We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Castings

by Fern Knight

supported by
michael salmons
michael salmons thumbnail
michael salmons This band does such a wonderful job of balancing psych / acid jam and eastern europe/middle eastern-style follkways. Long Dark Century insinuates and swirls and builds to an intense climax that makes it one of my fave songs of the year. And their cover of the classic King Crimson tune Epitaph is just wonderful. Highly recommended. Favorite track: 04 - Long Dark Century.
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Castings via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Castings via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      $25 USD or more 

     

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
08 - Epitaph 08:14
9.

about

With its fourth album Castings, Fern Knight has woven an uncommon sound from far-flung musical roots that's neither freakish folk nor stoner drone. Under classically trained cellist/guitarist/vocalist Margaret Ayre’s unwavering direction, this Philadelphian quartet continues to color her tightly arranged, smartly produced songs with such delightfully arcane influences as Eduardo Bort's symphonic art-rock, Sourdeline's progressive folk and old-school metal riffery (horns up!) gracefully. This distinctively elegant sound, coupled with the imagination and integrity of Ayre’s songwriting renders Fern Knight peerless in this age.

The lyrical imagery on Castings explores the well-worn memes and archetypes of the Tarot, looking both to the past and the future and notes the disparity between the high promises technology makes consumers and the actual vapidity of modern life. “Cups and Wands” pits two of the suits of the Tarot deck against each other as passivity [cups] vs. action [Wands]. The desire of forward motion when feeling stuck in a situation reverberates in the choruses: “It’s suffocating, so supplicating;” this reflects the polarity expressed in these suits and of the modern predicament. “From Zero to Infinity” chronicles the transformation of the Fool archetype into the Magician, and how this template -- when played out in our modern-day society -- has a dichotomous effect: both good and ill.

Musically the songs on Castings reflect the lyrics’ themes and also the environment in which they were recorded -- a gothic mansion in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania. Fuzz bass and full drum kit form solid foundations for Ayre’s creative arrangements; dark, lush bowed strings bump up against imposing harp flourishes; her voice is the crowning jewel in every case.

credits

released May 30, 2021

Margaret Ayre - Vocals, Cello, Acoustic Guitar
Jesse Sparhawk - Harp, Electric Bass, Drums, Electric Guitar, Vocals
Jim Ayre - Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Vocals
James Wolf - Violin
All songs written by Margaret Ayre (BMI, Goats and Wolves)
Except for "Epitaph": words and music composed by Fripp-Giles-Lake-McDonald-Sinfield (Universal Music/EG Music Ltd)
Co-produced by Margaret and Jim Ayre
Recorded by Jim Ayre
Assisted by Geoff Bucknum
Recorded at Buckshot Manor, January 2009
Mixed by Alan Ford
Mastered at Salt Mastering
"Long Dark Century" recorded at OASTEM! Vibe Studios, January 2010
Art and design by Derek Moench
Cover photos by Derek Moench
Band photo by Geoff Bucknum
Brass and winds on "Cave of Swords" played by Jon Natchez

Special Thanks: Geoff Bucknum, Rosali Middleman, Derek Moench, Eric Carbonara, Scott Wells, Evan Wells, David Chadwick, Amy and Howard Wuelfing, Thelesis Lodge, and Bill Kellum

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Fern Knight Washington D.C., D.C.

Fern Knight weaves an uncommon sound from far-flung musical roots. Under classically trained cellist/guitarist/vocalist Margaret Ayre's unwavering direction, this DC quartet continues to gracefully color her tightly arranged, smartly produced songs with echos of British folk leanings in the manner of The Strawbs, Sourdeline's trad-folk and old-school riffage in the vein of cult-rockers Asgard. ... more

contact / help

Contact Fern Knight

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Fern Knight recommends:

If you like Fern Knight, you may also like: