Discoveries & Inventions

David's Lyre - Picture Of Our Youth

2012-02-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

The debut album from David's Lyre 'Picture Of Our Youth' is finally available to download from bandcamp and you are able to 'Name Your Price'. This means that you can either have it for free or can pay thousands of pounds depending on your level of generosity. If you pay a fiver or more you will be sent an exclusive bonus track. The Iskra String Quartet perform on three tracks - 'The Fall', 'Picture Of' and 'This I Know' with arrangements from Paul Frith.

Click here to read the DrownedInSound review.

Dustin O'Halloran - We Move Lightly (live)

2012-02-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

Galapagos Presents recently posted this beautifully shot video of a performance by Berlin based composer Dustin O'Halloran and the Iskra String Quartet at the Fatcat label night at last year's Great Escape Festival, Brighton.

David's Lyre - The Fall

2012-02-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

New video for David's Lyre - The Fall featuring studio footage of the Iskra String Quartet recording string parts for forthcoming album 'Picture Of Youth' at Air Studios, London.

Olafur Arnalds: 'My 5 Favourite Shows Of 2011'

2012-01-02T05:02:00.000-08:00

It was an absolute privilege to get to perform with Icelandic composer Olafur Arnalds in the past year and so was lovely to discover that we were involved in his top two shows of 2011.
Check out his blogpost:

Olafur Arnalds - 'My 5 Favourite shows of 2011'

Wilderthorn - St. Olave's Church, London

2011-12-15T06:58:00.000-08:00

Click here for more info.

Advent with David's Lyre

2011-12-11T02:01:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I came across a forgotten Iskra recording of some string loops I had composed. Rather than allow them to just sit in my hard drive unloved and unused, I decided to give them away via Twitter to see if anyone else could make sense of them. The first fruits of this social networking collaboration is this video from David's Lyre which is part of his Advent project that combines his songs and poems with short films created by students from St. Martin's College of Art.

Happy Guy Fawkes Night!

2011-11-05T07:24:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Guy Fawkes Night I helped Wilderthorn film this cover of the R.E.M song, The One I Love. The performance took place in Cannon Hill Common in South West London and is the third installment of the We Do Requests project.

Ólafur Arnalds - New Fall Festival, Düsseldorf

2011-10-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

Ljósið

Ólafur Arnalds - Foyer Teatro Grande, Brescia

2011-09-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hægt, Kemur Ljósið

Ólafur Arnalds - Teatro Out Off, Milan

2011-09-22T13:06:00.001-07:00

Endalaus II, Gleypa Okkur, Pulse

Wilderthorn - St Giles in the Fields, London

2011-09-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

On September 23rd, larla Ó Lionáird (Afrocelt Soundsystem) will be launching his latest solo album - Foxlight (Real World) at the wonderful St Giles in the Fields. I'll be joining support artist Wilderthorn.

Email us at info@wilderthorn.com for £5 guestlist tickets!

Marcus Foster - I Was Broken

2011-09-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

For fans of the Twilight movies, this song has been covered by lead actor Robert Pattinson and features co-star Kirsten Stewart in the video. Marcus Foster's 'I Was Broken' is taken from his debut album 'Nameless Path' (Communion/Polydor) and features the Iskra String Quartet. The album is available for pre-order via iTunes or Play.com.

Jóhann Jóhannsson - Triskel Christchurch, Cork

2011-08-02T02:15:00.000-07:00

The Reich Effect Festival - Photos of soundcheck via Adam Wiltzie's iPhone

Ólafur Arnalds - Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

2011-07-21T03:20:00.000-07:00

Above photos via http://olafurarnalds.com/

UPDATE: Click here for review from The Line Of Best Fit

Wilderthorn - Union Chapel

2011-07-14T02:44:00.000-07:00

I will be joining the mighty talented Jon Bilbrough/Wilderthorn onstage at one of my favourite venues, Union Chapel on July 23rd at 12:15pm. The show is hosted by Arctic Circle. Admission is free.

New Release - Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Box Of Stones

2011-06-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

The new Benjamin Francis Leftwich single, Box of Stones that features the Iskra String Quartet has been receiving a lot of love from BBC Radio 1. It is now available to purchase via iTunes.

Dustin O'Halloran - The Great Escape Festival, Brighton

2011-06-04T04:23:00.000-07:00

Dustin O'Halloran & The Iskra String Quartet - Fatcat Records/130701 label showcase at The Great Escape Festival, Brighton. Also featuring Haushcka and Max Richter. Photos via Andy Sturmey.

Click here to read The Fly review.

Dustin O'Halloran - Prelude No.2 (live)

2011-06-04T04:14:00.000-07:00

Dustin O'Halloran & The Iskra String Quartet - Prelude No.2 (live at Vortex, London)

Minotaur Shock - 100 Club

2011-05-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Broads

This Plane Is Going To Fall

My Burr

Reviews on THE-FLY.CO.UK

2011-05-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

Click here: THE.FLY.CO.UK review of Dustin O'Halloran and the Iskra String Quartet at Vortex, London.

Click here: THE.FLY.CO.UK review of Johann Johannsson and the Iskra String Quartet at the Reverberations: The influence of Steve Reich Festival, London.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Box Of Stones

2011-04-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

BBC Radio One's Zane Lowe has picked Benjamin Francis Leftwich's 'Box Of Stones' featuring the Iskra String Quartet as one of his Hottest Records. Click here to stream the song (available for the next 5 days).

David's Lyre Album Sessions - Air Studios, London

2011-04-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

Recording at Air Studios, Lyndhurst Hall for the forthcoming David's Lyre album.

Minotaur Shock - XOYO

2011-03-03T01:05:00.000-08:00

Soundcheck with Minotaur Shock

Showtime

Gold Panda

This week I joined Minotaur Shock onstage at London's XOYO for a sold out show supporting Gold Panda. The performance seemed to go well and Gold Panda's Mum and Dad even bought a CD to show their appreciation. Apparently our set reminded them of going to jazz clubs back in the day.

David's Lyre - In Arms (Iskra String Quartet Version)

2011-02-14T07:29:00.000-08:00

The Iskra String Quartet have remixed David's Lyre 'In Arms' for his forthcoming 5 track EP released via Hideout Recordings on February 22nd. The quartet collaborated with string arranger Paul Frith who arranged, recorded and mixed. I also contribute solo violin for the song 'This I Know'.

The 12" vinyl is available for preorder from HMV. Download available from Amazon and iTunes.

David's Lyre - In Arms (Iskra String Quartet Version) by Iskra String Quartet

L.E.V. Festival - Gijon

2011-02-08T05:54:00.000-08:00

L.E.V. 2011 from LEVFestival on Vimeo.

The Iskra String Quartet will be performing with composer Johann Johannsson at the L.E.V. Festival in Gijon, Spain on Friday April 29th. This will be an opportunity to hear some new compositions ahead of the release of Johann Johannsson's forthcoming album 'The Miner's Hymns' (FatCat Records) in May.

David's Lyre - BBC Radio 1 Huw Stephens Session

2011-02-03T22:59:00.000-08:00

Last night, Huw Stephens aired live session tracks recorded at Maida Vale by David's Lyre and featuring violin solos from me on his BBC Radio 1 show. We had a lot of fun recording these songs at the legendary studios and felt in awe of its incredible history. To listen to tracks click here to listen to This I Know (41 mins) and click here to listen to Constellations (21mins) available for the next week.

Dustin O'Halloran - Vortex

2011-01-28T01:07:00.000-08:00

The Iskra String Quartet will be joining acclaimed pianist/composer Dustin O'Halloran for his London show at the Vortex on Tuesday February 22nd. The concert will feature compositions from his forthcoming album, "Lumiere" (FatCat Records) which features performances from Adam Wiltzie (Stars Of The Lid), Peter Broderick, and was mixed by Jóhann Jóhannsson.

Click here for ticket info

Dustin O’Halloran - We Move Lightly by Fluid Radio

Reverberations: The Influence of Steve Reich

2011-01-14T00:53:00.000-08:00

The Iskra String Quartet will be performing alongside Johann Johannsson at The Barbican's Reverberations festival on May 8th at LSO St Luke's. The concert will also include The Theatre Of Voices performing Steve Reich's Proverbs.

Click here for more info about the Reverberations festival featuring performances by Max Richter, Kronos Quartet, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Hauschka, Tyondai Braxton, Bang On A Can and Clogs

Jóhann Jóhannsson - Odi Et Amo featuring Iskra String Quartet (Brussels, April 2009) by Iskra String Quartet

Duke Special - Sings The Songs Of Ruby Murray

2011-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

In November last year I was asked to contribute strings to a new Duke Special CD celebrating the music of Ruby Murray. Profits from sales will go towards the work of homeless charity Depaul's Ireland. The single features three cover versions of songs by Ruby Murray and is packaged with a set of unique note cards, designed by some of Depaul Ireland’s service users during art sessions.

This release coincides with the documentary 'Ruby and The Duke' airing on RTE One on Tuesday January 18th at 10:15pm.

Click here for more info.
Click here to order your copy.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T06:03:00.000-08:00

Photos by Rosie Reed from a sold out concert at St Giles, London with Johann Johannsson in May as part of a UK tour.

As 2010 comes to a close, many thanks to everyone who has supported us in the past year.

Happy New Year!

Nils Olav

2010-12-18T08:43:00.000-08:00

The snow is falling, chestnuts are roasting on an open fire and the wintery debut album from Nils Olav featuring the Iskra String Quartet has dropped through my postbox. These ten beautifully crafted songs will be released on January 1st 2011 but a sneak preview has been uploaded onto Bandcamp for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Discoveries & Inventions EP

2010-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year the Iskra String Quartet released the Discoveries & Inventions EP. This is a small personal project celebrating some of the friends they have made over the past few years and the musical discoveries that have helped shaped their journey. Contributers include Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson, Bristolian electronic artist David Edwards (Minotaur Shock), string arranger Paul Frith and London visual artist and musician Jon Bilbrough. Physical copies are available from their website. Download is available through Bandcamp.

Hamlet - National Theatre, London

2010-12-12T02:19:00.000-08:00

In October the Iskra String Quartet collaborated with composer Alex Baranowski to create the soundtrack to Sir Nicholas Hytner's award-winning production of Hamlet. The sessions proved to be a lot of fun with the quartet being asked to create the most chilling soundscapes to fit the tension of the story. At one point one of the quartet's members was sent to the canteen to eat a sandwich as his rumbling stomach was picking up too loudly on the microphones. I'm not sure if that particular sound found its way into the soundtrack in the end.

There are still a few London dates left and then the production will tour. Check National Theatre website for details.

Minotaur Shock - Heaven, London

2010-12-10T01:21:00.001-08:00

This week I made my debut live performance with the wonderful Minotaur Shock. For the past couple of years we have collaborated together on a number of recordings, now we decided it was time to display our combined forces in front of a sold out audience whilst supporting New York electro rockers Ratatat. Rather worryingly, due to some extreme London traffic, we didn't get time to rehearse or soundcheck, however all things considered it seemed to go pretty well and will hopefully be the first performance of many.

In 2008 the Iskra String Quartet were invited to record a version of the Minotaur Shock track 'Accelerated Footage At Night' to launch his album, Amateur Dramatics (4AD). Listen to us play electronic music acoustically...

Minotaur Shock - Accelerated Footage At Night (Iskra String Quartet Remix) by Iskra String Quartet