Kalandra are unique. They are a Nordic folk rock band that is currently based in Liverpool, and features members from Norway, England and the Isle of Man. Their highly individual brand of folk draws together Celtic influences as well, giving them a sound like no other.
The band consists of Andreas Voie Juliebø on drums, Hamish Gore on bass, Jogeir Mæland on guitar, Florian Winter on guitar, Helen Morrisson on piano and backing vocals, and Katrine Stenbekk on lead vocals.
'Sell Your Voice' backed with 'Not Some Fairytale' was Kalandra's first single which was released in 2013 and is still available. 'Sell Your Voice' is piano and guitar driven folk rock, and with a rousing anthemic chorus, I'm surprised that it didn't create far more fuss when it was released.
'Onto The Fire' backed with 'Rest Your Soul' is their latest single, and certainly the most accessible of the two. The band is currently working on new material, which hopefully will be released as an album sometime soon. 'Onto The Fire' starts with some rock guitar and manages to hook the listener with the lulls in the music as well, when it drops away leaving Katrine's voice to the fore, it adds to the atmosphere. In respect of the lyrics, they manage to produce somewhat dark images which would be akin to certain types of heavy metal, but here, somehow, it works: -
|
“ The crowd of the people I hear (repeated) The echoes of water drops on the cold wet ground. Rats are crawling all around...
They open up the doors, and I see the crowd/ For once now I am free, and for that I'm proud. I will not, no I will not bow.”
'Rest Your Soul' showcases the folkier side of the band, a slower ethereal melodic track, this is perfectly paired with the 'A' side. Again, the lyrics have some dark edges: - “Walk, walk, walk on this endless road. Fly, fly, fly away with your heavy load/ Laugh, laugh, laugh, strangers will always greet/ Cry, cry, cry for all the friends you'll never meet again.”
This autumn, the band is touring, both in Norway and the UK, with a couple of dates in Liverpool and Manchester. They will be well worth a visit.
Listen and download Kalandra at Soundcloud
|
