LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Green Light Go) There's a sense of searching and mystery nestled in the music of Owls of the Swamp, the atmospheric indie-folk project of Australian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Pete Uhlenbruch. Characterised by distinctive guitar fingerpicking, earthy vocals, heartfelt arrangements and a natural ear for melody, Uhlenbruch's latest LP offering Go with River (2011) earned respect as 'one of the sleeper hits of the year' (Timber and Steel, 2011) and 'new folk music at its best' (Sony Ericsson
Music Blogger, 2011).
His latest project has him working with special guest Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season) and Greenhouse Studio's Sturla Mio Thorisson. The as-yet-unreleased single suggests the new musical territory Uhlenbruch is exploring on the album he's currently recording in Europe.
There is no doubt that location has played an influential role in the development of Uhlenbruch's sound. His debut, Smoky Bay (2007), was an ambitious concept album that sought to capture the strange coincidences, connections and charismatic characters that shaped his experience living in Iceland. Uhlenbruch's deeply embedded Wanderlust has also led him to perform extensively throughout Australia, Germany, Iceland, the UK, Poland and the Czech Republic. His arresting yet personal live performances have led to tours with artists such as ZamboSi (CZ), Myrra Rós (IS) and Svavar Knútur (IS) as well as supports for notable acts such as Machine Translations (AU),
Old Man River (AU) the Paradise Motel (AU) and
Jens Lekman (SE).
In 2007, Uhlenbruch started a small weekend cafe music festival in Australia called Melodica that was aimed at simply bringing artists together to help foster a sense of community. The concept moved quickly through his personal network of passionate musician friends and flourished into an authentic international community of non-profit and artist-run Melodica festivals, now bringing songwriters together in seven countries. Uhlenbruch's deep involvement in the development of the festival network has allowed him the unique opportunity to engage with a diverse variety of music cultures. This unexpected journey has enriched his own music career, allowing him to network with like-minded artists whilst reaching new audiences in cities all around the world.
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Praise for Owls of the Swamp:
"Owls of the Swamp's second album "Go with River" is the kind of music you can get lost in. "Go with River is an impressive album that stands out from the others in an already overcrowded genre." - Electric Skeleton
"Gliding into your consciousness via some beautifully heartfelt folk arrangements, Owls of the Swamp delivers a stunning album with "Go with River". The finished product is a real treat for the soul to listen to. New folk music at its best. Masterful finger plucking balanced with warm, captivating story telling." - Sony Ericsson
Music Blogger
"An exercise in ethereal melody drive folk, "Go with River" may well be one of the sleeper hits of the year - the type of album you stumble across and go 'why don't more people know about this'?"
- Timber and Steel
"Uhlenbruch's delicate finger picking and pure vocals had me sold after just one listen. So for those of you who enjoy the likes of Nick
Drake or Justin Vernon, Owls of the Swamp is a must listen." -This Bonus Track
