Released: Monday 11th March
Standing somewhere between neo-impressionism and electronica,
Isnaj Dui (real name Katie English) conveys a minimal yet capturing sound using
electronically manipulated flutes and homemade instruments. She writes of the
Collision/Detection EP:
When trying to
find a starting point for the EP I found that some of the given samples fitted
into quite definite blocks – gloomy, glitchy, plastic, tonal etc. I initially
tried dividing them up, envisaging four tracks based on the general feel of the
samples used.
Then my computer
broke. So I started again.
Having divided
the samples up once again, albeit slightly differently, I assembled a rough
base for each of the tracks, adding flute, bass flute, dulcimer and electronics
to echo or contrast the samples. Some
lent themselves easily to the addition of melodic motifs, others were more
based on the layering of sounds or rhythms.
Many of the samples have been left relatively untouched, save some
cutting and splicing.
Cited as a distinct voice, taking the flute away from its pastoral
image whilst maintaining its unique mellow sound, English has released several
critically acclaimed albums including 2010's Protective Displacement (Rural
Colours) and Unstable Equilibrium (Home Normal, 2009). She has appeared at
venues such as the National Portrait Gallery and Union Chapel in London and has
received extensive play on Radio 3's Late Junction and BBC 6 Music.
As a classically trained flautist, English has also studied
electroacoustic music, alternative tunings and Balinese gamelan. Working
without laptop processing, English uses the pure tones of concert and bass
flutes alongside homemade dulcimers and electronics to create immersive yet
restrained textures that weave in and out of each other.
As well as her solo work, Katie plays in littlebow, The Doomed
Bird of Providence and has collaborated live and on record with Orla Wren,
Hybernation and The Owl Service amongst others.
'Absolutely gorgeous music and a big recommendation for followers
of [Home Normal] and good music everywhere.' – Boomkat
'...an oft-beautiful exercise in sensuous tone-painting that, in
seemingly effortless manner, not only distinguishes itself from the competition
but establishes Isnaj Dui as a distinctive artistic voice.' – Textura
'Deeply inspiring music from a very, very special place' – Nils
Frahm
