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CMU Approved
Approved: Erland Cooper
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 26 February 2019
Erland Cooper released his debut album ‘Solan Goose’ last year. The first part of a planned trilogy of albums, it took inspiration from the birds of the Orkney Islands, Cooper’s childhood home. He’s now announced part two, ‘Sule Skerry’, on which he will turn his attention to the sea.
“It’s a record about the sea”, Cooper explains, “our relationship with the outside world, forces outside of our control, but it’s also about creating a nest within that, nurturing and protecting our own sea havens, those sheltered bays, those safe places. Always returning back in some form, as we step in and out daily”.
“I’m always looking at the narrative, the story or concepts to thread the music around”, he goes on. “It acts like a nautical map, something to refer back to when you get lost at sea. I like to take almost an etching of the landscape away with me in my books, boxes, digital and analogue machines. When you listen to something out of context, that’s when you learn exactly what to keep and what to discard”.
The first track from the album, ‘Haar’, is named after the sea mist that can stretch for miles. The opening track on the LP, it sets a tone with violin, viola, cello and the voice of soprano Lottie Greenhow building around a simple piano motif. Field recordings of thunder off the coast of Orkney bring the piece to its soft crescendo.
‘Sule Skerry’ is set for release on 17 May. You can catch Cooper live at The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge on 30 Mar, the Barbican in London on 16 May, and Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall on 24 May.
Watch the video for ‘Haar’ here:
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