Debut album from Anglo-Swedish group Silence Blossoms combining contemporary and original poetry with folk-inspired melodies and bringing both into an improvised music soundworld. They have been described as playing "haunted and corrupted modern folk laments, possessed of a gelid Baltic beauty" by MOJO (in a 4 star review) and "a perfect blend of sweet harmony and art noise" by The Ring Modulator blog.
Silence Blossoms are Sam Andreae (composition, tenor saxophone, voice, guitar, electronics), Gus Loxbo (double bass, guitar, voice, saw) and Hanna Olivegren (voice, synthesizer). Using poetry as a starting point for their pieces, the group incorporates text and melody into an improvised music setting, keeping the sensibilities that make improvisation such an exciting format for expression while introducing structure and familiar shapes through the use of song, harmony and melody.
Andreae's folkish compositions anchor the music and give the group space to restlessly explore contrasting themes of darkness, light, aggression, fragility, pain and joy. Inspired in equal parts by free improvisers and song poets such as Leonard Cohen, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, David Sylvian and Otomo Yoshihide, Silence Blossoms draw a line between these distinctly contrasting yet beautifully complementary styles.
Strictly limited edition, the CDs are packaged in hand-crafted cardboard cases designed and printed by the artist and designer Angela Guyton.