'The Empty Mirror' is the key piece for the forthcoming album ‘Stories in Slow Light' by Gifts from Crows. It was inspired by a photograph taken by Helena Whitten at Poltimore House in Devon which depicts a solitary figure in front of an oval frame where a mirror used to be. The track evokes the memory of our ancestors and imagines all the living souls who have passed in front of the now long gone mirror. The protagonist appears to be channelling these spirits out of the ancient walls of the house, at times contorted by the energy flowing through her and then flowing with serenity.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
What first got you into music?
I was too young to experience punk but the post-punk era that followed brought with it some of the most wonderful bands such as Joy Division, The Cure, The Banshees, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance. These artists showed me the potential of what music could be and made me want to create my own.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
The challenge is the same as it ever was - getting heard. It used to be that unless you could get your music on the cover of the NME then you couldn't get your records into the record shops. Now we can all get our music within a click of anyone who wants to hear it but they still have to know about you in the first place. I guess we're all taking part in this new digitally fragmented adventure in music distribution. Follow @giftsfromcrows on Instagram if you want to know what's going on. I find that the best place to communicate with everyone.
Your latest track is 'The Empty Mirror'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
‘The Empty Mirror’ is the key piece from the forthcoming album ‘Stories in Slow Light. It was inspired by a photograph taken by Helena Whitten at Poltimore House in Devon which depicts a solitary figure in front of an oval frame where a mirror used to be.
The track evokes the memory of our ancestors and imagines all the living souls who have passed in front of the now long gone mirror. The protagonist appears to be channelling these spirits out of the ancient walls of the house, at times contorted by the energy flowing through her and then flowing with serenity.
The piece was recorded at Swallow Studios in Smallwood and features members of the string section of the Northern Film Orchestra. The strings shift from tight pizzicato motifs to sweeping legato passages building to a crescendo of ancient harmonies fought out between the cello, viola and violin performers. In the closing bars, a kind of peace is finally restored.
The video for was shot on location at Poltimore House but this time dancer and choreographer Kristine Berget reprises Helena’s role from the photograph and we follow her as she moves around the rooms and hallways of the crumbling mansion.
I find Helena’s photos incredibly emotive. They are simultaneously timeless but also contemporary and speak to so many of the challenges that humanity is facing today – the fragility of the planet, the transience of life, loneliness and mental health. It is all there and these are also the themes that I explore in my music.
Where do you see your musical career in 10 years?
I have concluded that I am a ‘Lifer’ as far as music is concerned. I write music because I have to and I find it endlessly fascinating. It doesn’t seem to matter how long you immerse yourself in music, it still remains somewhat mysterious and unknowable which is quite wonderful when you think about it. Hopefully some of my music will have found its way into many people’s collections in 10 years time. I also hope that it will have been used in films and television and be being performed live in some form or other. That is the ambition anyway.
Do you think that education is important?
Education in general is critically important. Many of the ills of today are caused by ignorance and the spreading of misinformation. With respect to music though I have a somewhat ambivalent attitude to it. I have never studied music or been taught to play an instrument but I play piano and guitar and have written hundreds of songs and instrumental works. My lack of academic study doesn’t hold me back. In fact, I feel more creative and unrestrained by convention not to have had a formal training.
Where is the best place in the world you’ve ever been to?
I have spent quite a lot of time in Norway over the years and I do love that country. The landscape is so inspiring and I love the people too.
What are you most proud of?
My children are my greatest source of pride. As they get older they become such fascinating human beings. It’s too early with my Gifts From Crows project to make any great claims for it but I have surprised myself with what has been achieved so far.