EP3 by Ola Szmidt

Ola Szmidt's third EP is the culmination of many years' creative output and also marks the beginning of a new era, as her first release since signing with Matthew Herbert's Accidental Records.

A real bravery of spirit runs through EP3, which feels like her most intimate recording to date: underpinned by pulsating processed loops and a lyricism that is viscerally ‘openhearted’ (to use a favourite adjective of Ola’s). The palpable physicality of the sound is wrapped in an expansive translucence. Breath is a consistent thread, joining each textural vista to the next. The unifying theme is healing, in myriad forms, from cell to mind, individual to collective.

‘For Eric’ was originally created for a specific person and not intended for formal release. We are beckoned into this shared moment, cocooned within elemental vocal layers as they flow from one soul to another. It is an insight into the artist’s own interior landscape, an invitation into a nourishing conscious dream.

Focus then shifts to the macro level with the slight but satisfying ‘Raguel’ which Ola calls ‘a prayer for soothing anyone, anywhere who is affected by injustice.’

Side B side features ‘Rooted’, a piece written while she was recovering from surgery as part of her own healing process and concludes with the glitchy and sublime ’C Tactile Afferent’ which Ola describes as being:

‘Inspired by touch, skin hunger, the nervous system and my admiration of ‘C Tactile Afferent’ nerve fibres which respond to slowly moving, gentle touch, like a caress… What happens when we are deprived of touch? Skin hunger. It is a condition caused by absence of touch from others. In this pandemic a lot of people are suffering from it and I send my love and light to everyone.’

Upcoming shows:

Ola Szmidt + Louf
22nd of October 2022 - London- The Old Church N16
https://olaszmidt.bandcamp.com/merch/theoldchurchn16-2210-live-show-support-from-louf

Vocalist and composer specialising in live looping experimentation.

Multi Modal Body and Sound Therapist.

Funded by Arts Council England and has been mentored by FourTet

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