Lisathe - Lisathe (2019)

Lisathe’s self-titled debut album features nine reinvented pieces of stunning instrumental music, derived from well-known Icelandic composers.

At the hands of Bassist Brendan Clark, Guitarist Oliver Thorpe and Drummer Miles Thomas, Lisathe deliver warm tones and immersive progressions, touched with cinematic crescendos at rare intervals.

Lovers of Icelandic greats such as Ásgeir, Skúli Sverrisson, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Björk and Jófríður Ákadóttir will find themselves at home with this record, as will any lover of their stylistic influences - Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden and Daniel Lanois.

“Essentially the idea of reworking these songs came about as a way of reducing the amount of material from which we could draw from,” begins Clark. "Ollie, Miles and I had been getting together regularly to improvise as a trio and we thought it would be great if we were able capture the atmosphere we were able to create together on record. I had one piece by an Icelandic composer up my sleeve (interestingly this piece didn’t even make the record) and I decided it might be interesting to go searching for more material from that country to rework, as a way of narrowing down our source material. I’ve also been lucky enough to visit Iceland a couple of times and I’ve fallen in love with the place."

Pagan Poetry, originally written by Björk, is the first single off the album. Paying respects to the Icelandic singer’s visceral, erratic voice through a tactful instrumental translation, Lisathe’s rework captures the urgency and intricacies of the original song – swapping delicateness for raw guitar power as they pay homage to a rich, emotive melody.

“After initially recording this one I wasn’t too keen on the arrangement but it’s really come alive during post production (particularly thanks to Miles’s work),” says Clark. “It’s taken on a sound of its own that I feel really represents the various elements of the group and the album in general. I love Björk’s writing and her ability to effortlessly weave a melody over static harmony. Ollie did a really beautiful job of interpreting the melody and I think it does justice to the original.”

Even if you’re unfamiliar with the original tracks, the range of moods and the general harmony of every instrument at work nurtures feeling through listening. On this self-titled album, a listener will oft find a sense of comfort, immersion, and perhaps even a hint of nostalgia on a song by song basis, each track each song as warm and engaging as a postcard from an old friend. With experimentation and minimalism hiding in the cracks of the album, Lisathe’s debut is unexpected, engaging and a strong starting point for the band’s budding career.