Release Date: 03 November 2023
Label: Firecrest Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5056032374874
Description
You Are Wolf is the alt-folk project of award-winning British composer and writer Kerry Andrew, presenting folk songs with unusual, bold arrangements influenced by electronica, contemporary classical and alt-pop.
hare // hunter //moth // ghost is You Are Wolf's first album for five years. It is based on themes of transformation, inspired by Kerry's own experiences of recent debilitating chronic illness, and transition to a non-binary identity.
The album's songs, made up of traditional and folklore-inspired originals, include metamorphoses between the natural/supernatural worlds, human/animal, dark/light, and gender binaries. A celebration of nature and fluidity, there are queer ghosts, vengeful stepdaughters, seductive foxes and witches' spells, told in an utterly modern and individual style that draws on their contemporary classical background, as well as drone, electronica and alt-pop.
The album features collaborations with three of the UK and Ireland's most eminent nature writers, Robert Macfarlane (writing a new lyric for Kerry in 'Blue Men'), activist/author of The Book of Trespass Nick Hayes and Kerri Ni Dochartaigh, author of the Wainwright Prize-shortlisted Thin Places. 'Herne/Abbots Bromley Horn Dance' also features English folk star Sam Lee as a guest vocal.
The album comes during a long recovery from four years of chronic illness, and was recorded remotely to fit with Kerry's abilities. The making of the album was physically challenging and a way to begin to return to singing. They had to rely more on their own instrumentation, so went back to their old teenage years of piano and flute playing!
Kerry experimented with prepared piano and improvisation, and mixed traditional composition/songwriting with playing with material in the studio. Kerry also co-engineered and co-produced for the first time, alongside regular producer MaJiKer (Camille, Gaggle, Berywam), who brings his electronica and pop sensibilities to these mostly traditional songs. You Are Wolf's bandmates on second album, Keld, added to the palate: Sam Hall on 'cello, bass and backing vocals, and Peter Ashwell on vibraphone and marimba. Ben See (Ben and Dom) provided additional backing vocals and Hannah Dilkes provided trombone.
Tracklisting
You Are Wolf
You Are Wolf
You Are Wolf
