The Pelican’s Perch

B.J. recommended this band to me after he heard my last Perch Mix, which featured some Yann Tiersen tunes from the Amelie soundtrack.  Little did he know, his recommendation would make my weekend.  The band he suggested, Detektivbyran, sound a lot like Yann Tiersen’s music and after some searching I got a hold of their Hemvagen EP, which I believe is their only release, and basically only stopped listening to it briefly to attend our friend’s wedding.

It’d be an understatement if I told you I enjoyed everything Yann Tiersen created.  I started with the Amelie soundtrack, then fell in love with the Goodbye Lenin soundtrack, and before long I had every album he’d created.  I’d go as far as to say he’s my favorite contemporary composer along with Max Richter.  So, enter the Swedish instrumental band Detektivbyran and they fall so closely to Tiersen that it was inevitable I’d love their music.  The best part was the fact that I was at home all weekend at my parent’s house and I guess my dad had had enough accordians, xylophones, and bells and told me to shut that music off already, what was wrong with me.

While that made me laugh quite a bit, I also realized that Detektivbyran’s music isn’t for everyone, so I don’t expect some of you to enjoy this.  But you can’t deny the cleverness to their music.  The combination of traditional folk instruments with glitchy electronics towards the end of the opening track, E18, is my favorite moment on the EP.  “Nattopet” is full of hand percussion like shakers, xylophones of all sizes, and then a synth part enters towards the end with drums.  Every song is unique in it’s own way and really just need to be heard to be understood.  I could ramble all day about their music and you’d probably still be confused.  So, whether you’re like me and love music in the vein of Yann Tiersen, or you feel like broadening your musical horizons today, give Detektivbyran a listen and I bet the majority of you will be glad you did.  Here’s another big thank you to B.J. for the recommendation, and I hope more readers throw some recommendations my way.  At least now you know if I really enjoy the band you suggest, you’ll be all over the post I write up about that band.

Hemvagen EP

1. E18 [MP3]

2. Hemvägen
3. Nattöppet [MP3]

4. Monster
5. Dansbanan [MP3]

6. Granmon
7. Vänerhavet
Official Site / Myspace / Buy Hemvagen EP