Rauelsson

Rauelsson’s Stunning “Siembra…” Out Now

We are proud to release La Siembra, La Espera Y La Cosecha today, available exclusively on gorgeous gatefold, clear vinyl and digital download (with digital booklet)!  Available NOW in the HUSHshop.

Rauelsson – “La Siembra…” Sampler Mix

also The Debutantes EP, now also available for FREE in just for taking a test drive through the HUSHshop

Rauelsson – “Debutantes” Sampler Mix

Willamette Week rightly gushed:

[SPANISH FOLK] On his debut full-length album, La Siembra, La Espera Y La Cosecha, Spaniard Raúl Pastor Medall (a.k.a. Rauelsson) creates a set of orchestral folk songs about “the fragility of life and the immenseness of love as a response to such fragility.” Heavy stuff, especially considering the whole thing is sung in Spanish. The question, then, becomes one of transference: can an album with such a lofty ambition translate to an audience that (for the most part) doesn’t speak the language?

I’ll admit that I don’t understand a word Rauelsson sings on La Siembra, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel the weight of the songs. La Siembra is undoubtably a winter album; from the acoustic instrumentation that sounds like it was recorded next to a fireplace and the warm, earthy atmosphere, this is the type of music you want to hear while lying under a fleece blanket. Layered with a bed of delicate piano and strings, “La Calma” and album standout “Raíces (otro Aviso)” would hold up through any windstorm, but the delicate and noble arrangements only heighten the tension in Rauelsson’s voice. You can tell everything is not quite right, even without translating the lyrics.

Rauelsson—who now spends most of his time in the Northwest—recorded the bulk of the material at Hush Records headquarters Type Foundry with the assistance of Norfolk & Western’s Adam Selzer and Dave Depper. Besides guest spots from the familiar faces (Laura Gibson, Ritchie Young, Heather Broderick), it’s a relatively simple affair: just plinking pianos, soft hits of bass, barely there percussion and Rauelsson’s fluttering voice, which could hold my attention all by itself. In fact, after completing the basic tracks, Rauelsson returned to the Mediterranean countryside to track his vocals in an ancient stone-walled house. But no matter where it was finished, there’s no denying that he has a gift for conveying deep emotions through gorgeous folk songs. That’s one thing you don’t need to speak Spanish to understand.

Rauelsson on Disco Grande, RNE Radio 3.

Disco Grande with Julio Ruiz on Radio Nacional de España, Radio 3 is perhaps the Spanish equivalent of  The John Peel Show (BBC) or Nic Harcourt’s Morning Becomes Eclectic (KCRW). Ruiz, who has been hosting the show for 28 38 years (!), took time to interview Raúl last week for his mother country radio audience:

Con un café en la mano, a las siete de la mañana, hora de allá, contestó a nuestras preguntas a propósito de ese brillante trabajo, cantado en español, “La siembra, la espera y la cosecha”.

Rauelsson on Disco Grande (excerpted)

Rauelsson’s “La Siembra…” Available Now For Pre-order.

Rauelsson – “La Siembra…” Sampler Mix

And it looks and sounds gorgeous:

All PRE-ORDERS will be signed by the artist and will ship to arrive before the release date, Jan 12, 2010.

• 180 gram audiophile vinyl LP.
• Contains digital download coupon.
• Beautifully printed gatefold jacket.
• Crystal clear vinyl.
• Full color sleeve with lyrics.

Get it in The HUSHshop.

Rauelsson – Free / Support “Debutantes” EP

Raúl Pastor Medal is one classy Spaniard.  While some are content to collect the cast-offs for extra-album material, Raúl saw fit to reserve two of the finest tracks (“Depredadores” and “Desbocados”) as a special gift for listeners, and offer them up for free (or your support).  They are bundled with the album opener, “Debutantes”, an almost A Capella choral arrangement Spanish version of Loch Lomond’s “Elephants and Little Girls” translated “Elephantes y Niñas”, and a haunting Chad Crouch remix of the album track “Palidez” entitled “Palideces”. We are honored to share such a quality audible morsel with you, available now in the HUSHshop.  Enjoy!

Rauelsson – “Debutantes” Sampler Mix

Rauelsson “Debutantes” Video

Filmed in the mossy environs of Portland’s Forest Park, the official video for the lead track off La Siembra La Espera Y La Cosecha follows our mysterious character on a strange and mysterious journey, with a cameo from Loch Lomond’s Ritchie Young at the conclusion.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXXxamE5Tx4