New To Hot Press: Clang Sayne

Formed in London in 2008 by Laura Hyland, Clang Sayne have garnered much acclaim for their unique and challenging soundscapes. They blend traditional Irish folk with the free-form experimentation of jazz and avant-garde music, to consistently mesmerising effect.

Having received considerable praise for their 2009 debut album Winterlands, the group then split, only to subsequently reform and record The Round Soul Of The World. It’s a work inspired by Hyland’s desire to create music that can blend with nature.

“After I left London, I moved back to Wexford,” she recalls. “While I was there, I was struck by the sounds of the world. I got lost in the sounds of the sea, the birds and the wind, and I spent every day improvising and writing. It was summer, so I could play in the garden after breakfast, and for hours, I would sit trying to imitate what I heard.”

On The Round Soul Of The World, the majestically layered vocal harmonies are highly captivating, but Hyland is also fond of the way the band utilise space. “If anything, space is of much more importance than the music,” she suggests. “It’s hard not to fall into the habit of playing the same thing repeatedly, and simply going through the motions, so use of space is really vital.”

Having recently commenced a nationwide tour – which includes a collaboration with the artist David Begley – Clang Sayne’s incredible sense of sonic adventure makes them a live experience not to be missed.
Clang Sayne play HWCH, Dublin (September 29); Alice’s Restaurant, Naas (30); and The Black Box, Belfast (0ctober 5). See clangsayne.com for more live dates.