Esben and the Witch: Guest Selector

Brighton-formed, Berlin-based trio Esben and the Witch have made a career out of mapping the sonics of ethereal terrains, but few can match their otherworldly aura with such a heightened sense of menace. As their name suggests, their sound is thoroughly eldritch and drenched in a gothic mysticism that's entirely at odds with their south coast origins: music to soundtrack a spiritual crisis, and richly powerful with it.

Latest album Older Terrors is their most ambitious offering yet; an immersive four-song collection where no piece dips below the ten-minute mark. Here the band tell us about some of the tracks that influenced the record – a bewitching collection, all told.

Built To Spill – Velvet Waltz

[Perfect From Now On, 1997]

Thomas Fisher (guitar): "From an amazing album. I find all the lyrics mysterious and intriguing but when he sings, 'In a world that's not so bad' here, as the guitars swirl around the words, it really resonates. It feels somehow defiant and powerful and inspiring."

Swans – A Piece of the Sky

[The Seer, 2012]

TF: "Emerging from the fire and the drone comes this march towards the light. I've always found this song, lyrically and musically, to stir feelings of hope and optimism; the seemingly endless guitar progression picking me up and carrying me."

Talk Talk – The Rainbow / Eden

[Spirit of Eden, 1988]

TF: "I put these together as they seem utterly inseparable to me. The 'choruses', for want of a better word, feel like surges of light. The dynamics and space of this song are amazing, the way the drums emerge and then dissipate."

Alice Coltrane – Yamuna Tira Vihari

[Turiya Sings, 1982]

Rachel Davies (vocals, bass): "Like a warm bath to soothe aching bones. Throbbing analogue synths, reverb-drenched organs, shimming strings and – of course – Alice's divine mantra weaving throughout. Spiritual in the truest sense of the word."

Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band – Hang on to Each Other

[Horses in the Sky, 2005]

RD: "One of my favourite bands/collectives of all time. I remember seeing this live, cross-legged in front of the altar in a church in Brighton: incredible. A group of people off-mic, singing/warbling/crying, 'Hang on to each other, hang on to any fucking thing you love.' Beautiful."

Grouper – Alien Observer

[A I A : Alien Observer, 2011]

RD: "I adore everything Liz Harris does but this is the song I listen to to calm me down, to feel at peace. I find it so soothing, so beautiful; it's almost transcendent. 'Look into the night sky, look towards the big lights, looking out to be free.'"

Josef Van Wissem – To Lose Yourself Forever is Eternal Happiness

[When Shall This Bright Day Begin, 2016]

RD: "Another blissful song. I love how the picked guitar sparkles, like it's dancing with the ghostly voices that echo and swirl throughout like a lost choir. I think it has a lightness and an innocence to it that I find hope in."

Diane Cluck – Yr Million Sweetnesses

[Oh Vanille / Ova Nil, 2003]

RD: "Diane uses her voice in such an interesting way. Whilst I find a real sadness in this song, I find these lines always jump out at me, and I find them really uplifting: 'I have spent time with unspoiled birds, and generous sunshine that taught me doing nothing / And I do recall that my very best friends are the ones who left me empty and ready to be filled again.'"

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Older Terrors is out now via Season of Mist. Esben and the Witch play Soup Kitchen, Manchester, 21 Feb