Wasyluk Andrew: The Paralian

Andrew Wasylyk is the alias of Scottish writer producer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Mitchell. In 2018 Andrew was extended a residency invite from arts centre and historic house Hospitalfield Arbroath Scotland to create new music for their restored 19th century Erard Grecian harp. During Wasylyks five-month sojourn he created melodies and progressions echoing the buildings unique relationship with the looming North Sea horizon. Using not only the harp but the houses original grand piano Andrew explored the Angus landscape and beyond gathering field recordings on trips to neighbouring Seaton Cliffs and Bell Rock Lighthouse the worlds oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse. Winter slipped into spring and harp-led compositions gave way to an ambitious third full-length album exploring a range of themes utilising a broad palette of instrumentation including flugelhorn euphonium oboe string trio vintage synthesisers drones and upright piano. From the wandering Bob James-esque Fender Rhodes and shimmering strings in the study of coastal light Welter In The Haar to the plaintive brass and farewell transmission blowing through Adrift Below A Constellation punctuated by the fragility of Wasylyks sole lead vocal of this collection - The Paralian a dweller by the sea is a conclusion embued with blue and golden melodies that land in a territory akin to experimentalists such as Robert Wyatt and Brian Eno. Through which Wasylyk weaves the listener along a Modern-classical Ambient and Jazz dream of Scotlands east coast. Athens Of The North team were stunned by the luminous beauty and creativity at play in this work. Falling between genres and time it stands next to 60s British Jazz effortlessly blending notes of Library and soundtracks with dashes of British Folk.

H 0.19
W 12.32
L 12.35