Guess we’re only in beginnings of our silence to return, I rise above it and I feel a little lighter. Guess we’re always in destruction of the little things we’d learn, but we’re only gone like singers are till springtime. Let them out if they should let them out... now.
– Kristian Matsson
Kristian Matsson is an indie folk singer/songwriter and guitarist who performs under the stage name of The Tallest Man on Earth. Born in 1983 in Dalarna Sweden, he first broke into music as a member of the group Montezumas. Matsson struck out on his own in 2006, using his stage name, with a five song self-titled EP. Four full-length recordings and one more EP followed. He has been compared stylistically to Bob Dylan in vocal and songwriting skills. His sound is also reminiscent of Nick Drake and Laura Marling. Critics and fans alike have commented on his charismatic stage presence, and in 2008 he was the opening act on several dates for Bon Iver.
The Tallest Man on Earth’s early recordings are sparsely produced, with guitar and voice being the main sonic focus. He has said that the connection between his voice and guitar is so strong, he rarely records them as separately tracked performances. This is also evident on his new recording Dark Bird is Home, with an added twist that he has brought in some electronic elements, acoustic piano, and the occasional horn section and chorus. It’s a bit of a departure from his signature sparse guitar and voice sound, but it is very complimentary and well done. It’s another side of The Tallest Man on Earth, and could be thought of as a combination of Bob Dylan and early Genesis, with a dash of Lou Reed and Simon & Garfunkel.
In regard to his guitar ability, Mattson was classically trained in his early youth, ultimately getting bored with the discipline by the time he finished high school. He was drawn back to the guitar in his early twenties when he discovered the technique of open tunings by listening to Nick Drake recordings, which allowed him to focus on singing while still performing intricate music on the guitar.
Before digging into the tracks on Dark Bird is Home, a quick discussion of the origin of indie folk. The genre developed in the 1990’s from musicians in the indie rock industry who were influenced by folk and classic country music. Early artists include Ani DiFranco and Dan Bern, but the genre now includes such artists as The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Vetiver, Bon Iver and Blind Pilot. Indie Folk is sometimes sparse and acoustic, but can also be lush with electronic elements added. The Tallest Man on Earth’s new recording is a bit of both.
On Dark Bird is Home, The Tallest Man on Earth continues with his penchant for cryptic lyrics poetically fashioned and passionately sung, with his signature guitar style close at hand. This recording is more lushly produced and borders on indie rock, but you can tell that the guitar and vocal is still being recorded as one, keeping to Mattson’s commitment of connection of the two.
Stand out tracks include “Fields of Home,” “Sagres,” “Timothy,” “Beginners,” and the title track. The whole recording is a solid pleasurable listening experience. For those of tender ears, be warned that you will hear a few curse words, however elegantly used. Lyrically the recording is both dark and hopeful, frequently at the same time, with multi-layers of meaning that can be construed in many different ways. As with Bob Dylan or David Crosby’s solo recordings, repeated listening may be needed to acclimate to The Tallest Man on Earth’s lyrical style and vocal quality.
JPR’s Rhythm and News audience contains a beautiful and wide-ranging group of folks both in age and musical preference, I believe The Tallest Man on Earth’s new recording will appeal to many across that wonderful array, as Dark Bird is Home engenders musical elements and sonic signatures that span the decades.
One last thing. I would like to let you know that I am no longer hosting The Folk Show on Sunday evenings, a program I have been a part of since January 2009, to give my complete attention to my morning duties on Open Air. Thanks so much to all of you who listen to the show, for your kind compliments over the years, and to Cindy DeGroft for bringing me into the JPR fold through a chance meeting with my wife, Sharon, at a local farmers market. It is no wonder that I am part of JPR through a delightful synchronicity.
Paul Gerardi is morning host of Open Air on JPR’s Rhythm and News Service. You can find out more about Paul by reading his biography at ijpr.org or by visiting GerardiGems.com.
