Nickie’s Niches #51: March 2026

Start Artist Song Time Album Year 0:02:02 Høly River Horizon 4:19 Day is Born 2025 0:06:40 Mediæval Bæbes 11 November 4:49 The Spinning Wheel 2025 0:11:56 Tenk Van Dool and Paul Sears Katie and Natalie[featuring Clara Belle Hembree] 5:33 Basal Ardor 2026 0:17:58 Ye Vagabonds The Flood 3:17 All Tied Together 2026 0:21:35 Songleikr Elden Melder 3:40 Fuglefolk 2026 0:25:53 Kwoon Swan 3:25 Unplugged from the Moon 2025 0:29:37 L’Antidote Desert Plant 6:12 L’Antidote 2025 0:36:13 Ão Me Condena 4:01 Malandra 2026 0:40:43 Karda Estra Andraiad 8:22 Eve 2001 0:49:18 Olivia Chaney Dark Eyed Sailor 5:06 Single 2026 Day is Born by Høly River favorite track Horizon From Richmond, VA, I was introduced to this exceptional duo via ProgArchives, in a “Best of 2025” members poll. This is folk with a bit of a spiritual twist, there is a feeling of ritualistic celebration of nature throughout. They toss in some banjo, trumpet, violin, and I think that is didgeridoo as well. Hypnotic. The Spinning Wheel by Mediæval Bæbes favorite track November Mediæval Bæbes have released these 12 tracks in honour of the twelve months of the year. As usual, they bring lush and gorgeous intertwining vocals and plenty of exotic instrumentation (just far too many to list, so you’ll have to trust me). Every track is a masterwork, but choosing November as being representative of the release. Basal Ardor by Tenk Van Dool / Paul Sears favorite track Katie and Natalie The second outing from this duo, with Paul Sears on drums and percussion, and Tenk Van Dool on guitars, bass, mandolin, keyboard, and various synths. There are some guest vocals, as well as guests on guitars, bass, flute, and woodwinds. Experimental progressive heavily laced with jazz, and they’ve spiked it with a bit of psych as well. All Tied Together by Ye Vagabonds favorite track The Flood Led by the Mac Gloinn brothers, they bring lovely acoustic folk, blending their original lyrics with a traditional Irish folk sound (imagine smoky pubs and busking on street corners). The harmonies are simply gorgeous, and always at center. But the stories and their presentation are what is so captivating about this release. Instruments include what you might expect (guitars, fiddle, accordions), plus a few surprises along the way, like some synthesizer here and there. Fuglefolk by Songleikr favorite track Elden Melder This Nordic folk act has waited 10 years since their first release to bring us this second one. They lean heavily into traditional sound with their original material. Recorded live in studio, with their captivating vocal harmonies, the core band, plus a few guest musicians, makes this feel like a pagan village celebration. Unplugged From The Moon by Kwoon favorite track Swan Kwoon is French post-rock band led by Sandy Lavallart, here presenting material in a stripped down, acoustic setting. The material is hauntingly melancholic and contemplative. There is some electric guitar, keyboards, strings, and a female harmony on one of the tunes. Stark and lovely. L’Antidote “L’Antidote” 2025 From France, this world class trio combines cello, piano, and percussion, which sounds simple, but it’s decidedly complex. Their music is a rich tapestry of world, folk, jazz, and classical. Prepare to be mesmerized. Favourite Track: Desert Plant (6:31) Malandra by Ão favorite track Me Condena Belgian artists Ão combine electronica, art pop, saudade, and alt Latin music into a tantalizing mélange. Honey-voiced lead singer Brenda Corijn sings in Portuguese and English, with the band providing guitars, electronics, and percussion. Altogether, it’s an irresistably heady mix. Eve (2026 remaster) by Karda Estra favorite track Andraiad Multi-instrumentalist and composer Richard Wileman has issued this remastered release, and it is well worth revisiting, or perhaps, discovering for the first time. Inspired by the 1886 gothic novel “The Future Eve,” Richard blends chamber and progressive music expertly, using both electric and acoustic instrumentation. He has a signature delicacy to all of his works, they differ greatly, yet you hear his ear and his hand in each of them. Dark Eyed Sailor by Olivia Chaney Olivia Chaney has released this single, due to it’s inclusion in the new Wuthering Heights film. Production is spare, featuring her lovely voice accompanied by harmonium. Superb.