Podcast | ProgRock.com PodCasts
Nickie’s Niches #58: October 2026
Start Artist Song Time Album Year 0:01:08 Morgonrode Den som går ut 6:46 Det som blir 2024 0:08:26 Sairie The Breeze on the Meadow 3:46 Beneath the Spreading Tree 2026 0:12:35 Andy Aquarius The Soft And Silent Pastures 5:49 Vale Of Tears 2026 0:18:52 Baka Beyond Fair Molly (Mál Bhán Ní Chuilleanáin) 5:08 Sing the World Awake 2026 0:24:15 Michael Trew The Valley The Shadow 2:42 Shaniko b/w The Valley The Shadow 2026 0:27:32 Niyaz Love 4:33 Seven Realms of Attar 2026 0:32:24 Tyler Kamen Under Your Skin 3:22 Single 2026 0:36:00 Blanco White So Certain (Something Reminds Me) 5:07 Single 2025 0:41:20 The Thorn La Pernette 5:41 Single 2026 0:47:29 Spell Songs Bells Fall Still 3:56 In Thin Air 2026 0:51:44 Raphael Weinroth-Browne Sanctum 5:15 Empyrean 2026 Det som blir by Morgonrode favorite track Den som går ut Norwegian folk rock outfit sports not one, but three hardanger fiddle players, as well as violins and langeleik, a traditional droned zither. Everyone sings, too. Their sound includes elements of jazz as well, and the result is mesmerizing. Beneath the Spreading Tree by Sairie favorite track The Breeze on the Meadow Sairie is a psych folk sextet from Brighton, who’ve only released singles and EPs, until now. The dulcetly soaring female vocalist is at the fore most of the time, with a male vocalist joining in, and even being featured for a few tunes. Otherwise, autoharp, guitar, harmonium, bass, violin, cello, accordion, and percussion are the instruments, with the electric guitar in particular being a fine juxtaposition to the soprano female vocalist. Vale Of Tears by Andy Aquarius favorite track The Soft And Silent Pastures This thoughtful wyrd folk artist from Berlin returns with a full-length release. He’s deeply inspired by nature and holy places, and these songs reflect his wanderings and ponderings. He plays all instruments, including Celtic harp, and provides vocals as well. This is a lovely addition to his catalogue, and is best heard from start to finish. Sing the World Awake by Baka Beyond favorite track Fair Molly (Mál Bhán Ní Chuilleanáin) Stalwart Afro-Celt musicians Baka Beyond, whose catalogue spans 30 years, are back after a 12-year recording drought. Instruments are guitars, bass, drums and percussion, violin, and various vocalists. From energetic to trance-inducing, there is something for everyone who loves this kind of music. Shaniko b/w The Valley The Shadow by Michael Trew I’m always eager to hear what Michael Trew has come up with, and never disappointed. This is a true single format, with two pieces, both with his wonderfully evocative vocals at the fore, a bit of a retro alt/rock feel. Both are exceptionally moving, but I’m going with, “The Valley Of The Shadow.” SEVEN REALMS OF ATTAR by NIYAZ favorite track LOVE Niyaz is an amalgamation of Middle Eastern, world, and electronica, composed and performed by Azam Ali and Loga Ramin Torkian. Azam Ali provides voice, beats & programming, percussion and keyboards; Loga Ramin Torkian plays kamaan, guitar-viol, robab, lafta, kopuz, electric guitar, additional programming, and keyboards; and they are joined by Sinan Cem Eroglu on kopuz, kaval, and voice. The overall effect is cinematic and mesmerizing. Under Your Skin by Tyler Kamen Tyler Kamen has release this single, that’s a bit more idiosyncratic (if that can be said), than his previous outings perhaps because it’s a standalone piece. It is still outstanding psych/folk/rock, so never fear, with a forceful wash of guitars and vocals. Hopefully a new full-length release is in the works. Blanco White “So Certain (Something Reminds Me) 2026 (5:17) Single Utterly haunting single from Blanco White, with his quavery voice, chilling harmonies, and shimmery violin. Hoping for another full-length release here, too. La Pernette by The Thorn As expected, The Thorn deliver the goods with this latest single, a traditional French ballad. Lysergically tinged heavy guitars are the perfect foil to the crystal clear vocals of Naomi Randall. In Thin Air by Spell Songs favorite track Bells Fall Still Seven stellar musicians make up Spell Songs. On this recording, it’s all about the birds, inspired by a book about them, their habitats, and their increasing vulnerability. Instruments are all manner of guitars, bass, whistles, kora, piano other keyboards and synths, electroharp, viola, cello, ukulele, drums and other percussion, and everyone sings. Spellbinding. Empyrean by Raphael Weinroth-Browne favorite track Sanctum The fiery looping cellist is back with a new release, after issuing several singles ahead of the fact. Here, he does return to his usual slow burns working up to mayhem, but this time there’s not just fire, but also some really luxuriantly warm pieces to settle in with.
