European Howl by Agent Starling

Agent Starling's debut album, European Howl releases on all the usual digital outlets on May 4th 2021. The ten-track album is brimful of catchy hurdy-gurdy tunes, new songs, hypnotic drones, live bass grooves & strings, all with an experimental edge.

"Experimental hurdy-gurdy on duo’s impressive debut. European Howl is a complex, immersive and at times disorienting listening experience. Opening track ‘Helicopter Arms’ sets the tone – pulsating, intriguing, the distinctive droning, buzzing but melodic sound of the hurdy-gurdy and whispered spoken-word vocals … ‘Minor Surgery’ is a cyber-Morricone soundtrack with whipcrack noises and a splendid rumbling bassline."(SONGLINES July 2021)

"In all the years since this podcast started I don’t think we’ve ever knowingly featured a hurdy-gurdy – but there’s a first time for everything thanks to Agent Starling." (Tom Robinson, BBC Radio 6 Music)

Agent Starling are Quentin Budworth hurdy-gurdy and Lou Loudhailer voices & other instruments. Recorded in the first three months of 2021, European Howl also features Dexter Duffy-Howard on violin and cello. Recorded in Yorkshire UK by Agent Starling, the album was mastered in Oregon by Kevin Carafa.

The album is influenced by musical traditions from nations across Europe. A mix of instrumental pieces, spoken word and songs, themes range from a miscellany of Greek Tales (Wine Dark Sea), an elegy by a dying lover (Requiem) to Helicopter Arms, inspired by the glorious gurdy tune at the heart of the song. Delores County Ride is a tribute to the women who hop trains in Arno Bitschy’s film This Train I Ride, and the album’s title track is an ode to being European, a call for connection in today’s isolationist climate.

Visit the Agent Starling website: https://agentstarlinguk.wordpress.com/

Quentin and Lou both have strong musical provenance. Lou was originally in prophetic UK Indie band Red Guitars and has gigged and recorded ever since, heading up psychedelic rock band Loudhailer Electric Company. Originally part of Suns of Arqa, Quentin is the force behind world fusion medieval rave band Celtarabia, also featuring Lou on bass. He spent the year before lockdown touring Europe meeting with other top hurdy-gurdy players exchanging tunes, techniques and experiences. The band usually play the alternative festival circuit throughout the summer, but due to lockdown restrictions on live music, Lou and Quentin joined forces to create Agent Starling and record European Howl.

European Howl releases on all the usual digital outlets on May 4th, 2021 on the DHM record label, catalogue number DHM028, distributed by Label Worx. Pre-release available from Bandcamp https://loudhaileruk.bandcamp.com/album/european-howl

Tracklist

1.	Helicopter Arms	4:44

2.	Drive the Cold Winter Away	2:57

3.	Return of the King	3:50

4.	Wine Dark Sea	3:41

5.	Minor Surgery	4:33

6.	Il N'est Plus Temps (Time Travel Mix)	4:53

7.	Delores County Ride	3:04

8.	Requiem	4:58

9.	European Howl	8:40

10.	The Parting Glass	3:11

Credits

released May 4, 2021

Agent Starling are Quentin Budworth hurdy-gurdy and Lou Loudhailer voices & other instruments. Violin and cello by Dexter Duffy-Howard. Recorded by Lou and Quentin, mastered by Kevin Carafa. Album artwork by Anna Kirk-Smith.

All songs written by Louise Duffy-Howard aka Lou Loudhailer and Quentin Budworth except 2. from Playford’s Dancing Master, 3 & 10. trad arr. Duffy-Howard & Budworth, 6. Michel Pichon arr. Duffy-Howard & Budworth.

© ℗ 2021 Agent Starling all rights reserved

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