Tag: Owls of the Swamp

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Meteorite” – Owls of the Swamp

I prefer my Fridays leisurely, gentle introductions to weekends where I’m free to do exactly what I want. However, this one is nothing like that. I’ve got so much work on my plate that I know I’ll be chained to my desk for most of the weekend. When I’m under the pump like this, I look to music like Owls From the Swamp’s new EP Meteorite.

This recording is like a little oasis in a busy day. There’s a dreamlike quality to the music, which brings a modern electric edge to the folk genre.

“Starting All Over,” the single I was already familiar with, lulled me into the recording, instantly putting me at ease. The following track “Stepping Stones” took me back to my childhood, with its reference to throwing stones in the water and watching them ripple and warm, nurturing atmosphere. The title track “Meteorite” may be the dreamiest number of all. I almost get a sense of floating as I listen to it. It’s fitting then that the next song is “How Long Have I Been Sleeping?” It doesn’t quite rouse the listener from their dreamlike state, but rather ease them back into the land of the living. I love the acoustic guitar picking that anchors this song, which may be my favourite on the EP. “I Found You” is such a romantic way to end this beautiful EP. It’s such an honest declaration of love, heart-warming and so endearing.

I love the lush instrumentation of this release. It all sounds so pretty. There’s a lot of layering in the sounds, yet Owls of the Swamp never pushes things too far. This is another stellar release from the Aussie expat.

Meteorite is released on November 4.

Image used with permission from Pete Uhlenbruch

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owls of the Swamp Releases New Single “Start All Over”

My favourite Icelandic-based Aussie, Owls of the Swamp, is giving us a brand new taste of his forthcoming EP Meteorite. Called “Start All Over,” the track is a mellow piece of atmospheric indie-folk, perfect for giving you a little moment of calm during a busy work day.

“Start All Over” came about after Owls of the Swamp took a life-changing trip to Peru. The song sees him considering the bliss he found abroad and contemplating what motivates his “real life.”

Meteorite, featuring “Start All Over,” drops on November 4.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owls of the Swamp Releases Beautiful B-side

I’m old enough to remember the days when single releases mattered. It wasn’t just a case of the song you already owned on the album getting some airplay. You’d head on down to Brashs to pick up the cassingle, or the CD single in later years, and race home to play the B-sides.

It seems I’m not the only one who remembers these days fondly, as Aussie expat Owls of the Swamp has just released a track he’s calling a B-side, “Happiness is a Sad Song.” Like the very best B-sides it’s a little gem tailor-made for fans. I can’t imagine this charming little folk song enjoying airplay, but its insightful lyrics and sweet strummed melody are just gorgeous.

The good news is, there’s more to come. Owls of the Swamp will be releasing more B-sides throughout the year while he records his third studio album in Iceland. Those tracks should tide us over until the album hits stores next year.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Owls of the Swamp Comes Home for Single Tour

I can scarcely believe it’s been almost two years since I reviewed Owls of the Swamp’s stellar album Go With River. I hadn’t realized how much I missed his gentle folky tunes until I heard the man his mum calls Pete Uhlenbruch is back!

I don’t just mean with a new single either, although “The Hypnotist” is gorgeous. What an apt name for a song that serves as a kind of modern lullaby. It’s made even sweeter with heavenly guest vocals from Marketa Irglova, who folk fans will know from her time working with Glenn Hansard on The Swell Season.

No, I mean Owls of the Swamp is planning to be back on home soil by the end of the month. “Owls” spends most of his time in Europe, but he’ll return to Australia for a quick tour to celebrate the single release. Here are all the places folks in the major capitals can see him play!

30 May 2013 – The Newsagency, Sydney
31 May 2013 – The Hideaway, Brisbane
2 June 2013 – The Workers Club, Melbourne (afternoon show)

Image used with permission from Maths and Magic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Go With the River” – Owls of the Swamp

Ordinarily when I set about reviewing an album I listen to it with a notepad beside me. I take copious notes about my thoughts as the music washes over me, and then I somehow piece them all together to create my review. But not this time. As I listened to Go With River, the brand new album from Owls of the Swamp, my notepad lay untouched.

Perhaps that’s going to make reviewing the album a bit harder, but I know why it happened. This is a CD that demands to be listened to. Its music was too beautiful for me to be distracted by analysis and dissection. I was just too busy enjoying it.

I shouldn’t be surprised. I was bowled over by the song “So Far Away” on its release, and I’m just as impressed by this recording. It’s more of that organic, honest music driven by gorgeous lyrics, acoustic guitars and a few well-placed strings. “Skywaters” is my current favorite tune; Aluka’s ethereal voice is the ideal foil for Owls sf the Swamp’s own, and the combination is bittersweet and incredibly moving. But this isn’t an album of obvious singles. Its tunes are much subtler, gently woven together to create an album of real beauty.

Sadly that means Go With River will be overlooked by many people. They won’t hear the songs on the radio or see Owls of the Swamp featured in their favorite magazines, and so they’ll never come across it. But I implore you to seek it out. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Image source: Owls of the Swamp Bandcamp page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover the Beauty of Owls of the Swamp

Every now and then I hear a musician, and I wonder why on earth I’ve never heard of them before. Melbourne’s Owls of the Swamp, or Pete Uhlenbruch as his mum calls him, is one of those special artists.

He’s just completed his fifth European tour, and he’s preparing to release his second album Go With River. The album includes the gorgeous single “So Far Away,” which has some of the most stunning acoustic guitar and cello work I’ve heard in some time, and exquisite backing vocals from Icelandic songbird Myrra Ros. You can download the track now exclusively through Triple J Unearthed. Do it; you won’t be disappointed.

And if you like what you hear get out and support Owls of the Swamp as he launches “So Far Away” at Melbourne’s Bar 303 on 18 March. The $10 tickets (available at the door) are a bit of a bargain as they include a free limited edition copy of the single, complete with B-side!

Image source: Lauren Bamford/Owls of the Swamp website