Evening Hymns
Jonas Bonnetta returns with his sophomore album under new name ‘Evening Hymns’. The alternative folk pop record is beautifully crafted with soundscapes and field recordings. Appealing to fans of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Cheek Mountain Thief and The Wilderness Of Manitoba.
The follow-up album ‘Spectral Dusk’ serves as a chronicle to the tragedy of losing a loved one, a celebration of life and the ways we connect on basic human level - something that is explored through Bonnetta’s loss of his father.
Beginning in mono with gentle whirring electronics, Bonnetta transports the listener into his world with vocals similar to Bon Iver’s ‘Creature Fear’.
‘Arrows’ dramatically awakens the spirit through pounding somber percussion that’s complimented by piano and captures the notion of 'singing hymns to call someone in'.
‘Family Tree’ explores the notion of severing ties with relatives and the restraints of traditional family structures that echoes Josh T Pearson’s ‘Country Dumb’.
Inspired by a wild wintery night at a cabin, ‘Cabin In The Burn’ provides a lonesome disconsolate thread that achieves some of the darkest vulnerable moments of the record.
Elsewhere ‘Asleep In The Pews’ opens with a gentle organ drone that resonates through the gentle guitar picking. The melancholic trumpet is adorned with uplifting strings that adds an orchestral quality.
‘Irving Lake Access Road’ goes back in time to a place that was frequently visited during their lives together. A solemn instrumental soundscape is filled with gentle drones and strings akin to Sigur Ros which prepares the listener for the tear jerking yet cathartic ‘Song To Sleep To’.
At the point of reflecting on your own morality, the album finishes with ‘Spectral Dusk’ a poignant letter penned to his father that contains another field recording from ‘The Burn’.
Recorded in a log cabin in Northern Ontario, ‘Spectral Dusk’, like with debut ‘Spirit Guides’, was recorded out of the studio with the intention of bringing with it human reference. The warm and ambient tone of the record is often set by the cracking of fires and the popping of ice in bourbon.
Bonnetta himself says he wanted to create "spaces for reflection, rather than bombarding the listener simply with eleven crisp songs. This is an important element of listening to music, which is now missing on most boards much. I often miss the opportunity of a mental escape."
Produced by James Bunton known for his work on The Wooden Sky’s ‘Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun’, The Acorn (Bella Union / Last Gang Records) and Diamond Rings.
Evening Hymns are Jonas Bonnetta and a rotating collective of musicians which includes members of Ohbijou, The Wooden Sky, The Burning Hell, The D'Urbervilles and Forest City Lovers.
Having recently completed European tours with Timber Timbre and Agnes Obel, 2013 sees their return to our shores. Evening Hymns have performed at festivals Reeperbahn, Pop Montreal, Rolling Stone, Transmusicales and Rennes.
Other projects from Jonas include ‘Asterion’ with soundscape experimentalist and Canadian composer R Murray Schafer.