Folk duo Gabbarein have released their new single, Ra Rising Sun. We asked Cecilie Hafstad and Christopher Bono the BIG questions . . .
Gabbarein are Norwegian vocalist and `sound healer' Cecilie and American composer-producer Christopher, who record their music at the Arctic Circle.
Their self-titled, full-length debut album is scheduled for release on 29 March and is available for pre-order from their label, Our Silent Canvas, now. oursilentcanvasstore.org.
Ra Rising Sun, was born from one of the first improvisational sessions on the Fjord in Lyngen, Norway. "This track is probably my personal favourite on the album; it represents something ancient, something ancestral, something beyond words," says Christopher.
"In fact, I think it is the track that best reflects our style, displaying the arc of gentleness to intensity that is a defining character of the album."
Cecilie adds, "The track is sung in a channelled 'language' that I do not consciously understand but that made perfect sense to me when I sang and created the track."
The origins of Gabbarein go back to 2011 when the pair first met at a Shamanic sound-healing retreat in Vermont and began collaborating on projects like NOUS and Ghost Against Ghost.
They decided to call their project Gabberein, which means 'holy reindeer’ in the Sámi language.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Cecilie: I love India and travel there often. I live in an artist community in Sweden. Even though I'm very outgoing, I'm extremely shy.
Christopher: Intense, Buddhist, disciplined.
How would you describe your music?
Cecilie: It's a mix of rock, ambient, electronica and shamanic vibes with a touch of sound healing. It's a very unique sound and hard to compare and describe.
Christopher: Shamanic, channelled, tuning into something ancient.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Cecilie: Massive Attack, Slowdive, Mazzy Star, Orbital.
Christopher: At the present moment: Bach, Stravinsky, Dylan, Beatles, Pink Floyd, Radiohead.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Cecilie: Duran Duran in Drammenshallen, Norway. I was 12 years old and obsessed with Simon Le Bon
Christiopher: Ha! Jimmy Buffet I think, I grew up in Florida.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Cecilie: Madonna - Who’s That Girl? remix on vinyl
Christopher: Can’t remember, probably Michael Jackson.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Cecilie: Wolf by a Swedish group called Holey Tree.
Christopher: Shed that Fear - Nourished by Time.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Cecilie: Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.
Christopher: Is always shifting for me. These days, Bob Dylan’s Masters of War. "Come you masters of war, You that build the big guns, You that build the death planes, You that build all the bombs, You that hide behind walls, You that hide behind desks, I just want you to know, I can see through your masks."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cecilie: Angel by Massive Attack.
Christopher: Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Here.
Alan Corr
