Shooting At The Moon
How universal is the language of music? MICHAEL BJÖRN ponders this question as he talks to Irishman James Strain and Dario D’Alessandro, makers of amazingly organic, Canterbury-esque album as LUNOPHONE
Can collaboration happen without direct communication? “I understand written texts a bit, but not much spoken English, so I use a translator,” explains Dario. “But James and I have always understood each other well.” Although never having exchanged a single spoken word, their collaborative activities go back to 2019, when both were involved with American art/prog band Rascal Reporters. One thing led to the other. “Almost for fun, I quickly wrote a song with keyboard and guitar and voice and sent it to James in mid-October 2023,” remembers Dario. And James was equally quick to respond with a composition of his own. “Okay, I’m doing something with Dario,” thought James. “I might want to do something a little more Canterbury and less bizarre than the Rascal Reporters.” These initial compositions open their album, starting with ‘Lunaria’ setting the moon theme. “When thinking about this project, things like minerals, plants and the presence of the moon came to mind,” says Dario. The wordless singing on ‘Cíoch charraige’ then makes one think of Richard Sinclair. “It’s the Irish term for a sea anemone, and the literal translation is ‘rock boob’,” says James. “I just thought it was a funny term.”
As the two take writing turns, the music evolves conversationally. “By our final tracks, we had moved away from where we started,” says James. But with both layering instruments, there is sonic cohesion, and James’ drumming adds rhythmical continuity. “I just love drums to death! I love beats and grooves,” exclaims James, who started his musical career with hip-hop, and picked up his other instrumental skills that way. “I learned how to play guitar and bass through putting them on my beats in that kind of context.” Dario’s vocals further articulate their sound. “We have managed to merge our styles and approaches into something that has its own nature and signature,” says Dario. The unusual singing style is partly a result of their mutual language barrier.
“Some pieces are sung in Italian, others without words or simply naming painters’ names, or even inventing meaningless phonemes, as in the case on ‘Dalbhdha’,” explains Dario. “In Irish that means sorcery,” adds James. “I picked that because
the lyrics are not a real language.” It all adds up to a rather magical album, that manages to convey a profound sense of meaning beyond mere words. Let the music to do the talking!
Surroundings is out now on AltRock
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Mascodagama
Bookmarks