Originally formed as a duo with an unhealthy desire to emulate the incredible string band, UBS quickly evolved into a collective and laid the groundwork for the deserted village label and events. Since their formation in winter 2001 they have played and recorded sporadically-never settling on one recording method, never settling on one line-up.
The new album on Deadslackstring "The Shore that Fears the Sea" shows a love of the unadorned beauty of Shirley Collins, Anne Briggs and Vashti Bunyan as well as the work of Current 93, Coil and Sol Invictus. Sparse folk sidles up to a more melodic take on free improv and tales of loss and pagan longing abound. If they could exist anywhere, they would be playing in the green man when Sergeant Howie arrives.
Since their sun worship ritual at The Mór Festival in 2003, the students have increased their activities. The set, which included radical reworkings of of some of their quiet new folk songs has been edging towards a more Pharoah Sanders/ Emperor/ Can hybrid thanks to the new drums and horns helping them to blaze brighter in the northern skye. Live shows throughout Ireland and Britain including the Leechrum Festival have seen them wildly improvise with up to twelve members or play straight trad as a trio. Their philosophy is that all paths are equal, all approaches relevant. Members have sometimes met on stage for the first time.
lovely to hang out with you guys in louisville. the shore that fears the sea is beautiful-listening to it right now....enjoy the rest of the tour. the bookmill is an awesome venue and the schoolhouse is pretty cool too. ellen x
Best wishes from Fruits de Mer Records, a small but perfectly-formed new psych/prog label.
Just posted - Record Collector magazine's review of our first single (and they love it)
PLUS old and new videos, all the latest news on our single (Small Faces' Ogden's meets Van der Graaf Generator's Theme One - a very limited coloured vinyl pressing) , a few random live reviews, old jokes and all manner of stuff - plus early news on our new project, with Mellow Candle's Alison O'Donnell! Hope you and your friends enjoy!
I see you're playing in Baltimore soon. I'm sure you can stay with my mom. She'll probably stuff you full of Ukrainian food and she's got a pool.
Hope the tour is going great and that the weather over there is better than these here cold, gray, rainy not-quite-really-sure-if-it's-really-summer-or-not days.
Thanks gav...i know we were thinking of ye last night and wishing ye the best..its an unbelievable tour..would of so loved to have been at the knitting factory gig...what a night id say..rock on!! x
ahhh was hoping to cross paths with you over in this america but most likely not to be yiz are a little too south when i'm around have a great tour nonetheless and try to spend as little time in cleveland as possible. i've some horror stories.
FINALLY . " The Stars Are Underground" the legendary low budget documentary film concerning alternative, hardcore and independent music way back in Celtic Kitten 90's Dublin is up and embedded on it's page in three easily digested parts. Come take a look if you get a chance.
you will also notice clips for Mexican Pets and Jubilee Allstars among others .
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