Pulse: New Music You Need #3 – Green Man Special

The third instalment of the never-ending Pulse: New Music You Need feature is upon us – here we are, haranguing you with new music again.

This time though, things are a little different. Off the back of my visit to Green Man festival last weekend, I’ve decided to give this edition of Pulse a theme in honour of that, and include some of the fine talent involved in this year’s line-up. Hopefully they’ll be new to those ears of yours, and you’ll enjoy them just as much as I do. Ooh, and check out the last two features if you haven’t had the chance yet, by HERE, and by THERE.

 

Mariam the Believer

One of the key reasons I attended Green Man this year, especially seeing as prior to the festival Mariam announced she would not be playing the UK for a considerable amount of time after it. I have been smitten with the music and voice of Mariam the Believer since a friend put me onto her debut album, Blood Donation, last year. Though Mariam Wallentin’s debut solo album, it is far from her first release. Mariam’s day job is alongside her husband, Andreas Werliin, in Wildbirds & Peacedrums (who you should also definitely check out and who have a new album out this year).

Focussing on Mariam the Believer though, the music is sprawling, atmospheric, hypnotic, and ethereal, managing to play around in complex arrangements but make them flow in the accessible manner of pop music. The absolute key component of Mariam the Believer, though, is Mariam’s astonishing voice. Something you’d best hear for yourself instead of reading me ramble about it.

 

Anna Calvi

Speaking of astonishing voices, Anna Calvi – someone who managed to actually make her voice more so live. On record her vocals sound massive, emotive, beautiful, and powerful, but live, holy shit. I don’t think there wasn’t anyone in the crowd who wasn’t almost physically floored when she decided to fully kick out the throat based jams. That’s if they weren’t already getting floored by her fucking raucous guitar playing.

Now, Anna Calvi isn’t exactly new, I know, but damn it, more people need to know, and for all I know you don’t. So to lure the uninitiated in, let’s talk on record. Calvi’s two albums offer up a real sense of power and drama, melding as they do art rock, indie, and tinges of blues, Americana, post-punk, flamenco, and plenty that’s big and bombastic.

 

Sharon Van Etten

Having released her fourth album this year, I am again cheating with this ‘new’ malarkey but yet again, I must insist that more people need to be introduced. So, here I am, introducing you lot to Sharon Van Etten. A singer-songwriter who was suited perfectly to Green Man festival with her blend of indie, pop, and folk tendencies, wrapped up in a bittersweet melancholy that is tender, angry, and wholly immersive.

Van Etten’s voice sells it all though, equal parts fragile and strong, giving her music an incredibly intimate atmosphere. These are songs that can really make you stop, listen, get involved with, and feel a connection to on a personal level. It’s this connectivity to her music, and lyrics, that resulted in some heartfelt sing-a-longs throughout her set.

 

9bach

Nine years new this outfit, as they announced onstage at Green Man, having formed those nine years ago to play Green Man in the first place. Now, I hear what you’re saying, ‘nine years isn’t new, Morgan!’ You’re right, though, I’m pretty sure they’re new to you. Particularly those of you who don’t speak Welsh. For you see, 9bach are a Welsh language collective, but don’t let that dissuade you from giving them a good going over if you don’t speak the language. I mean, Welsh as I might be I don’t speak Welsh, and I enjoy 9bach nevertheless.

If you looked into/translated the lyrics you’d find folk tales, politics, history, personal character based stories, and much more, but stories aren’t all this band has to offer; beautiful, soaring vocals, magical musical arrangements, hypnotising atmospheres, serenity, chaos, and a myriad of different instruments. I’d ask you to imagine a Welsh folk Kate Bush and you’d be somewhere around the mark. Have a listen.

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