I can put The Oldest Road at #1 tbh

d'you mean The British Road?

Is that a Robert Wyatt cover?

The English Road and The Oldest Road are different songs! The former is NSRO covering Wyatt, the latter is Arch Garrison (two of NSRO) making an original song and basically killing me in the process

Ahhh.

It's linked upthread. For some reason I didn't hear it at the time

Yes, Oldest Road makes me squinty and weak every time.

Fortnam and his former-ilxor chum are back :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLohYdwkv_Q

CF solo record due out sometime in the near-ish future also, I hear.

AG have radiated, and it's so great as usual

https://archgarrison1.bandcamp.com/releases

Here's one of the best tracks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx5d41nRXuc

There's a long old chat with (and a couple of songs from) Craig Fortnam on Gaz Williams' web show from this week.

https://youtu.be/kf30N2IoVp0

This is a great, great interview, thanks. Begins 34 minutes in

https://craigfortnam.bandcamp.com/album/ark

have at it folks :)

https://craigfortnam.bandcamp.com/album/instrumental-music-1

haven't at it folks :)

(this one's much more successful than Ark imo - an album whose painful creation is all too obvious. this is otoh sublime and even hopeful)

November 18th, 2022: not one, not two, but ALL THREE of my favourite active songwriters drop an album. Unprecedented riches

https://craigfortnam.bandcamp.com/album/lunar-one-a-sides-full-moon-releases-oct-2021-sept-22