The British progressive rock band, The Emerald Dawn, has dedicated their sixth album, titled The Land, The Sea, The Air, to addressing the climate crisis. This marks a significant thematic shift for the group, known for their unique sound and diverse influences. The first volume of this ambitious two-part project is set to be released shortly, with its companion expected in the spring of 2024.
Formed in 2010 by core members Ally Carter and Tree Stewart, The Emerald Dawn has steadily grown a loyal following. Recently, the band performed at the prestigious A New Day festival. In a contrasting scenario, they also engaged in a unique live recording process that involved playing to an audience of zero, using cameras to capture their performance for video editing.
Carter explained their unconventional recording method: “When we make an album, we play the whole thing live in the studio with cameras set up. Tree has the challenging job of putting all the footage together. We performed one of the new tracks to ensure all the levels were correct and that the cameras captured everything well.”
The initial volume of The Land, The Sea, The Air consists of four tracks, focusing on instrumental textures and showcasing stylistic elements that the band has not explored before. The opening track, Dancing With The Spirit, features a fusion style that highlights the rhythmic talents of bassist Dave Greenaway and drummer Tom Jackson.
Stewart noted a shift in the band’s priorities. “We felt that now is the time because of what’s been happening with the rolling back of environmental legislation, particularly in America, and the wildfires occurring globally. It’s more urgent than ever.”
Carter added, “I’ve wanted to do this album for quite a while. The rest of the band kept putting it further back on the list, until finally, I said, ‘No. We’ve got to do it now.’”
The track Under Changing Skies, which spans nearly 17 minutes, contains lyrics that implore listeners to confront the climate emergency. Stewart created a powerful riff in response to previous critiques about her compositional style, which she describes as being reminiscent of a keyboard player’s work.
“I thought, ‘Right, you blighters, I’m going to write something hard-edged that you’re actually going to like!’ And they do, which is great,” she remarked. The piece features a new instrument, the HandSonic digital percussion device, allowing Stewart to incorporate dulcimer and congas into their live performances.
Carter emphasized the audience’s positive reaction to these elements, noting, “When that dulcimer section ends, there’s a spontaneous round of applause. It’s like what happens at a jazz gig, where you get a burst of appreciation after a little solo.”
The album also includes a track titled While Oceans Die, which immerses listeners in the sensation of being at sea, enhanced by jazzy saxophone contributions from Carter. He shared that his influences included Elton Dean from Soft Machine and renowned Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek.
The closing track, And We’re Left Wondering Why…, presents a more conventional sound for The Emerald Dawn. Its roots trace back to a piece Carter performed at environmental gatherings in the past. The band promises that the second volume of their album will introduce a hopeful perspective on human impact and ecological living.
Stewart revealed, “There’s a side-long composition called Song Of The Rainforest and another piece we’re still composing called Rivers Of Tears. The final track, Paradise, will bring everything together and leave a bit of hope about how we might all live a more ecological lifestyle.”
This new direction for The Emerald Dawn reflects their commitment to not only creating music but also using their platform to address pressing global issues. As they prepare for the release of The Land, The Sea, The Air, the band aims to inspire conversations about climate action and ecological responsibility through their art.
