Rhoneil

RHONEIL
Seeds
(Independent)
It’s hard not to think of CocoRosie when listening to the debut LP of Edmonton-born (in a parking lot, supposedly) and raised singer/ songwriter/wood fairy Rhoneil Eurchuk. Her music is eerie folk, inspired by nature, with guest vocals provided by “forest ghosts” on this album, self-described as “anti-folk.” Who cares what that means, because Rhoneil is on the endearingly weird side of things, releasing videos in which bunnies hop around her while she plays the ukulele and sings about a train going nowhere. 8/10 Trial Track: “Live Outside” (Shawn Thompson) - Montreal Mirror

For the week ending January 24th, 2012. - CKDU

For the week ending January 31st, 2012. - CFMU

For the week ending January 31st, 2012. - CFMU

For the week ending January 31st, 2012. - CFRC

For the week ending Janurary 17, 2012. - CFRC

For the week ending February 21st, 2012. - CHUO

For the week ending February 21st, 2012. - CHUO

For the week ending February 14, 2012. - CHUO

For the week ending February 14, 2012. - CHUO

For the week ending January 31st, 2012. - CFUV

For the week ending January 24th, 2012. - CFUV

For the week ending January 24th, 2012. - CFUV

Nelson is full of talented musicians, with an astounding amount of styles represented for such a small city in the mountains. One such artist is Rhoneil, who released her new album “Seeds’ September”.

Self-described as “anti-folk”, the album has many rootsy styles, juxtaposed with samples and modern instrumentation. Ukuleles and banjos strum beneath David Attenborough sound bites and distorted bass lines, twittering bird and rainfall samples weave through gentle guitar figures. Instead of being a jumbled mess, the album has real continuity and flow; Rhoneil’s inspiration from our landscape is obvious, and her interesting voice acts as a grounding constant throughout. The album’s production also helps the overall vibe, spacious and grainy without being too low-fidelity.

Rhoneil opens for B.A. Johnsten October 17th at The Royal, and I’ll definitely be going early to see what she brings to a live setting.

Her album can be purchased at http://rhoneil.bandcamp.com - Kootenay Quickshot

Rhoneil hits it out of the park on her debut album entitled Seeds. It's an ambient freak-folk album with fragile songs, composed mostly on crisp strings. The songs feature a delicate voice that's wispy but powerful and capable of sending chills down your spine. Indeed, it has an almost gothic quality to it like you might find in a band like Ghost Bees or Cocorosie.

Nature plays an important role on Seeds in both sound and lyricism. On many of the songs, including the majority of "Rain," you'll find field recordings of things like storms, crickets and birds. Snuck in between haunting melodies are tweets and the rushes of winds. Even Rhoneil's album art depicts nature with babies in seedpods and flowers sprouting from their mouths.

The lyricism is profound and dark. Rhoneil manages to shape some deep, complex and powerful stories with metaphors of the natural world. Furthermore, with songs about ghosts and devils there are obviously some pretty dark stories that shaped this album and she uses these experiences to create vibrant and honest poetry. She twists the story around as to not reveal the true tale, a feat that is accomplished quite well without coming across contrived or trying.

At only the third song on the album entitled "Just Right Now" you can hear the culmination of Rhoneil's passion and songwriting prowess. Various sounds play together in a slightly syncopated style while harmonies and dirging choirs trill out from the building storm. Timing is perfect.

Like so many good albums Seeds ends too soon, leaving you wanting more. There's good news though. Rhoneil will be working on a new album in 2012. While different life experiences may shape the upcoming release, there's no doubt that the output will have an astounding sound with deep introspection and creativity.

By Kat Dornian
Jan 18, 2012 - !Earshot

Rhoneil hits it out of the park on her debut album entitled Seeds. It's an ambient freak-folk album with fragile songs, composed mostly on crisp strings. The songs feature a delicate voice that's wispy but powerful and capable of sending chills down your spine. Indeed, it has an almost gothic quality to it like you might find in a band like Ghost Bees or Cocorosie.

Nature plays an important role on Seeds in both sound and lyricism. On many of the songs, including the majority of "Rain," you'll find field recordings of things like storms, crickets and birds. Snuck in between haunting melodies are tweets and the rushes of winds. Even Rhoneil's album art depicts nature with babies in seedpods and flowers sprouting from their mouths.

The lyricism is profound and dark. Rhoneil manages to shape some deep, complex and powerful stories with metaphors of the natural world. Furthermore, with songs about ghosts and devils there are obviously some pretty dark stories that shaped this album and she uses these experiences to create vibrant and honest poetry. She twists the story around as to not reveal the true tale, a feat that is accomplished quite well without coming across contrived or trying.

At only the third song on the album entitled "Just Right Now" you can hear the culmination of Rhoneil's passion and songwriting prowess. Various sounds play together in a slightly syncopated style while harmonies and dirging choirs trill out from the building storm. Timing is perfect.

Like so many good albums Seeds ends too soon, leaving you wanting more. There's good news though. Rhoneil will be working on a new album in 2012. While different life experiences may shape the upcoming release, there's no doubt that the output will have an astounding sound with deep introspection and creativity.

By Kat Dornian
Jan 18, 2012 - !Earshot

N.F. Nelson - N.F. Nelson, BC Reviewer

N.F. Nelson - N.F. Nelson, BC Reviewer

Marjie Francis - Marjie Francis Design

Marjie Francis - Marjie Francis Design