biographical info
Children of Laudanum is "a shadowy trip through an ethno-modern landscape," "an expansive sonic project that incorporates many worldly instruments and music styles to create a lush and hypnotic playground for the mind."
The tapestry brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Stephen Hargreaves; raised in England and Canada amongst a constant wash of literature, arts, and music. Extensive world travel from an early age and previous work with noise, soundscapes, electronica, & organic sounds laid an unorthodox but solid foundation for what would become Children of Laudanum. Furthermore performing along side of and taking erudition from musicians from Turkey, Iran, Ireland, Pakistan & the United Arab Emeritus, Stephen fell deep into the trance of ancient ‘world music’.
The 2004 debut LP Synesthesia links the ancient & modern and the east & west in elegance and eternal beauty. Sufi themes together with early 19th century literature guide the listener on "a spectacular musical cultural journey..." Synesthesia incorporates the eternal vocal sounds of Erin Armstrong and Marissa Nowlan together with the fiery violin of Frank Edgley, with Hargreaves performing on an array of instruments including oud, piano, cello, percussion, ney, and electronic manipulation. With a lack of formal music training Hargreaves, who is said to be a synaesthete, and such his approach to composition is "fresh and moves in exciting directions," earning himself much respect worldwide.
lineup
Stephen Hargreaves Songwriting, most instruments, programming etc.
Erin Armstrong Vocals
Frank Edgley Fiddle/Violin
Marissa Nowlan Vocals & additional percussion
Sally Zori tabla, darbuka, etc.
Erik Ingalls keyboards & additional instruments, etc.
influences
Dead Can Dance
Loreena McKennitt
Mercan Dede
Peter Murphy
Philip Glass