Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang.

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & The Cairo Gang,

Whelan's, Dublin.

Most incredible, amazing, beautiful evening.

Totally blown away.

A Further Venture Into The Northlands.

I've been listening to so much great music over the last couple of months that I hardly know where to begin. But I think I might stay in the Northlands for this next installment that is my personal soundtrack. A common theme for me, I know, but there is something about Nordic music that brings a flurry of magical imagery that is all sunlit lakes and trees and snow and wild mountains. 

I actually discovered this guy, Emil Svanängen also known as Loney, Dear, late one evening while following a lovely thread of 'related artists' on Spotify. I'd never heard of him, and from the opening track I was spellbound. What intrigues me is that I can start off listening to their 2004 album Citadel Band and be immersed in the beautiful folky feel to his music, and love every song, and then as the play list moves on to his more recent album (2009) Dear John, there is a distinct but seamless crossover into electronica, which only then do I realise was actually shimmering through the surface of Citadel Band and his earlier albums all along. 

He has released 5 or 6 albums, with another one on the way, and if they are anything to go by, then he can do no wrong. 

Below is a rather beautiful fan made video of one of the songs from Dear John.

You can check out his website over here, and myspace over here.

Nothing makes my heart beat like music that makes the world feel like a nicer place.