Sierra Fin
Cautionary Tale of the Beautiful Blackout | 2011-03-23 01:44 | Written By: by AIR
I received a press release the other day that piqued my interest beyond normal. Sierra Fin, an independent released, self funded pop-rock band had just finished recording an entire album with a Symphony Orchestra. The nerve! The Audacity! Not to mention the organisation, the faith, the gandeur, the patience and THE COST! Hiring 30 musicians for a live recordis to tape ain't no small undertaking.
When done tastefully its easy to get caught up in the subtleties of rising strings or a lone oboe, but when an orchestral "Wall of Sound" is done with cliched bombast you end up with schlock, time to start cringing. Be careful with orchestras people! Be very careful!
The video above is a sweet and romantic sample from the album... We're yet to hear the entire album but we like this one. More than anything though, we love the intent and audacity of the entire project which will be out on May 5th through MGM.
Sierra Fin composed a concept album about the banalities and challenges of modern life. They spent over 6 months of preparing the sessions, 4 of which was spent orchestrating the album. ‘Cautionary Tale of the Beautiful Blackout’ was then recorded in a 5 days, with a further 8 days to mix the vast quantity of instruments.
To their knowledge, there has never been an Australian band who has recorded an entire original album with a Symphony Orchestra (tell us if you know of one). Not only that, Sierra Fin have done it entirely independently, on debut and arranged completely in house. DIY Orchestra.
So, kudos to Sierra Fin.
