"A true labor of love, an exploration of Norwegian heritage and of self-discovery and her work is truly nothing short of inspirational" - Chicago Music Guide
"Elegant, sublime, pure artistry...its impact can be felt for miles away" - Metal Temple
"This may be music that recalls Sylvaine's Nordic forbears, but it's also music for all of us, wherever we hail from, tugging at primal memories we can't fully comprehend" - Sentinel Daily
On her new EP, Sylvaine calls out from the deepest and darkest depths of emotion, only to reverberate with the ethereal power of her voice.
Eg Er Framand comes out this Friday, March 22. But you can listen to all six songs today on Season of Mist's YouTube channel.
Listen below.
Sylvaine has grown into a guiding light for ambient post-metal, but her second EP traces back to her earliest roots.
Kathrine Shepard grew up in Norway, amidst the contrasts between nature and urbanity, on the outskirts of downtown Oslo. While studying music, dance and drama in high school, she performed several times at the Kampen Church. This 19th century relic is where Kathrine recorded most of Eg Er Framand, which includes interpretations of traditional Norwegian folk songs, along with three of her own original songs to the cannon.
When Sylvaine first heard the title track, it hit her like no other song had before. Since then, she's shared "Eg Er Framand" with rapturous audiences everywhere, but this EP is the first time she's captured its magic on record. Each note is held with soft restraint, as if cupped into the palm of her hand, like an offering. Close your eyes and envision her reaching through the trees, into the shadows, as her feet slowly lift off the ground.
To this day, “Dagsens Augo Sloknar” still has mysterious origins, but the lyrics were written in 1891 by Elias Blix, a professor-turned-politician who also wrote hymns. Staying true to the original’s delicate, reverent melody, Sylvaine sings in a breathy, elongated whisper that’s haunting and soothing, like a shadow. But while it opens with just a steady hum of organ, her rendition ends by pulling you into a trance.
Eg Er Framand intimately explores the transient nature of humanity against a steady, familiar backdrop of Scandinavian landscapes. Ascend with Sylvaine into a land before time that feels both ancient and renewed.
Since Eg Er Framand was announced, Kathrine has been revealing its overarching narrative piece by piece. With the album's arrival on YouTube, she's now giving us its final chapter so that we can read the whole story from start to finish.
A beating heart so pure
Who wished to feel once more
As her eyes slowly opened to the world
She lifted her head
And at once beheld
A light in front of her
A path to take
The choice to make
To lead her on her way
A story about to begin
Of a soul ignited again
On a road to turn loose dismay
This guiding light
So strong and bright
Called out for her to follow
For this life
Could lead to strife
If her core she did not shadow
In heavy rags draped
With a spirit that ached
She started moving forward
As she stumbled thru
A dance of hope grew
The motion to leave her untethered
She reached out for the light
Yet darkness did not fight
To be unbroken, the two should marry
For truths she desired to meet
In this she happiness could seek
Releasing the clasp of woe and worry
This world may seem cold
And peace it might not hold
Yet so much beauty she encountered
But only for a moment in time
Does one get to experience this life
Accepting this gift, she no longer suffered
Sylvaine is embarking on her first-ever solo tour this summer. She'll be performing songs from Eg Er Framand on stages across Europe with her new Season of Mist labelmate Eivør.
"I'm so very excited to be heading out on my first-ever solo tour supporting none other than the wonderfully talented Eivør!", Kathrine says. "I'm honored to be sharing the stage with her and her musicians, and can't wait to showcase my music in a different format. It will be an intimate, emotionally heavy ride. October can't come soon enough!"
Get tickets at: eivor.com
In preparation for their tour together, Eivør and Sylvaine put together a playlist of their favorite songs. Get in the mood with some of the choice cuts off Nova and the soundtracks to The Last Kingdom and God of War Ragnarök.
Stream:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7k4ImSEttiL9O6gOQ1tmrn
Kathrine Shepard, the visionary artist behind the evocative musical project SYLVAINE, weaves an intricate tapestry of emotions through the language of music. A transcendental bridge between worlds, a mesmerizing duality that encapsulates the beautiful and the harsh, light and darkness, serenity and chaos, and the delicate balance between the external world and the inner sanctum of the soul. It is a symphony that harmonizes the human experience with its spiritual origins – a resonance of something beyond the tangible.
Sylvaine’s compositions are a visceral journey through the vast spectrum of emotions that the complexities of the human experience have to offer. They encapsulate the inherent struggle of being an entity in this world, yet not entirely of it. Kathrine’s music serves as a conduit for her innermost feelings, a cathartic expression of the eternal longing that resides within the very core of her melodies.
Akin to a fairytale spun from the threads of Norwegian folklore, a narrative that resonates with the spirits of ancient woods and the whispers of long forgotten creatures. With every ethereal note and haunting melody, she conjures images of untamed forests, of misty clearings inhabited by mystical beings. In this artistry, there is an undeniable sense of transcendence, where listeners are transported beyond the confines of the ordinary into a dreamscape where reality and fantasy converge. A profound sense of wonder and allure creates a unique musical alchemy – with a touch of enchantment that lingers long after the music has ceased.
With four albums and one split-EP released to date, Sylvaine’s ethereal soundscapes have been taken to stages across Europe, North America and South America, leaving audiences mesmerized by the transcendent power of the band’s live performances. Two of these albums have been nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Awards Spellemannprisen in the category of metal. The ability to transport listeners to otherworldly realm through her music is a manifestation of the artistry & profound impact the band can bring.
As Sylvaine prepares to unveil her upcoming EP, Eg Er Framand, she embarks on a deeply introspective and serene journey through the rich tapestry of Norwegian heritage and tradition. Folk tales of old are brought to life in this new chapter of her musical odyssey, offering a glimpse into the depths of her creative spirit and an exploration of the roots that anchor her artistry. A reflection of myths is embraced through exquisite sonic realms.
Line-up
Sylvaine - Vocals, Church Organ, Guitars, Synthesizers & Percussion
Recording Studio
Kampen Kirke
Sound Engineer
Sylvaine
Mixing Engineer
Magnus Lindberg (Magnus Lindberg Productions/VRTKL Audio/Redmount Studio)
Mastering Engineer
Karl Daniel Lidén
Biography:Sébastien Gamez
Cover art & Photography:Helena Aguilar Mayans
Layout & Graphic Design: Dehn Sora
Pre-save:
https://orcd.co/egerframand
Pre-order:
https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/sylvaine-eg-er-framand
Links:
Official Website: https://www.sylvainemusic.com/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sylvaine/455094955
Bandcamp: https://sylvainemusic.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sylvainemusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sylvainemusic/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5C9ocrDvsfSz8qcxG70QEe
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/SylvaineMusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoMxOgKpnqGrj-impj1wDQ
Last.FM: https://www.last.fm/music/Sylvaine
Booking Contact:
Alexander Obert - alexander@doomstarbookings.com
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Coke Bottle Green