Captured live as it appears on the CD, Molenstraat was recorded between sunset and dawn on a single night from an apartment on Molenstraat in The Hague. Representing a sequence of gently unfolding soundscapes, Molenstraat is the first in a series of collaborative projects in H/S Recordings’ H=S series. The aim of the series is to bring together musicians of differing backgrounds – in this case Erik T’Sas and Matthew Florianz – to collaborate on a musical work in a live, improvised or studio environment.
Both T’Sas and Florianz are skilled purveyors of emotive atmosphere, often recording or improvising music live and committing the finished work to CD for release. Molenstraat is just such a project, recorded through the night as darkness falls through to when light slowly returns, the album captures the mood and ambience of the scene perfectly. Slowly and deliberately each track unfolds, gradually painting a picture of the surroundings. Add to this field recordings from the actual street itself capturing life as it happens and Molenstraat provides a snapshot of a night in the life of an unnamed person living on a street in The Hague. So thought provoking are these tracks that the listener can imagine themself standing at the window of the apartment glass in hand, bathed in moonlight and deep in thought watching the street below as the time passes.
Reflecting the slow onset of night each track subtly shifts in mood, starting quite light and optimistic then becoming increasingly solemn through the night before lightening again with the arrival of dawn. “Molenstraat 16:30” opens the CD with the sound of voices, traffic and general activity from the street with a poignant piano motif and gentle dream-like drifting synth backdrop. People go about their business and return to their homes before night falls. “Molenstraat 17:42” is altogether darker and more reflective, the activity and noise from the street outside almost gone and night has arrived. With “Molenstraat 19:28” the mood switches to regret and then anger, a keyboard tone being prominent, the odd piano key reflecting sadness and a slow industrial grind illustrating anger. “Molenstraat 22:52” is the shortest track on the album – clocking in at about a minute and a half – but represents a slightly more optimistic air to a still doleful atmosphere. Continuing in this vein of a more upbeat theme, “Molenstraat 01:37” continues to purvey a more positive atmosphere while “Molenstraat 02:28” is considerably more relaxed and flowing. “Molenstraat 07:33” closes the CD in a similar way to it’s start with the first signs of activity appearing on the street and the good feeling the dawning of a new day and new start brings.
The whole Molenstraat album is like a journey through a random person’s night alone in an unnamed apartment skilfully portrayed through the representation of mood in the onset of night and the dawning of a new day. Starting reflectively, Molenstraat seamlessly shifts from dark desperation and depression through to hope and determination for a new day. All this created through the use of carefully placed piano and swirling keyboard tones along with the use of space and naturally occurring ambience from the surroundings. A brilliantly emotive album that takes it’s time to unfold and paint a picture of mood and feeling on both a personal and environmental level.
Molenstraat is available on H/S Recordings.
