Anahita - Matricaria

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4...according to our Phil on Thu 26 Feb, 2009.

Anahita are a bit of a star studded duo. They consist of the two medieval superwitches Tara Burke and Helena Espvall. Possibly more known for their respective work in Fursaxa and Espers. Here's their debut (I think) CD on Important called Matricaria. It reminds me a lot of the Tau Emerald CD that came out a while back on Important. This is some proper medeival church folk gear which makes me think that these two women were born in the wrong century completely. It's great though I have to say. They've obviously studied old folk music and it comes naturally to 'em. They've clearly got that gift of creating authentic sounding interesting folk. There's something really primeval and spiritual about it... I think that has to do with the weird witchy vocals. I'm convinced I'm gonna turn into a frog by the end of the record. Actually I can hear a bit of the Le Mystère Des Voix Bulgares about it times. There's some Eastern European vibes going on you see. Stick with it anyway. It's far from an easy listen but those who are fans of Fursaxa and the Tau Emerald CD will love this!

Anahita is Tara Burke (Fursaxa) and cellist Helena Espvall (Espers). Tara recently showed up on Important as part of the duo of Tau Emerald with Sharron Kraus while Helena contributed a beautiful piece to the James Blackshaw currated Garden Of Forking Paths compilation. Anahita is a beautifu, laboriously created and floating affair of skeletal organ drones, ceremonial singing and subtly frantic instrumental accompaniment conjuring up a natural woodland romp and stomp.The album was recorded between 2005 and 2008. All tracks were recorded on a 4 track by Tara and Helena in their homes. The songs were then engineered by Sam Cusumano. Fursaxa is Tara Burke. Formerly a member of the Silbreeze band UN, Tara started her Fursaxa project in 1999 after UN disbanded. After being a long time resident of Philadelphia, Tara decided to leave the "city of brotherly love" for the touring life. So from April 2005-April 2006 she toured extensively throughout the UK, the USA, and Europe with friends and fellow musicians Jack Rose, Sharron Kraus, Alexander Tucker, Christina Carter, Marcia Bassett, and the Spires that in the Sunset rise, to name a few. For her live performances she uses mostly looped vocals, flutes, and percussion, a casio keyboard, guitar, and mandolin, in an attempt to transport her audience into the ethereal realms. Tara has recently been collaborating with several other musicians. Espers member Helena Espvall
and Tara have a duo called Anahita, and released "Arcana en Cantos" on the Deserted Village label from Ireland in 2007. And solo musician Sharron Kraus and Tara have a duo called Tau Emerald and recently released "Travellers Two" on Important Records in January of 2008. Fursaxa is also a part of the Valerie Project, which combines a live soundtrack with the 1970 Czech film "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders" by Jaromil Jires. Her most current endeavor is the Kobold Moon release on her own Sylph Records.

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