Redmond, Gareth Quinn: Umcheol LP

WRWTFWW Records announce a brand new album by Irish producer Gareth Quinn Redmond, following his amazing Satoshi Ashikawa-inspired Laistigh den Ghleo released in 2019 (WRWTFWW 039CD/LP). Umcheol, his ambient-meets-Irish-traditional-music soundscape comes in a 350gsm gatefold sleeve with a superb triptych of paintings by Irish artist Conor Campbell. A splendid pairing of Irish folk instruments (harp, tin whistle, fiddle, harmonium) with synthesizers, Umcheol tells the tragic yet beautiful tale of two legendary figures of Irish mythology, Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad. The 40+ minute ambient narrative is a subtle and touching alliance of past and present, tradition re-contextualized and retold with a modern approach. Gareth Quinn Redmond explains: "For the longest time, I have desired to blend elements of both ambient and Irish traditional music. Umcheol -- Cú Chulainn agus Ferdiad, is the first in a series of works that seeks to coalesce these two palettes of sound. The primary focus of this album was to begin using traditional instruments such as the harp, tin whistle, fiddle and even the harmonium, which in recent times has become commonly used in Irish folk music. By pairing these instruments with synthesizers, I hope to create a soundscape that gives new agency for the stories of my culture to be realized and retold." Very personal and delicately visceral, Umcheol is a contemplative journey that will resonate with fans of Japanese environmental music, minimalism, folk experimentations, and mythological soundtracks. For fans of ambient, Irish folk music and history, minimalism, synth, Satoshi Ashikawa, Midori Takada, Brian Eno, beautiful paintings, single LPs in gatefold sleeves, well hidden treasures. Edition of 500.