Prairie WWWW is an experimental folk band formed in Taipei, Taiwan in 2010. Its music combines poetry, folk, ambient and tribal elements. The band seeks inspiration from the might of nature, and with a mixture of sounds and visual arts in their performances, they manage to bring forward to their audiences the experience of their unique soundscape visually and aurally.
The four Ws in Prairie’s band name are not to be pronounced, serving as a pictogram for a waveform, as well as the imagery of the grass that blowing in the wind.
The EP derives from the stories of aboriginals, as well as the personal life experience of Prairie WWWW‘s members. By three-phase ceremonies – searching, involvement,and recurrence, this journey is written through profound introspection and reminiscence.
“Shapeless Beast” starts from the lo-fi drone sound. A door of certain consciousness seems open in the dream. “Moon” Leading by two drums and a flute and collaborating with guitars and synthesiser, a man and a woman are chanting together a short poem searching and going forwards from their individual mist paths.
After entering “Eyewood”, as falling into a reddish lake, a drum beat suddenly penetrates into the second level of consciousness. Being dizzy consistently and dancing at the same place, a unique rhythm with a strong tribal drum beats and fuzz guitar provides a special trippy ambience.
Withdrawn from the clear rainy “Callous”, contemplate with open eyes, emotions calm down gradually and stories are ready to go to the end.
Lastly it comes to the title rhythm “Wu-Hai”. Tapping finely and following the bell ring, we sing softly and seem to be ready to get up and step out slowly, lightly and assertively. Feedback sounds and folk funeral melody of Taiwan are unceasingly playing. Filled with consciousness and memories, we watch the dead doing his last lingering around the border, farewell to the dead and enter the void which end the stories just like that of “Travel Elegy” written by Wislawa Szymborska.
After entering “Eyewood”, as falling into a reddish lake, a drum beat suddenly penetrates into the second level of consciousness. Being dizzy consistently and dancing at the same place, a unique rhythm with a strong tribal drum beats and fuzz guitar provides a special trippy ambience.
Withdrawn from the clear rainy “Callous”, contemplate with open eyes, emotions calm down gradually and stories are ready to go to the end.
Lastly it comes to the title rhythm “Wu-Hai”. Tapping finely and following the bell ring, we sing softly and seem to be ready to get up and step out slowly, lightly and assertively. Feedback sounds and folk funeral melody of Taiwan are unceasingly playing. Filled with consciousness and memories, we watch the dead doing his last lingering around the border, farewell to the dead and enter the void which end the stories just like that of “Travel Elegy” written by Wislawa Szymborska.
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