The Troubadour

To say Ember Swift’s new project entitled “Lentic” is a case where East meets West may be a cliché, but there is nothing stale about this bold and beautiful project. In fact. Lentic is a refreshing step in a new direction –  electronic music meets folk – and is truly a sonic representation of two countries: China and Canada. This “folktronica” project is both organic (acoustic and traditional) and electronic (beats and grooves). Lentic features Chinese instrumentation (specifically the guzheng), lyrics in both Mandarin and English, and, consistent with Ember Swift’s musical outpourings, several tips of the hat to diverse styles and musical eras within the arrangements. Lentic truly reflects a new global reality of cultural exchange, and particularly China, a country that embodies the collision between East and West, ancient and modern.

Working with producer Tim Rideout of FibiiSonic Studio in Montreal while she was living in Beijing, Ember’s exploration of her newly adopted country is reflected in her investigation of genuinely new musical forms. The result is a highly original blend that contains elements that will be familiar and eye-opening to both Eastern and Western listeners. Ember’s signature voice singing in English and Mandarin provides the link that ties and unifies the songs together.

Well known as an articulate and frequently topical songwriter, Ember lets Lentic’s music do the talking more than on any of her other nine recordings. The whole body of work is a bold statement: an expression of cross-cultural dialogue and exchange, something that is more and more necessary in these changing times. That’s not to say the lyrics in Lentic are devoid of substance. Quite the contrary. The songs cover territory as vast as the two countries she calls home, from the suicide of a good friend (What Were You Thinking) to a love song to China (So Nice) to the prospect of human extinction as part of the evolution of the planet (Hollowed Bones). However, in a song such as That’s Right / Jiu Shi, the trippy music creates a contemporary platform on which the entrance of the traditional guzheng, crunchy rock guitar and Ember’s shimmering jazzy vocals sit comfortably and naturally together as though all of their differences are exactly the reason for their harmony. Top this off with a  Zen expression of minimalist lyrics: “This is exactly the kind of music…..this is exactly who I am” and  the effect contextualizes Ember’s voice (and lyrics) as an instrument that is but one part (albeit a key part) of the aural portrait Lentic paints.

In a world of musical clichés, Lentic is exactly the kind of music that rewards discerning fans, and Ember Swift remains exactly who she is:  an extraordinary artist producing extraordinary work.

Ember will be bringing her new project, along with new band, to present LENTIC for the first time to her Australian fans.

Having accepted the invitation to return to Woodford Folk Festival and Peats Ridge Festival, Ember / Lentic will be touring Australia’s East Coast throughout January 2010.