Erland Cooper – Shalder (Video Premiere)
Erland Cooper (The Magnetic North) shares the Orkney-shot video for the second single from his fantastic new ambient project
Former Magnetic North frontman Erland Cooper's new solo project represents a return to his Orkney roots. The sound blends elements of ambient, electronic and modern classical into a gentle, calming whole that reflects Orkney's cultural heritage and its Nordic links. The end result is reminiscent of work by Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm and some of Sigur Ros' quieter output, full of delicate piano motifs and sweeping strings.
We're delighted to give you the first look at the video for Shalder, the second single from Cooper's new project. The clip was shot on Orkney by filmmaker Alex Kozobolis, with Cooper telling us that Kozobolis also grabbed some photos of him "while sheltering from gale force winds in a RSPB bird hide."
Explaining the story behind the track, Cooper says: "Shalder is the local Orcadian dialect for the Oystercatcher; other [names] include the Skolder, Cholder, Chaldro, Skeldro, Scottie & Sea Pie! It’s a stocky, wader bird with a long, orange bill and pinkish legs. I recall sitting on the bench at the Bay of Skaill watching them scoot around like kids with a football, kicking up the sand in search of cockles & muscles. I often reflect on that if I’m sat on the London underground.
"This work features ambient guitar from renowned guitarist, Leo Abrahams and features a delicate performance on the Norwegian Hardanger violin by Charlotte Greenhow. It’s a beautiful, ornate instrument with additional resonating or ‘ringing’ strings that sit underneath the others, creating a darker tone and drone, especially when played really slowly and really quietly."
Shalder is out on 26 Jan via Phases Records