We Speak Music
The Trouble Notes drop new video ‘The Banjolorian’ combining trad folk instruments & hiphop grooves
The Banjolorian is the latest release from The Trouble Notes. A playful mix of traditional Folk instruments and Hiphop grooves, the track sits at the juxtaposition between rural Americana Folk, and Urban rhythms that have been a driver behind the group’s unique sound.
The vision for the song came together whilst traveling extensively in the American West during their Lose Your Ties tour in 2019.
In typical ”Trouble” fashion, they met some epic musicians from both the Hiphop and Folk scenes that shaped the vision for the song, dreaming to create something that would fuse the two genres together. The Banjolorian is playful and light hearted on the surface, but beneath the uplifting melodies is a deep appreciation for the tradition of the genres.
“Growing up in the Midwest of America, I was exposed to a wide range of musical influence. Yes, I studied classical music, but my music collection was highlighted by Americana, Rock and Hiphop records. It was these influences that led me to shape the repertoire of The Trouble Notes. The Banjolorian is a nod to those formative years of my life.”
Bennet Cerven, Violinist – The Trouble Notes
The Banjolorian is out Friday 3rd March
The new studio album Liberty Awaits is out on Friday 19th May- https://thetroublenotes.bandcamp.com/album/liberty-awaits
London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Waz-u returns with his second album, Preludes: Dusk Psalms, set for release on 16 May 2025 via independent label Biodiversity. The 15-track record further refines the artistic depth of his debut, blending electronic textures and classical compositional techniques in an intricate, immersive listening experience.
Ahead of the album release, Waz-u is dropping an exclusive vocal version of ‘Vermillion: G Major’ from the album, accompanied by its original instrumental version. ‘Vermillion’ with Lilyg will be released on 18 April 2025, evoking intimate indie-folk and pop and follows the release of a vocal version of ‘Lament’ with Tom Norrington. ‘The singles are a way to give a voice to the atmosphere of the record and to lyrically encapsulate some of the themes explored,’ explains Waz-u. ‘Lily and Tom are good friends of mine and have both been listening to early iterations of these preludes – it felt right to involve them directly on this record.’
‘Preludes: Dusk Psalms’ marks a new branch of Waz-u’s emerging sound, guided by the duality of tradition and innovation. Combining his musical roots in early ‘90s dub techno and classical music, the album weaves carefully layered synthesizers and electronics to evoke the ambience of sacred music — from the gentle timbres of a choir or an organ to the quiet, open, and reverberating spaces of a church. Also featured throughout the album is experimental musician G9 LUV, who creates textures and drones by bowing his bass guitar, resulting in cello-like sounds. The release follows Waz-u’s 2024 debut LP, Prayer For Dawn, which merged dub, techno, and electronica in an exploration of the ritualistic traditions associated with both organized religion and dance.
Bringing the album’s themes to life, Waz-u will celebrate the release of Preludes: Dusk Psalms with a special performance at Our Holy Redeemer in Clerkenwell, London on 14 May 2025. Set against the church’s resonant acoustics, the event will feature live performance arrangements, including a choir, with further details to be announced soon.
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