- Fri, 2013-03-22 22:34
The bizarrely named Kaatskill Mountains exploded into my ear drums last month supporting Bo Ningen at The Ruby Lounge; I caught up with them to find out more about their interesting sound.
Kaatskill Mountains, named after some mythical mountains in the story of Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, consist of just two members, John on vocals and drums and Daisy on guitar and sampler, they sure do make a big impression and one can begin to see why when they are influenced by gospel, Iranian garage and lo-fi pop.
I asked them to describe their music to begin with, seen as how they are such a new band and relatively unknown, they told me that they were “noisy, lo-fi and lyrically motivated” and they want you to make up your own mind about them.
With somewhat eclectic taste, you can find them enjoying Missa Luba, a record by a Congolese choir reformed and guided by Father Guido Haazen, a Belgian Priest as well as Dirty Projectors and a set of new Manchester based bands and musicians such as Mistoa Poltsa's self-titled first album and LLION SWYD's album Melin.
Having seen them live, I was instantly drawn to ‘Lamma’s Tyde’, so I asked them what it was all about. I was informatively told that Lamma’s Tide is an event on 07 August 2012 when fairie hills can be seen to rise up in pillars. Morgan Gwilym saw the faeries and heard their music dying away and caught on the last four notes – Bb C D Eb. In their version, Kaatskill Mountains have sampled these notes using a flute and the effect is haunting.
Having asked about their aspirations for the future, to “become a stronger live band, record a third concept album by the end of the year and keep having fun at every gig we play” was the reply I received. I think this is a fantastic ambition for such a new band and the fact that they are so keen to record more material really strikes a chord with me.
Check them out at:
www.kaatskillmountains.bandcamp.com
www.kaatskills.tumblr.com
