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We Were the Moon

Eskina

We Were the Moon

Price: € 19.95
Format: CD
Label: Challenge Records
UPC: 0608917352221
Catnr: CR 73522
Release date: 08 October 2021
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Label
Challenge Records
UPC
0608917352221
Catalogue number
CR 73522
Release date
08 October 2021

"It's ten ambient oriental pieces have very strong roots of chamber music, with a dominent chello and viola used effectively throughout, and by shifting through arrangements with slight overtones of prog and plenty of massive soundtrack-like moods, the musicians create something that's both rich and rewarding."

Real Gone, 17-12-2021
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Artist(s)
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About the album

Eskina is a unique instrumental band led by guitarist Merel van Hoek from The Hague. In 2018 they reached the quarter-finals of De Grote Prijs van Nederland, where they delighted the audience and the jury with their sensitive and emotional aesthetics that combine the genres of pop and neoclassical music.

The hauntingly delicate symphonic compositions and the unique instrumentation conjure up soundscapes that call-to-mind influences from the minimalist Philip Glass to the British alt-rock titans Radiohead. Songs that take you into the world of shady forests and intimate log fires.

Their first single "At the End of The Sea" was released in 2017 by the renowned American record label Candyrat Records. Eskina explores the transition from classical to pop by mixing chamber music strings and guitar with evocative electronics. This characteristic combination became the basis of their upcoming album "We Were the Moon", a collaboration with guest artist Maarten Vos, which will be released in October 2021 on Challenge Records.

Eskina is een unieke band geleid door de Haagse gitarist Merel van Hoek met een verfrissend en spannend eigen geluid. Een geluid waarin de invloeden van Radiohead, Tamino en Olafur Arnalds te horen zijn. Met name de combinatie van instrumenten, een esthetische versmelting van gitaar, lage strijkers, drums, bas en electronics, trok de aandacht van de jury en het publiek van de Grote Prijs van Nederland in 2018.

'We were the moon' is een album met tedere sfeervolle composities die gaan over emoties, donker en licht en een ode aan de liefde ademen. Nummers die je meenemen naar schaduwrijke bossen en onverwachte plekken. De samenwerking met gast artiest Maarten Vos geeft dit album een eigentijdse klank. Vos transformeert traditionele instrumentatie in een verkenning van de combinatie met synthesizer sounds.

Merel Van Hoek componeert/arrangeert alle muziek voor Eskina. In haar composities is haar uitgangspunt altijd melodie. Haar muziek - bijna popmuziek achtig- zijn dromerige melodieën en tegelijkertijd zeer doordachte composities.
Eskina ist eine einzigartige Instrumentalband unter der Leitung des Gitarristen Merel van Hoek aus Den Haag. Im Jahr 2018 erreichten sie das Viertelfinale von De Grote Prijs van Nederland, wo sie das Publikum und die Jury mit ihrer einfühlsamen und emotionalen Ästhetik, die die Genres Pop und Neoklassik verbindet, begeisterten.

Die eindringlich-zarten symphonischen Kompositionen und die einzigartige Instrumentierung zaubern Klanglandschaften, die Einflüsse vom Minimalisten Philip Glass bis zu den britischen Alt-Rock-Titanen Radiohead heraufbeschwören. Songs, die einen in die Welt schattiger Wälder und intimer Kaminfeuer entführen.

Ihre erste Single "At the End of The Sea" wurde 2017 von dem renommierten amerikanischen Plattenlabel Candyrat Records veröffentlicht. Eskina erforscht den Übergang von der Klassik zum Pop, indem sie kammermusikalische Streicher und Gitarre mit beschwörender Elektronik mischt. Diese charakteristische Kombination wurde zur Grundlage ihres kommenden Albums "We Were the Moon", einer Zusammenarbeit mit dem Gastkünstler Maarten Vos, das im Oktober 2021 bei Challenge Records veröffentlicht wird.

Artist(s)

Eskina

Eskina is a one of a kind instrumental band led by guitarist Merel van Hoek from The Hague. In 2018 they reached the quarter finals of De Grote Prijs van Nederland where they wowed the audience and jury with their heart felt and soulful aesthetic fusing pop and neo-classical genres. The hauntingly delicate symphonic compositions and the singular instrumentation conjure soundscapes evoking influences ranging from minimalist Philip Glass to British alt rock titans Radiohead. Songs that transport you to worlds of shaded forests and intimate evening firesides.​ Their first single ‘At the End of The Sea’ was released in 2017 by the renowned American record label Candyrat Records. Eskina explores the crossover from classical to pop by mixing chamber strings and guitar...
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Eskina is a one of a kind instrumental band led by guitarist Merel van Hoek from The Hague. In 2018 they reached the quarter finals of De Grote Prijs van Nederland where they wowed the audience and jury with their heart felt and soulful aesthetic fusing pop and neo-classical genres.

The hauntingly delicate symphonic compositions and the singular instrumentation conjure soundscapes evoking influences ranging from minimalist Philip Glass to British alt rock titans Radiohead. Songs that transport you to worlds of shaded forests and intimate evening firesides.​

Their first single ‘At the End of The Sea’ was released in 2017 by the renowned American record label Candyrat Records. Eskina explores the crossover from classical to pop by mixing chamber strings and guitar with evocative electronics. This signature combination became the foundation of their upcoming album: ‘We Were the Moon’, a collaboration with guest artist Maarten Vos and releasing with Challenge Records October 2021.

​Line-up Merel van Hoek (guitar/compositions) Kellen McDaniel (viola) Berber Heerema (violoncello) Joop de Graaf (bass) Mischa Porte (drums & percussion)


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Berber Heerema (violoncello)

Mischa Porte (drums)

Composer(s)

Press

It's ten ambient oriental pieces have very strong roots of chamber music, with a dominent chello and viola used effectively throughout, and by shifting through arrangements with slight overtones of prog and plenty of massive soundtrack-like moods, the musicians create something that's both rich and rewarding.
Real Gone, 17-12-2021

Eskina is a special appearance in the musical landscape, a quintet that is difficult to pin down (...) This is pop, but also jazz and folk and there are influences of ambient and neo classical.
Nieuwe Noten, 26-11-2021

A beautiful sound with intriguing songs and fantastic musicians. Well worth a listen.
The Next Gig, 31-10-2021

... Guitarist and bandleader Merle van Hoek uses besides bass and drums namely a cello and a viola... The result is an enchanted instrumental pop, in which Kellen McDaniel on viola and cellist Berber Heerema often take the melodic lead...
Jazzthing, 27-10-2021

Rarely have I listened to an album that makes such an impression because of its inspiring sincerity. We Were the Moon by Eskina could very well become the world, jazz or pop album of 2021. Really splendid music!
Music Frames, 26-10-2021

On the recently released We Were The Moon, Eskina has found a nice middle ground in the border area between classical chamber music and atmospheric pop.
Nederlands Dagblad, 11-10-2021

Very beautiful music, but probably only really for the listener with a broad vision and ear for a classical orchestration, unfortunately.
Rootstime, 01-10-2021

Play album Play album

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