Gillian Stone and the dark red folk indie revelations of "Shelf" (Official Video)

 

photo by Kira May

Gillian Stone's darkly drawn "Shelf" feels like gazing at an Ellen Gallagher painting (painter, multi-media artist). First you are struck with the aura of beauty but the longer you gaze (or listen) you start finding dark abstractions that might stir feelings of sadness or things that might even disturb you. The sparkling guitar amid a subtle beat and droning cello is tumbling down and when Stone's words start with an aloof, yet comfortable vocal aesthetic until what sounds like self harmonies- build tensions, anxiety. She beautifully pushes against the edge of what would be dissonant tones and the cyclical musical sounds feel like a weight that keeps rolling on top of you repeatedly.

“Shelf,” co-produced with experimental cellist Michael Peter Olsen (Arcade Fire, Haim, The Hidden Cameras), is [a droning lullaby that explores feelings of alienation and dissociation after a trauma.] The video for “Shelf” is Stone’s directorial debut and was filmed in collaboration with Toronto filmmaker John M. Hall. While the video contains a preemptive warning that theatrical blood is present, as a depiction of a Blót, a term for "blood sacrifice" in Norse paganism, it is not done in a Grand Guignol way. It does, however, wake you up and ask questions, hard ones. The effect is haunting and stays with you, like trauma itself.

-Robb Donker Curtius

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THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:


https://www.facebook.com/gillianstonemusic

https://twitter.com/gilliandrones

https://twitter.com/gilliandrones

https://www.instagram.com/gilliandrones/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LDXLeBkn1q05y6jw0diu8


Gillian Stone is a Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist whose work has been described as “a mix of Black Mountain, PJ Harvey and Weyes Blood” (PhotogMusic). Her songwriting draws from post-rock, art-rock, folk, minimalism, and ambience. Born and raised on Vancouver Island with Icelandic heritage, Stone channels the influence of outer landscapes in her inner lyrical worlds and soundscapes. Her music is often the product of processing her darkest emotions, particularly those related to shame, depression, addiction, self-doubt, and loss. She juxtaposes these themes with textures that range from tender to explosive in order to produce a singular sonic environment.

Stone’s debut release, “Bridges,” was described as “a dark and beautiful song; a song of many textures” (Monolith Cocktail) and “achingly vulnerable” (The Joy of Violent Movement). Her new single, “Shelf,” co-produced with experimental cellist Michael Peter Olsen (Arcade Fire, Haim, The Hidden Cameras), is a droning lullaby that explores feelings of alienation and dissociation after a trauma. The video for “Shelf” is Stone’s directorial debut, filmed in collaboration with Toronto filmmaker John M. Hall.

Stone holds a BFA in Jazz Studies from Vancouver Island University and an MA in Ethnomusicology from the University of Toronto. Her vocals and playing have been featured on projects by Alli Sunshine (FORCES), The Fern Tips (Beams, Ace of Wands), Völur (Blood Ceremony), and Althea Thauberger. She has performed in several notable festivals, including NXNE, Canadian Music Week, Open Ears Festival, In the Soil Arts Festival, and the Victoria International Jazz Festival.

Gillian Stone, Toronto based, singer-songwriter, indie folk, folk, dark folk, "Shelf" about trauma, dissociation, alienation, droning cello, sparkling guitar, dark music, blood feast, blood sacrifice