Siog is in essence a single piece of music. Micko Roche has reworked, reimagined, and re-interpreted it into a fully fledged five track EP that is a soothingly serenading piece of ambient post rock. The Waterford based songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer has a penchant for crafting minimalist electronic soundscapes that tell subtle stories embedded within them. On Siog, each imagination of the track tells a different life stage of a mythical being. Micko is a fantastic composer, one who is able to not just play each instrument, but line them up into seamless lullabies.
The first piece is minimal and melancholic, an entirely stripped back ambient piano version of the original piece of music. Here, Micko is conveying the dawning and emergence of a new life. On track two, Kaya Keating joins Micko to perform on the violin, which adds an entirely new dimension and emotionality to the piece. It’s awakening and liberating, representing the freedom of life itself. Track three Sióg (Contráth) takes a much more invigorating approach, elevating the till now soothing ambient sound into one that instils energy, life, and vigour. Jessie Rocha’s ethereal vocal humming adds a new element to the album, bringing a dreamy but lively vibe. Here, the twilight of life is being composed. On the penultimate and final tracks, John Haggis from Speckled Doves joins Micko to perform the departure, a more melancholic and sullen indie influenced piece.
Micko Roche is quickly emerging as one of Ireland’s most unique artists and producers on the scene today His wholly unique ambient style blends together chilled out grooves and live instruments to create a soul soothing Balearic experience. With a rich background and history in live performance, Micko has now found his passion for studio production and sound engineering. His composition skills are remarkable, able to bloom flowery ambient pieces out of a single theme into distinctive storytelling anthems that are as luscious as they are emotive.
Fans of instrumental and ambient music would do well to check out Siog, it’s simply far too soothing to skip out on.
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