Each night there is a moment just before the sun sinks into the sea when everything on earth flares and becomes more vivid, more alive. This is the last deep breath of light the world takes before darkness comes. And it is the moment The Dark Water Hymnal explores both lyrically and musically in their debut full-length, As Above, So Below.
At once hauntingly fragile and joyfully spirited, As Above, So Below is full of dreamlike images and mythical undertones. Vocal harmonies float and weave through layers of guitar, violin, bells, drums, tambourines, and the deep boom of a floor tom, creating a rich tapestry of acoustic sound.
As Above, So Below is a natural progression from the darkly romantic indie-folk The Dark Water Hymnal forged with their 2007 self-titled EP. Although hailed by Austin press as “among the year’s best folk debuts†(Doug Freeman, The Austin Chronicle), as “breathtaking… mesmerizing and enveloping†(Austin Sound), and “full of the kind of great song writing that draws you in and forces you to pay attention†(Side One: Track One), the EP was only a beginning.
2008 was a year of blooms and transformations. The Dark Water Hymnal grew from a hushed 3-piece into a livelier, more refined 5-piece. They began working on new material and continued playing bars, house parties, record stores, and hidden forest clearings surrounded by candles and lantern-light.
As Above, So Below was written in the heat of summer and recorded in the heart of winter 2008 by Andrew Hernandez at Premium Recording, Austin, TX. It will be released March 2, 2009 and available on iTunes, Amazon, and E-Music shortly after. It is a call to adventure.
Bring your ears, bring your hearts…
