Released earlier this month, “Hans the Reluctant Wold Juggler” the latest from 3epkano, will introduce you to a new world of characters, narratives and rich soundscapes.
In a nutshell 3epkano are a seven piece band based in Dublin that specialise in cinematic soundscapes and producing soundtracks for old silent movies. They have established a following in both Ireland and the States since their formation in 2004 and have most recently performed on the mainstage at Electric Picnic and at both the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
From mainstage at a major festival to performing in a national gallery; it is clear from the outset that 3epkano bridge significant divides between genres, and their latest effort goes even further to please those on both sides of the spectrum.
The casual listener will appreciate the “listenability” of the album, it’s inventive, stunningly harmonious and keeps you interested to the end. That interest is invested in the narrative quality of the sound which tells its own story in every listener. It seems the 7-piece collective, who have made a name for themselves in their creation of soundtracks for existing silent movies, are just as adept at generating their own visions and story lines, integrated into the subtleties of the compositions and generated in the imagination of the listener.
“Extremely Accessible”
“Rim Shak” is a good example of where the group’s experimental artistic edge finds a middle ground with mainstream music. A stringed intro and textured synth wash gradually develops into an extremely accessible heavy rock progression that is not only tasteful but also strikingly powerful.
It is easy to find yourself jumping from track to track with this album but its real power is in appreciating the collection of songs as a whole. As if moving from scene to scene the tracks seem to suggest moments or events within an overall narrative. It is at this point that the obvious associations with Sigur Ross or Halves seem to fall a little flat, and links to Cinematic Orchestra seem a bit more accurate.
3epkano hold their own however, with a sound that consistently takes you by surprise; you certainly haven’t heard “Not Now Steve” or “Haxon Haxoff” anywhere before. The latter once again introduces an epic rock element, distorted guitar breaks cutting into dancing violin runs and building drum rhythms. Its familiar, but unique, they are not reinventing the wheel but it looks and feels a whole lot better, thats for sure.
“Sunrise for Sophie”, on its own is a stunning piece of music that is exemplary of the attention to detail that has gone into every track on the album. The tug and pull between the structured, more traditional elements and the looser yet powerful “rock” explosions of distortion create an effective and enjoyable experience.
Highly Recommended – Worth Every Penny.
http://www.3epkanomusic.com/
Hans is Coming from 3epkano video on Vimeo.
Reaction
Recently picked above their contemporaries over on The Silent Ballet
With so many big guns scheduled for fall, it’s hard to choose a favorite. 3epkano gets the edge as a unique band on the verge of a breakthrough. While other post-rock bands dabble in the cinematic or occasionally score a silent film, this has always been 3epkano’s modus operandi.
Fall Music Preview – The Silent Ballet
The Irish Times threw them four stars…
It crashes like a series of heavy waves in Rim Shak and Not Now Steve ; it cajoles and caresses in EP Ross, Fireworks and Hax On/Hax Off ; and it lands a bliss-kiss in your brain on closing track Sunrise for Sophie .
The Irish Times – 21/10/2011
While Meg.ie and Harmless Noise also sing their praises.
It’s not that there’s a generic quiet-loud formula at stake here. Ep Ross remains constant in its melancholy, the mournful cello playing out beautifully against a simple piano backing to heartbreaking effect, while Sunrise for Sophie is its touching, string-drenched antidote.
What happens when a band steer clear of scenes, immerse themselves in strange pursuits and generally behave in a way that’s completely opposite to everything else? Why, they display all the signs of individuality and for 3epkano, nowhere is this clearer than the refrains of their new, second album Hans The Reluctant Wolf Juggler.
Harmless Noise (4.5 Stars)
This would be our top reason for associating 3epkano with Sigur Ros..
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Some wonder at the title, but ultimately it’s the music that matters..
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It has been getting airtime on all the right shows…
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