(2021) Dani Larkin - Notes for a Maiden Warrior


Review:
With a sound rich in the sounds of Irish traditional music and owning a powerful, formidable voice, Dani Larkin may be a new name on the folk scene, but she arrives prepared as a confident and stimulating artist. A talented musician, hailing from the Armagh-Monaghan border, Larkin is already a welcome and established voice on Northern Ireland’s live circuit. She is a natural and absorbing storyteller, who previously performed as DANI, before adopting the family name Larkin after discovering it to be the surname of her maternal great grandmother prior to her marriage in the 1920s. It was a name lost in the family for a century but is now central to her musical identity; an identity that finely blends the musical heritage of the past with an exciting focus on the authority of the modern voice. It is clear that family and community is important to Larkin. Her upbringing encouraged a love of song and music emerging in the weekly Sunday gatherings, which brought family and friends together to share songs and stories. The allure of tradition and storytelling is central to Notes for a Maiden Warrior and characterises the sublime yet poignant sound of the album. The album is Larkin’s debut, and an impressive one it is too. She has a strong, atmospheric voice, reminiscent at times of Rioghnach Connolly, or perhaps even Rhiannon Giddens, and a talent for poetry and affecting melodies in her songs. Eleven tracks populate the album. The title, Notes for a Maiden Warrior, suggests the initial mood, or theme of the record. It’s a primal, vibrant, thoroughly visceral set of recordings. As Larkin’s notes explain: “The album is centred around the concept of lessons on how to be a warrior, how to create change in this world by learning from stories of old and from other realms, and how to navigate life – love, death, suffering, pain, strength and kindness. It is not intended to be instructional; it is as a set of notes in song form”. The album opens with ‘The Mother Within’, a dark, hypnotic, banjo-driven song. Featuring accompaniment from multi-instrumentalist Lucy Little it’s an arresting opener: ‘I’ve heard the battle cry and I’ve seen love die’ sings Larkin over some sharp, forceful, strings. It feels almost like a call to arms, a gathering of souls. This vibe is repeated in the second track ‘Bloodthirsty’, a wild, gutsy track about the strength and power of femininity. ‘Aoife’ explores the story from Ulster Mythology, with links to the tales of Áoife and the Children of Lir. The track highlights Larkin’s interest in folktales and mythology. This fascination sees a return in the ominous, lingering threat of ‘The Red (Maca’s Return)’. It’s a raw track, exploring the tale of the Maca, the Goddess of War and her terrifying return. It’s an angry, sombre song, which builds to a frantic conclusion through Larkin’s ferocious guitar. In contrast, ‘The Magpie’ is a sweeter, but nonetheless engaging listen. With a greater focus on her skills as an instrumentalist, it’s a rhythmic, guitar-led track, almost a palette cleanser from the fiery earlier tracks before heading into the honeyed intimacy of the closing tracks. In some ways, Notes for a Maiden Warrior is an album of two identities. Following tracks with a focus on folklore and mythology, the second latter half of the album shifts focus, with tracks favouring themes of love, togetherness, and relationships. ‘Love Part One’ is reminiscent of Nick Drake in its soft, intimate warmth. It’s a beautifully effective listen, and one which allows Larkin space to explore more personal, emotional subject matter. ‘Love Part Two’ continues the sense of intimacy, a world music inspired track exploring the theme of longing and heartache. The third track of the trilogy, ‘Love Part Three’, delves into the next stage in the story; when love is reciprocated, and the strength it has to change and transform the individual over time. They are a handsome, evocative, and heartfelt trio of tracks, certainly the most touching on an already muscular album. The album finishes with ‘Three Wise Women’. No instruments are present here, only Larkin’s voice and a haunting chorus. Notes for a Maiden Warrior was recorded just prior to lockdown in 2020 at Belfast’s Halfbap Studios and co-produced by George Sloan with mixing completed remotely. Throughout, the album successfully merges and plays with traditional melodies and rhythms, with an eye on some exciting nu-folk sounds. Larkin has curated a ferocious, and emotionally charged record and is the owner of a singular and vigorous voice. The album has a vitality and irresistible energy which is impossible not to be swept up in. It’s an exciting and confident debut to introduce a new, and invigorating talent. Notes for a Maiden Warrior is a striking debut, effortlessly succeeding in captivating the heart, as well as the ear.





Track Listing:
1.The Mother Within 03:05
2.Bloodthirsty 02:36
3.Aoife 04:19
4.The Red (Maca's Return) 03:00
5.The Magpie 06:08
6.Samson and Goliath 03:45
7.Love Part One 03:16
8.Love Part Two 02:55
9.Love Part Three 04:27
10.Three Wise Women 02:25


Media Report:
Genre: acoustic, folk
Country: Ireland
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits