Following the release of her single ‘Went To Walk’ in May 2023, Sligo-based Austrian violinist/singer/yodeller and composer Claudia Schwab sets out to launch her third solo album of the same title, coming July 7th.
‘Went to Walk’ video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3XomKobGUE
Born out of a solitary forest, the seaside, and mountain dwellings during the periods of lock down, Schwab’s album marks a return to the origins of her composing practices: a world of sound that she could create, and retreat to, entirely on her own.
Never shy of crossing borders between genres, traditions, and conventions, the album presents an introspective body of folk-inspired songs with experimental elements. Amalgamating aspects of the worlds of Irish, Austrian and Indian Classical music traditions, the compositions are interwoven with sound samples collected at home in Sligo, as well as during arts residencies in Crete, Austria, India and Sri Lanka. Amidst the sounds of a whistling kettle, wooden drawers, a coffee cup, nuclear alarms or Indian prayers, we hear of unfinished love stories, the yearning to be left alone, diverse “what if” scenarios of re-crafting our lifestyles, or reflections on the startling lack of being present to our own lives.
Featuring guest musicians Jos Kelly (keys) and Matija Solce (accordion) on the title track “Went To Walk”, as well as Michael McGoldrick (flute/whistle) on the avantgarde yodel-trad experiment “Jodlphase”, the remainder of this delicate body of sounds is written for an intimate solo set up of violin, vocals, piano and loops.
Today, Claudia shares the second taster of what’s to come with new song ‘Ois Z’Vü’. Speaking on the song, she says “What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? My strategy is this: I go to bed. Don’t call me, leave me my peace. These days they were beautiful, but now I’m going to lie down. Sometimes I am missing a bit of time to breathe and dream; that moment has come Now.”
Written in her native Austrian dialect, the song features a rhythm collage made out of sound samples such as a wooden drawer, a crunched spinach bag, samples of space and nuclear alarms, her front door, a bulldog attack on her neighbour’s tree, and her granny’s old pendulum.
Ois Z’Vü video: https://youtu.be/vYNU7BB1HrQ?si=E7iFxpbbaEPaLekw
The album ‘Went to Walk’ will be available on CD and all streaming platforms July 7th 2024.
TOUR DATES:
July 7th; 7pm at Methodist Church, Sligo @ Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, IRE (https://www.cairdefestival.com/events/claudia-schwab)
August 11th; 12pm at Viru Folk Festival, EST
October 8th; Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, IRE
October 28th: The Glens Centre Manorhamilton, IRE
November 1st; UCC FUAIM, Cork, IRE
(More dates to be announced soon)
ALBUM TRACK LIST:
- WHAT IF 03:44
- SHRAVANABELAGOLA 01:02
- WENT TO WALK 07:26
- JODLPHASE 05:52
- UNDER WATER 05:11
- STRAY BIRDS 05:11
- STOP THE CLOCKS 09:51
- OIS Z´VÜ 04:36
- EK ONG KAR 01:10
- HOW LONG 03:15
Total running time: 47min.
