the neo-pagan neo-psych-folk of
Arrowwood

MCDR (2006), MCDR (2007)










Little Somebody   Arrowwood : Hemlock and Spindle Flower (US,2006)***

Now on the same label as Novemthree, Arrowwood is close in sphere/mood to the aforementioned group. Arrowwood is led by Chelsea Robb who has a girly whispery voice. She plays many acoustic instruments like her close companon Pythagumus of Novemthree whose contribution has its recognisable influence in style. Other small contributions are from Jaimie Truva (bells), Lindsay Hoffman (various instruments) and Josh Lovejoy (Leodsong Guild),...The music is simple and beautiful, and comes close to artists like for instance Kathleen Baird or Larkin Grimm. There's a dreamy soft and gentle feeling in the music (perfect to dream away to), with a gentle heart, and a certain vague moodiness inspiration, but with a clear sound like twinkling instruments mixed with a gentle small drone, and a hush-my-baby heartfelt whispering voice. Very nice.

This is a limited release of 99 only, so be quick.

Audio : "Blackbird", "the mourner's song", "in ruin" and on homepage with info : http://myspace.com/arrowwood
Label : http://www.myspace.com/littlesomebody
and http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=540457
Other review : http://calmintrees.blogspot.com/2006/12/arrowwood.html
Little Somebody   Arrowwood / Novemthree (US,2007)***'

This music leaves a flavour of sadness making me remember how disappointed I am in many people for being so hard on others who deal with incapabilities through circumstances while their own goals and judgements are not open for change, and are there to stay. When I heard Bob Theil singing lately something like “we’re so busy numbering our enemies instead of giving ourselves to our dreams ?” It told me once more that in chasing our dreams we sometimes fail, but in fact that should not matter. Now, withdrawn from most scenes, I am able to see calmly all that is reflecting, and while life passes by more quickly, the real lack of change behind that does not reach me with its destructive energy that does not want to see struggling change more than real evolutions during each process. I’m now one with nature, and work in various gardens. All meetings pass just the way like animals. The instinctive creatures pass more quickly, while the loving one remains longer. Novemtree’s music is minimal, and therefore very easily from a sad nature, provoking this way very easily all thoughts that dwell, but within those minimum layers it also finds shapes of something eternal, while with the nervous energy in a distance, it finds its own shape in nature and into a natural balance and process. The handrums to it (drones, flutes, guitars) makes it a personal ritual, ghostly female vocals pass by, the humming and ritual are also like a funeral. Sounds of frogs makes the wandering soul one and withdrawn in natural, the sadness shows its own life, slow, and a bit romantic if you wish (piano)…

Arrowwood can be seen as the feminine side of Novemtree. And like the specific woman (I forgot her name) for the becoming-stagnant phase of Shiva, she brings life to where he had brought them, gives meaning and birth to songs and happiness, giving a meaning to life in the woods, she really is like the voice of life for it, while he delivers a few instruments and flute playing, a singing glass bowl. She’s fantasy in song, awakens the energy, with sweetness, innocence and with an unrestrained care. The two cdr’s make a beautiful pair.

Homepage with audio : http://myspace.com/arrowwood & http://myspace.com/novemthree
Label : http://www.myspace.com/littlesomebody See also http://cdbaby.com/cd/arrowwoodnovemthree
Other review : http://curveofsound.wildhunt.org/2007/12/10/venturing-into-a-dark-wood/
Interview : http://www.eveningoflight.nl/en/interviews/pythagumus.htm

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