April : "Alpine Brew & Drunken Pianists"

I am very happy to finally release Soundtrack To An Underground Calendar: Part One!

It’s sound- and noisescapes with pop melodies and harmonies, some kind of jazz as well and some vocal acrobatics.

This was a tough one - musically, emotionally and productionwise.
After the release of Detective Stories I wondered what I could do next.
Then came a present by a lady friend, a calendar with dark scenic photos from locations from all over the world and I thought; Why not record a song for each photo/location?
I think taking inspiration from the calendar is allowed copyright-wise.

Anyway I started recording the first songs over a period of two months and then I decided to release an EP every four songs, to divide the workload and be able to change the musical styles if I wanted to.

1) January : Dragnarnir - A special rock formation of the Faroe Islands, meaning “brothers”, two massive stones, one with a natural gate at the bottom, in the water
The story of this song is one of starting a new journey after a breakup, leaving the old love behind and going on an adventure to find a new one. “Dragnarnir, a way out of here” adds a claustrophobic feel

2) February: Sunset Over Mitre Peak - That’s a special Mountain in New Zealand. The goal of this song was to capture light and shadow musically and lyrically.

3) March: Gog and Magog - Two stone stacks off the shores of Australia. The story behind this song is a couple almost nearing separation but putting the moment off to have a day surfing at the beach.

4) April: Alpine Brew & Drunken PIanists - This tune is about the alpine lake at the foot of Mount Matheson also in New Zealand. It combines a capella influcences with free jazz (the drunken piano part). Lyrically it’s about having rested and continuing the journey, inviting other to join.

(which will lead to Part 2 of this three part album)

All in all, this is a bold move for me as my peers haven’t reacted as positively and enthusiastically as to my other albums - but I am certain that this is the path I am on now and I am looking forward to finish the Soundtrack.

Albeit weird and a dreamer’s work.

- BMK
28.06.2025