AOIFE NESSA FRANCES - PROTECTOR VINYL (LTD. ED. WHITE)

LIMITED EDITION WHITE VINYL

Release Date: 28th October 2022

"In the spring of 2020, Aoife Nessa Frances packed up her things in Dublin and moved to rural County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. Itwas there, amidst the stillness, that she began to work on the songs thatwould become her second album, ‘Protector’: a personal, mysticaljourney of self-discovery through dislocation, transformation, andrestoration. “I might have been running away from my problems,”sheadmits. “I was disconnected from myself and from nature, but I foundpeace far away from the city, where there were no distractions. I isolatedmyself with nothing to do but make music.” Recording took place in a small house in County Kerry, at the foothills ofthe Annascaul, along with Brendan Jenkinson (producer, keys, bass,synth, clarinet) and Brendan Doherty (drums). “We’d wake up earlyevery day and swim at Inch Beach before making music,”Francesdescribes. “This ritual was crucial for our process. There was anunexplainable joy happening between the three of us.”Thearrangements grew with later contributions from Ailbhe Nic Oiroictaigh(strings), Meabh McKenna (harp), and Conor O’Brien (horns). No matterhow it expanded in scope and involvement, Frances never let it strayfrom a central focus on deep truths. “For me, ‘Protector’ acknowledgesthe part of myself that steers me towards a brighter path. The almostpsychotropic power of nature gave me a connection I never felt before.As the countryside seeped into me and lines of communication openedup with my family, I developed an ability to perceive myself and mychoices within an expanded world.” ‘Protector’ builds pastoral landscapes through light flourishes and openspaces. Songs float along effortlessly, remaining anchored by Frances’deep voice. Contemplative tempos tug along atmospheric synths,minimal bass, and shimmering guitar notes, conveying a serenity likeearly morning. “Writing and recording this album was a spiritualexperience,” Frances explains. “I experienced love for my family on alevel I didn’t know existed, while slowly putting myself back together andwatching the ‘protector’ in me grow much bigger.”"