Marking the formal introduction of her new and expansive musical project - Veda & The String Machine - Veda Bartringer presents her scintillating new release in 'Rise & Shine'.
Displaying her vast scope and musical vision through different projects and ensembles must now come as second nature for the Luxembourg guitarist, composer and band leader. As a highly decorated artist in her own right - accolades which include having earned a Master's Degree from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, being selected as a laureate of the Propulsion program in 2024 and being nominated for Best Newcomer at the Luxembourg Music Awards - Bartringer has long continued her fascination with jazz and the guitar beyond her studies and excitingly has managed to carve a captivating career across Luxembourg and Belgium.
From the Veda Bartringer Trio to the Veda Bartringer Quartet to Ensemble à Plectre municipal d’Esch-sur-Alzette, the progressive guitarist thrives upon the notion of collaboration and the multitude of possibilities afforded to her as a result. Aside from the larger scale ensembles, Veda has further embraced a selection of more intimate duo projects pairing her guitar alongside fellow guitarist Joël Rabesolo and another alongside vocalist Anna Winkin. Each new venture affords Bartringer the chance to excitingly hit 'reset', if you will; the idea that she treats subsequent pairings as a way to completely recontextualise her approach to everything including the connection she has to not just her collaborators but also to her very own instrument proves an inspired perspective and vision for her own music.
Which brings us to the release of 'Rise & Shine', officially by Veda & The String Machine. Comprised of up to nine musicians, there's a tantalising ambition on display here that still finds the guitarist embracing the new challenge with poise and confidence.
While naturally displaying an affection for a classical aesthetic within 'Rise & Shine', Bartringer's playing elegantly ushers in an understated hint of blues which works beautifully as part of a song like 'Butterfly Tree'. Amidst the broad and sweeping string-laden backdrop, Bartringer's solemn guitar resonates as a quaint moment of introspection.
'Rise & Shine' proves very much an album that soars from a similar dichotomy of styles - while songs like 'Lost in a Toy Box' and 'Too Much Coffee' cater to the guitarist's more playful side, pieces like 'Rue de l'Etuve' and 'Farewell' find their respective sweet spot within poignant tones of nostalgia. It's a characteristic that Bartringer captures so effortlessly well and a compelling way to weave the notion of storytelling into the project as a whole.
While undoubtedly a beautiful and nuanced piece of work, 'Rise & Shine' proves another success within Veda Bartringer's continually expanding catalogue. As an artist, her ability to continually challenge and reinvent her music remains one of her greatest strengths.
No comments:
Post a Comment