A new and curious sound came to me one evening as I was perusing the massive amount of new music (which I tend to do so much), most moments, I cannot remember what I had LIKED and saved to my playlist(s). The sound I heard was via an album titled “Until Liars Fear You” by Duncan Evans (Trepanation Recordings). I had stumbled upon a song titled, “Mouse Mask”, a singular tune that had the cadence of a nursery rhyme and after hearing the first few lines, I realised that yes, this was some type of ‘parody’ (if you will) of “Three Blind Mice”.
After speaking with Mister Evans, he told me the tale he had been challenged, or dared rather, was to write something based on the tune of the never forgotten, but quite sadistic children’s rhyme. When the dare was accepted, it became even more fiendish and untamed. The mice have found themselves in a horrible situation but as he sings, “...they’ve got nothing to lose”. Instead of a nursery rhyme, it becomes a tale of a wild night, and who knows might happen at the end of their “tale”
Duncan Evans is no newbie to the task of writing and performing. A former member of the black metal/avant-garde band ‘A Forest of Stars’, he yearned to explore the world beyond his berth and hone his own writing and vocal skills. With inspirations like Richard Thompson, the dark storyteller and Nick Cave, the equally dark progressive storyteller that can be compared to absolutely no one, it is no surprise that “Until Liars Fear You” boasts some of the unequaled qualities of post-punk and dark folk music.
With the added similar qualities from Javier Wallis (Wilderness Hymnal), the two came together, initially just wanting to do a few tracks because they had admired each others’ work. Wilderness Hymnal, being post-metal with a distinctive electronic drone to the sound, the two complemented each other with their different yet quite interchangeable sounds. Therefore, one track turned into the tremendous split album that exists today. What is an especially curious fact is that Mister Evans, on a peculiar whim, used social media and asked his fans whom he should team up with for some songs or possibly an album; some fans were adamant about Wilderness Hymnal, thinking both artists would not just complement each other but bring out extraordinary qualities as musicians in each other. For once, social media was used as a tool for something remarkable.
“Breath” is an incredible song on the album; with its’ mix of electronica and morose vibes, it is one of Mister Evans’ best vocal performances. As he explained why he called it “Breath” and not “Breathe” (even though both words are repeated and reasonably, the human brain would expect to be see “Breathe” as the title, he decided that the word breathe was just too harsh, “like when someone sits you down, yells and tells you to BREATHE!! BREATHE!! It seemed more fitting to use “Breath” as the title, as the song is about wanting someone to leave their maniacal world for a while, just sit and take a BREATH”, he states. It is a hauntingly pleasing song; the melancholy candour is relaxing and a little depressing all in 2 minutes and 38 seconds. It is a song that makes one want to forget about all of the messiness of the world and their own particular messes, even if it for a lowly moment.
This album is merely a segue into the next phase of Mister Evans’ newfound solo career; he hopes to have a full-length album by 2023 and I am positive that this is a goal that he will have no difficulty achieving. He is hungry for the stage and the time to present to the world that he (as much of an exceptional guitarist he is) is much more than that, and has something to say. The creative mind is one that is so unequaled; a mind that must be cultivated and stimulated at once, the resting period never comes; the creative mind is one that is akin to a wheel, forever spinning and with each turn, the ideas fly off like fireworks, exploding in the sky. The creative artist must then bring them down and mould them into the shape of their soul. This is only the beginning of fireworks we will enjoy with wonder from Duncan Evans; I am already sitting on the lawn enjoying the show and waiting for the next display.
Words by Marisa Dymond
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