Ian Boddy’s label DiN has always offered the opportunity for diverse artists to form interesting and unexpected collaborations.
On Arcadia Borealis Bernhard is joined by Norwegian ambient artist Erik Wøllo. Although this is Erik’s first DiN outing he is well known internationally having released many acclaimed albums on labels such as Spotted Peccary and having collaborated before with well known artists such as Steve Roach. Indeed it was at a music festival in The Netherlands where Erik and Bernhard first met which coincidentally had DiN label boss Ian Boddy playing on the same bill.

The basic premise for the music on Arcadia Borealis was to look at the 18th century, when Arctic explorers were like the Apollo astronauts of their time. Venturing into the great unknown with the real possibility of never returning home. A time when the books of Jules Verne & H.G.Wells set the tone for the scientific advances yet to come. So the album takes the listener on a journey to new and unexplored lands, inspired by the landscapes and weather of Wøllo’s Norwegian homeland.

The 12 tracks cover a range of atmospheres with many environmental sounds providing an aural backdrop over which Wöstheinrich creates his characteristic organic, evolving rhythms. Wøllo is well known for the melodic element of his work and he weaves beautiful, beguiling melodies that rise and fall like the seas those early explorers would have sailed upon. At times the music has an austere simplicity reminiscent of Wøllo’s Norwegian compatriot Biosphere and certainly each track paints a sonic picture that the listener can absorb themselves in. 

credits

All music composed, recorded and produced by
Erik Wøllo and Bernhard Wöstheinrich.
Mixed and Mastered by Erik Wøllo at
Wintergarden Studio, Norway, 2008/2009.