We Speak Music
Michele Ducci to make long-awaited live return to the UK, supporting Is Tropical at New River Studios in London on the 9th of April.
Michele Ducci to release ‘Why Do I Wake Up Every Morning?’ and first part of animated short film ‘Film for Songs: The Great Book of Nature’.
Out 4th April via Monotreme Records.
‘Why Do I Wake Up Every Morning?’ is the first part of ‘Film for Songs: The Great Book of Nature’, an animated short film by Michele Ducci and Letizia Mandolesi. The film, which contains two new songs, ‘Why Do I Wake Up Every Morning?’ and ‘Why You?’, tells the adventurous story of an animated book called ‘The Great Book of Nature’, which itself purports to tell the story of a printed book by the same name.
With references to Méliès’ ‘The Vanishing Lady’, Bruno’s ‘On the Infinite Universe and Worlds’, and philosophers Ernst Bloch and Rocco Ronchi, ‘Why Do I Wake Up Every Morning?’ sets the stage for the encounter between a sleep-deprived traveller and the magical book. Says Ducci, “The song talks about the enigma of time lived as a living presence in that dizzying moment when we can’t fall asleep. In the end we fall asleep and wake up and that enigma, of falling and rising, like living choruses, is maybe who we are as living beings.”
‘Why Do I Wake Up Every Morning?’ is an infectious Swing beat pop song that features whistling, sweet boy/girl harmonies and Ducci’s softly purring vocals.
The second track and full movie will be released in June.
Michele Ducci will make a long-awaited live return to the UK, supporting Is Tropical at New River Studios in London on the 9th of April.
We Speak Music
Christian Balvig releases gorgeous new album ‘Find And You Will Seek’ in collaboration with Ensemble Hermes.
Acclaimed composer and arranger Christian Balvig is known for his work with an array of artists and bands like Jade, Efterklang, Lowly, When Saints Go Machine and Mew, as well as his work with some of the most acclaimed orchestras like Royal Northern Sinfonia (BBC Proms), The Royal Danish Orchestra, Copenhagen Phil, London Contemporary Orchestra, The Danish Radio Broadcast Orchestra and The Norwegian Wind Ensemble.
The cinematic sound on his new album might echo Balvig’s work in the world of film and TV music. Scoring the 2025 Oscar shortlisted short movie ‘Eternal Father’ and the Danish hit series ‘Cry Wolf’ (Ulven Kommer), which has been shown on television in more than 30 countries around the globe, including Channel 4 in the UK. He was also nominated for a Harpa award for ‘Best score’ last year at the Berlinale for ‘The Son and the Moon (Min Arv Bor I Dig)’.
Balvig’s new album, ‘Find And You Will Seek’, backed by Danish string group Ensemble Hermes, grew organically out of this background of experiences and is music that appeals to listeners seeking original, immersive music with space for reflection and contemplation.
‘Find And You Will Seek’ is a collection of chamber works that explore the combination of piano and strings in new ways. Recent single ‘The BirdSuite II – Praesentia’ is part of a 3-part Suite running throughout the record, written and performed on a custom made “Keybird” piano, which is an una-corda (one string pr note) piano that gives a more subtle and intimate sound. On top of it is a lush and emotional string ensemble arrangement with Ensemble Hermes in multiple layers fluctuating in and out of the keybird piano.
Balvig’s second single from the record is ‘What Happened To The World’, an ultra transparent neo-classical inspired piece, with slow melodic structures, a simple chord progression and emotional performance starting with a floating viola solo. It is written from the feeling that the world sometimes goes backwards, and you feel left on the platform wanting to take the train in a different direction.
From film music inspired pieces to experimental chamber music over piano concerto inspired movements, to more neo-classical productions with almost orchestral sounding dubs of strings, ‘Find And You Will Seek’ flows with emotions and lush sound worlds, always with a tangible organic texture.
Find Christian Balvig and Ensemble Hermes on tour in Denmark:
27.5 Ansgars Kirke (Odense)
28.5 Folkegaarden Festival (Aalborg)
29.5 Gnisten (Ry)
30.5 Musikhuset (Aarhus)
1.6 Basement (Copenhagen)
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