The Ensemble and Their Botanical Roots

Hedera comprises five accomplished musicians – violinist Lulu Austin, violin and viola player Maisie Brett, violinist and double bassist Beth Roberts, accordionist and harpist Tamsin Elliott, and clarinettist Isis Wolf-Light. The band’s name, derived from the Latin botanical term for ivy, hints at the interconnectedness and organic growth that define their sound. Their collective musical backgrounds are as varied as the landscapes that inspire their compositions.

A World of Sound in Twelve Tracks

The album is a testament to the power of musical exchange, drawing inspiration from Bulgaria, Bali, Ireland, Georgia, and beyond. The opening track, “Sterretjie” (Afrikaans for both “coastal tern” and “little stars”), immediately establishes the album’s hypnotic and intricately layered aesthetic. Brett’s violin initiates the melody, seamlessly passing it to Wolf-Light’s clarinet and Elliott’s accordion, creating a bright and swiftly evolving sonic texture. This interplay of instruments is a hallmark of Hedera’s style.

Throughout the twelve tracks, moments of pure joy and delicate beauty abound. Roberts’ waltz, “Mayflies in June,” paints a vivid picture of a Cornish meadow, its melody gracefully shifting between minor and major keys, beautifully supported by Elliott’s harp. Elliott’s previous work, notably the 2023 Anglo-Egyptian album So Far We Have Come with oud player Tarek Elazhary, demonstrates her exceptional ability to bridge cultural soundscapes.

The album’s exploration extends to the exotic sounds of Bali with “Sekar Jagat” (“flower of the universe”), which blossoms from prepared harp and plucked strings into a vibrant melody originally conceived for gamelan. Perhaps most powerfully, “Shen Khar Venakhi,” a 1,000-year-old Georgian hymn that remarkably survived the Soviet purges, showcases the band’s vocal prowess, with all five members uniting in a dense and resonant harmony. What does it mean to preserve musical traditions in the face of political oppression, and how does Hedera’s interpretation honor the hymn’s history?

Hedera doesn’t simply borrow from these traditions; they engage in a genuine dialogue, creating something entirely new and compelling. The arrangements are sophisticated, yet retain a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The album feels less like a collection of individual songs and more like a continuous, evolving soundscape.

The band’s ability to seamlessly blend these diverse influences is a testament to their musicianship and their deep respect for the cultures they draw from. This isn’t fusion for fusion’s sake; it’s a genuine attempt to create a universal language through music. How might Hedera’s approach inspire other artists to embrace cross-cultural collaboration?

Further exploration of Hedera’s influences can be found through research into traditional Bulgarian folk music here and Balinese Gamelan here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hedera