Niels Rønsholdt's solo project Aftermath describes cities, landscapes, and communities in decay. In 14 songs, the album travels along the iconic American highway, from New York across Ohio and Tennessee to Louisiana, and observes a slow collapse of climate, economy and communities. The classic road trip's dream of freedom fades into bewildered loneliness and remorse, yet fragile hopes of spring and new generations glimmer.
Aftermath is released by Dacapo Records on streaming platforms on 18 April and will be released on vinyl later this year.
A distorted reflection
Aftermath is inspired by impressions such as the first signs of spring in Brooklyn, a shabby motel in Memphis and the remains of the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans. But the album is also a exploration of the dominance of American culture in the 20th century. Where is the line between ‘our’ European culture and the American culture that we have grown up with for generations?
‘The songs are also a reflection on the encounter with our own distorted reflection as Europeans in the US: So much is familiar, so much points back to deep cultural memories and roots. And yet most of it is foreign and unapproachable. This feeling of having come home and being a visitor at the same time is the basis for the songs and the way they are sung,’ says Niels Rønsholdt.
Method composition
It is not the first time Niels Rønsholdt has dealt with this duality. In his cello concerto Country for chamber orchestra and singing solo cellist, he takes a both affectionate and critical look at American country music with its stereotypes and ideals of authenticity.
For the 14 songs on Aftermath, Niels Rønsholdt has drawn inspiration from the Americana and singer-songwriter tradition. Trained as a classical composer, Rønsholdt constantly works to challenge the boundaries of genre: ‘I see Aftermath as a natural continuation of my work with what i call ‘method composition’. I work conceptually with personas and narratives and here I describe what I encounter in the language of the place itself,’ he explains.
Aftermath will be performed in a live version on 15 May in Aarhus at SPOR Festival.