All Black Horses Came Thundering
In stark contrast to the solo-oriented, densely constructed and detail-focused ‘Wild and Bitter Fruits’, ‘All Black Horses Came Thundering’ is recorded live and consists solely of first takes: In an attempt to capture the living breath of musicians interacting together in the moment, giving space to musical fragility, interpretative freedom and all the so-called ‘mistakes’ that follows. The compositions are written by Nikolaj Bruus on acoustic guitar, and then re-worked, re-arranged and accompanied with the help of the ‘chamber-version’ of Quiet Sonia, consisting of violin, double bass, grand piano, organ and vocals. In many ways, ABHCT is an exercise in minimalism: To allow each tone a certain weight and meaning, to leave room for thought and interpretation, to open up a less interruptive musical space for existence.
listen to All Black Horses Came Thundering
The musical expression is at the same time spherical, sensitive and melancholic, confronting, brutal and starkly realistic. The lyrics are a blend of diary notes, conversations with loved ones and cut up poetry, and concern basic human topics such as friendship, family, love, mental illness and identity.
‘All Black Horses Came Thundering’ is an attempt to capture something warm and organic while giving space to the unfinished, the fleeting, the fragile. Among our inspirations for this project is Talk Talk’s late albums, ECM jazz albums, different kinds of ambient and American Primitivism heroes such as Robbie Basho and James Blackshaw
LYRICS
In My Arms Many Flowers
Blackout as April under the stream of stars. Butterflies at construction
sites. Crawl, sister. Mother, I can barely see. Faceless when it rains.
Shatter window panes. For heaven’s sake. Look out where yr going.
You’re broke and very brave and I believe in you.
Just a few more days. While we wait for a miracle. Now everything’s
supposed to be quiet. And in my arms, many flowers.
Fragments
You know, i just had the feeling
that we’re wasting our Saturday
you bring the whisky
i’ve got the beers
now come to my place …
you just saw your ex-girl
with a new guy
affront your window
at the hill.
… has she forgotten where i live?
now it’s gonna rain for three days!
man, it’s wild
he just jumped on the train
don’t wanna let him down now —
gonna have a goooood time
just write to say i’m sorry
‘bout the other night
for a while there
it just seemed i couldn’t
look myself into the eyes.
you always wondered whether
she was sensitive, stupid
or a sadist…?
god, they held each others hands
god, i see her all around
sitting in the grass
sitting in the sun
missing your company
has it been so long
u said
the only thing we do whole-heartedly
is to get drunk
I said:
“the games you can’t face in daylight
you won’t win
when the lights are out”
do you also feel ashamed
feel the guilt
the fear of wasting
time
time
time
but who’s there to punish you
for your missteps?
I feel sick
tired, weak
don’t know if it’s real
or i’m just imagining it