Mix a troubadour, some William Blake writings, and some off-kilter melodies and you have Rio en Medio. But you’ll also need some ukulele, cello, electronic percussion, and a saw. Add a dash of Jew’s harp, also. Oh, don’t forget some quiet psychedelica. Rio en Medio is Danielle Stech-Homsy, who is the locus of The Bride of Dynamite.
The Gnomonsong label has released the album. That might give you an idea as to its odd music. Gnomonsong, of course, is Devendra Banhart’s label, and Banhart’s music is, yes, odd as well. That said, one could make comparisons to Banhart’s music but, more so, to Joanna Newsom’s, whose album Ys was well-received last year with its odd melodies and harp plucking.
“Tiger’s Ear” is a short spacey tune that Loreena McKennitt might have created after witnessing a pagan ritual in some foggy woods. “Joe Watson Was on A Plane” is something like a ‘60s folk song with added blips and blops of electronica added. “The Baghdad Merchant’s Son” is dance beat thrumming behind the most impossibly fragile voice you’ll hear.
Strange music, this one. You won’t hear it pumping out of the speakers at the Gap in the mall anytime soon, nor will you find it played during the closing credits of another Kate Hudson romantic comedy. Perhaps a David Lynch film would be more like it. The music is unsettling at times, a creepy-ness seeps in, you squirm a bit even though the music is quiet. Spooky musical settings, ambient and unearthly. Yes, it’s creative and adventurous, but probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Copyrights
Jonathan Shipley. Rio en Medio. Copyright 2007 Venus Zine.
