themmp.tv
Originally of folk outfit Tim And Sam’s Tim And The Sam Band, last September Tim McIver and Rebecca Palin turned their attentions to this new project. Of course, Golden Fable rolls off the tongue much easier than the painfully uninventive group moniker, and is greatly more indicative of their sound. The cult following accrued from their previous endeavours has laid the foundation for the success of the duo, building on the ethereal quality of the group, and maturing their own luscious, altruistic vision into some truly astounding records. Their undoubted signature is Palin’s entrancing, angelic soprano voice. Developed in church before being honed on stage, she has a piercing, choral range which evokes Welsh hymnal tradition. Not to be pigeonholed as regressive, however, both members dabble in an incredible range of obscure instruments and samples, building a rhythmic bass line before layering it with glockenspiels, clarinets, or whatever else they can lay their hands on. Recent release Sugarloaf propelled them to critical acclaim and national radio airtime. Inspired by an ascent of the imposing Sugarloaf Mountain in Monmouthshire, its majesty and prowess has built upon the successes of Always Golden and The Chill Part 2, drawing favour from peers and critics alike.
Golden Fable
Words: Dom Gilbert
Their debut album, Star Map, brings together the previous t hree singles, fleshing them out into a subtle, considered work of pure indulgence. Framed by the stunning landscape of their origins in Clwyd, even listening to it surrounded by grey manacles of brick and stone can transport you to peaks, valleys and rivers of North Wales. With deep, melancholy strings reverberating purposefully, deft instrumentals sampled with gorgeous concoctions of birdsong and trickling brooks, and hollow, echoing percussion, its wistful, gossamer ambience is both haunting and inspiring. Deeply sentimental, they have kept the contributions to this album entirely local to the area which inspired it. Many of the instruments featured were provided by a local collector who rescues and restores antique pieces. Artwork was provided by a local artist and local musicians were recruited to assist with recording. The title of the album also hints at a certain philosophy. As Palin explains, “we as humans each have a tailored set of principles with which we try to navigate our way through life. When a bird first begins its life within the safe confines of its nest, its first instinct is to look upwards and study the arrangement of stars from its own unique location. It will then store a mental image of this, its own personal ‘Star Map’, and use it to navigate from then on”.
11