Formed in 2011 in Reykjavik, Samaris is an electronic music trio of young musicians still in their early twenties blending haunting vocals (Jófríður Ákadóttir) with electronics (Þórður Kári Steinþórsson) and acoustic clarinet (Áslaug Brún Magnúsdóttir). After two self-released EPs in 2011 and 2012 later compiled into a first ... [Continue Reading]
clarinet
Dhafer Youssef: Whirling birds ceremony
Tunisian composer, oud player and singer Dhafer Youssef is a wandering musician constantly migrating from one country to another within Europe and North Africa, having lived and worked in Tunisia, France, Austria, Norway or Turkey over the years. Following up on the superb Abu Nawas Rhapsody (2010), Dhafer Youssef’s new album ... [Continue Reading]
Seán Mac Erlaine: Amhrán na Leabhar
O Vis Aeternitatis I only discovered Seán Mac Erlaine’s music a few months ago when I heard his version of “O Vis Aeternitatis” on the saxophone. It was one of those epiphanic moments when a piece of music resonates instantly. I was familiar with the piece from the 12th century mystic Hildegard of Bingen through the 1994 ... [Continue Reading]