By Keith Walsh
Winter is coming — in less than two weeks. And there are things about winter that evoke melancholy — the sometimes darkness of the sky, the cold, the quiet. As so it is with Sienná’s holiday surprise, a version of “In The Bleak Midwinter.” There’s a sense of spookiness to this tune, a version of an 1906 popular song with lyrics from Christina Rossetti, adapted from a melody by Gustav Holst.
Raised in Japan but located in Norway, Sienná is known for her experimental nu jazz and electronica, but for this tune she showcases some traditional jazz chops in instrumentation and vocals, as well as her production skills to create a mellow, downbeat –and decidedly lovely – soundtrack for the season.
I asked Sienná about her experiences with this holiday song.
Synthbeat: How did you encounter this classic tune?
Sienná’: “I performed the piano for fun with a one-night-stand band at a Christmas party 5 years ago or so. Since then it has been my favorite humming song all year round. Later I came to know that the music was composed by Gustav Holst and had a big ‘aha’moment. I don´t know how many times I spinned The Planets during my childhood.”
Synthbeat: What instrument, or what tools did you use to create the jazz arrangement?
Sienná’: “I played mostly the MIDI keyboard connecting to the Logic Pro X plugins (Alchemy and EXS24) except bass, drums and vocals.”
Synthbeat: Same DAW as before? How about the haunting piano sound and orchestral?
Sienná’: “Yes, the same devices. I feel that I have a good fundamental setup, so I´m constantly learning in depth by using it. Piano and orchestral came from EXS24.”
Synthbeat: The big build at 2:30 is brilliant.. what drums did you use? Sienná’: “That was the result from editing, bouncing, cutting and compounding details on Logic Pro X Drummer. I thought it wasn´t a very simple edit, though…”
Synthbeat: Any news about an album in the works?
Sienná’: “Yes I have several new tracks, but not entirely and completely happy with them, yet. So I must wait, take distance and see what I think about them later. In a meanwhile I may start new music too. No rush, no regret :)”
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