A Hawk And A Hacksaw And The Hun Hangár Ensemble EP

Following on from last year's excellent "The Way The Wind Blows" album, A Hawk And A Hacksaw have again travelled to the heart of Eastern Europe for their latest project. Jeremy Barnes & co have roped famous Hungarian musicians under the The Hun Hangár Ensemble guise and Beirut's Zach Cordon turns up adding his trumpet and mandolin expertise. Limited to just 4,000 copies the "A Hawk And A Hacksaw And The Hun Hangár Ensemble EP" will be released on May 7th, to coincide with an extensive tour of Europe.

With Efterklang's sublime "Under Giant Trees" already under their belt this year, The Leaf Label are looking to provide yet more evidence of the multi-dimensional artists on its roster. And they seem to have found a winner in A Hawk And A Hacksaw, who are dragging authentic European folk music in the 21st Century.

A mix of the weird and wonderful, exotic instruments such as Hungarian Bagpipes, Cymbalom and Bouzouki are combined with more traditional equipment to create these 8 compositions. Leaf have kindly donated two mp3's.


"Ihabibi" mp3 - A Hawk And A Hacksaw And The Hun Hangár Ensemble

"Zozobra" mp3 - A Hawk And A Hacksaw And The Hun Hangár Ensemble

Points Of Interest

1. A Hawk and A Hacksaw have confirmed dates for a UK tour that will encompass most major cities in Britain. The Alburqurque, New Mexico duo will be augmented by The Hun Hangár Ensemble, a Hungarian collective. The show will feature several mind-boggling instruments, re-workings of traditional European folk songs and a collection of tracks from AHAAH's back catalogue. They will be supported by Jack Rose, details can be viewed here.

2.Our Sleepless Forest have posted, what sounds like, a finished mix of "Aircastles" from their forthcoming debut album, which will be released on Type Records later in 2007. Listen here.

3. Hidden Shoal Recordings have kindly posted a free download of Slow Dancing Society's magnificent "How Life Was Meant To Be Lived". . But this is my favourite release of 2007 thus far, and "How Life.." is possibly the first classic track of the year. Download it here. The album, "The Sound of Lights When Dim" (Review) was also officially released today.

4. Longshot here, but if anyone can sort me out with a ticket for Arcade Fire's upcoming shows at The Barrowlands, it would be greatly appreciated. I was at work when they went on sale and had no access to a telephone. Safe to say they sold out almost instantly and I was left rather disappointed.