recommended: Divil A' Bit - In Deference To The Squeamish I

In Deference to the Squeamish I by Divil A' Bit from Divil Bit on Vimeo.


David Colohan (United Bible Studies, Raising Holy Sparks), Natalia Beylis and Willie Stewart (both of Woven Skull) make up the trio Divil A' Bit; Stewart also directed this evocative, gothic-tinged video for their track 'In Deference To The Squeamish I'. It suits the alternately eerie and serene folk vibes of the track so well, its bucolic setting (Drumnadubber Wood in Leitrim) reflecting the prominent, integral use of field recordings in the track itself. (Beylis hosts a 'daily sound diary project' called The Sunken Hum which is well worth checking out, its unaltered field recordings/soundscapes encompassing everything from creaking gates to cattle marts).

'...Squeamish...' is based around a simple but hypnotic banjo (or something similar?) figure that gradually, subtly builds into something more lyrical and intricate; just as essential to the overall atmosphere, however, are the sounds of stones steadily splashing in water, chirping birdsong, and the irregular hum of passing cars (the music was recorded under Archies Bridge, Royal Canal, Longford).

An album is on the way from the trio, who will be performing an interactive 'Keyboard Massacre' at this year's Hunters Moon festival in Carrick-on-Shannon (the festival is run by Beylis and Stewart).