Soap & Skin
Country of origin:
Austria
Type of music generally:
Evocative/eclectic experimental
Status:
Most recent release, "Mawal Jamar" (single, 2015); most recent full-length release, Narrow (2012)
See also:
Soap & Skin's site
Comparisons:
Nico, Stina Nordenstam, Bat for Lashes
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Quirky and moody, it's a little surprising—or is it?—that Soap&Skin is the work of one young woman, Anja Plaschg. It's such an individual vision it's hard to imagine it being the product of a group but sophisticated so that it's hard to imagine it's one woman alone. This is dreamy, haunting music but with an edge. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Narrow
Recordings:
- Lovetune For Vacuum (2009)
- Narrow (2012)
- Sugarbread (3-track EP, 2013)
- "Mawal Jamar" (single, 2015)
Lovetune For Vacuum
Release info:
2009—Couch Records
Availability:
See Soap & Skin's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended for fans of the defiantly individual
Group members:
Anja Plaschg—vocals, piano, etc.
Guest artists:
Florian Eggner—cello (1, 4)
Manfred Hofer—contrabass (1, 2, 5, 10)
Martina Engel—viola (4, 13)
Produced by:
Anja Plaschg
Comments:
Speaking of hard to believe, apparently this was recorded when Anja Plaschg was still a teenager and she did it almost entirely herself. Hard to imagine a more sophisticated teenager with a stronger sense of her own vision. This has an astonishing assurance. That said, it's an album full of hauntings, hesistancies, pushes. Part melodic and part anti-melody. (Neile)
Narrow
Release info:
2012
Availability:
Wide
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended
Comments:
A demanding, surprising, and rewarding album. I think what I find difficult to describe about it is what makes me love it so much. Dark, haunting, occasionally industrial... always interesting and very original with shades of Bat for Lashes. I find this more accessible and enjoyable than Lovetune For Vacuum. (JoAnn Whetsell)
Thanks to JoAnn Whetsell for work on this entry.
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