- Music
- 18 Feb 16
The cover stars of the new issue of Hot Press are the groundbreaking trad supergroup, who are about to release their long-awaited second album. Talking to Olaf Tyaransen, the pianist and producer explains how the band’s journey began, the shock of their monumental success, and the blueprint behind The Gloaming 2
A renowned music producer, Thomas Bartlett has worked with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, The National, Glen Hansard and Antony and the Johnsons. But despite all of that, it's as one-fifth of a trad music supergroup that the Vermont man has found perhaps his greatest acclaim.
As The Gloaming prepare to unveil their eagerly-awaited sophomore album, the pianist and producer talks to Olaf Tyaransen, and admits that the extraordinary journey of the past few years took them all by surprise.
"I don't think any of us had particularly clear, preconceived notions about where this was going to go," he reflects. "Basically we got together at Grouse Lodge in 2011 and just tried to come up with some material. Someone had the foresight to book us some shows after that; the shows went really well, so we decided to make a record."
That record, of course, would soon be the Choice Music Prize winner for 2014, and one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the decade.
"It was very gratifying. I was kind of amazed by the reactions, actually. It took me by surprise. The thing is, the record was made quite quickly, and I certainly didn't think that this was going to be an album with major impact."
Now, of course, the follow-up is about to hit shelves, and for fans of the first album, there's no fear of a major shake-up.
"It feels very much like a continuation of the first record. I really didn't feel like we had exhausted the possibilities of the five of us in a room playing. I felt like there was more to be said with a similar sound, and I didn't feel any need to reinvent the band or come in with a totally new concept."
The wide-ranging interview covers everything from struggles with the cúpla focail to picking and choosing White House invitations they'd accept - to read the piece in full, pick up the new issue of Hot Press, on sale now!
You can Buy Hot Press 40-03 with The Gloaming on the cover direct from hotpress.com
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