MIGRANTS’ SONG CYCLE is the result of shared stories of migration and belonging from Anglo-Brazilian duo Hannah Dunster and Fernando Machado working as Lambrego, in creative partnership with award-winning Indian designer, director of moving image technology, Akhila Krishnan. As recipients of the English Folk Song and Dance Society’s Alan James Creative Bursay and Residency Programme in 2019-20, their collaborative work followed the evolving nature of migrancy, music and community in England through a fusion of world and English folk music. The result is the creative work known as MIGRANTS’ SONG CYCLE, a unique album whose songs follow the pattern or cycle of migration as Lambrego’s guitarist, Fernando Machado explains:

 

“We came together with the aim of creating a project of shared stories of migration and belonging. When creating the song cycle, we exchanged stories with people who have migrated to the south of England. With roots spanning from Cyprus, Ireland, France, Syria, Israel, India, Brazil, Argentina, United States, Senegal and Portugal, as well as British born with migrant ancestry, together we found a cycle of universal themes encompassing Home - Journey - Encounter – Saudades (longing) - New Roots and then finally returning back to Home.”

 

“Onde Começa” (Where it Begins) starts the cycle of songs on the album, followed by a tale of leaving the security of home on “Winter Wreath”. The journey to a new land on  “Beira Do Mar” (Sea Shore) explores what it feels like to leave and also to be left behind, themes which are represented by the turning tides of the sea. Encountering new people and ways of living and the fears that arise as part of this, is the subject for “Wolf”.

 

“Collectives” is the single from MIGRANTS’ SONG CYCLE and draws on the migrant experience of finding oneself caught up and embroiled in a new, unpredictable political system within which one has no power. “Collectives”, as viewed through the imagery of collective bird nouns explores corruption, manipulation and trickery through a parliament of rooks, a murder of crows and a mischief of magpies whilst encouraging the ever-hopeful exulting skylarks to rise above the noise and keep on singing. “Collectives” was composed by Lambrego in collaboration with Beatriz Tomaz and arranged in collaboration with Iyatra Quartet. One of the closing songs of MIGRANTS’ SONG CYCLE is “Saudades” which translates as longing. As Hannah Dunster says:

 

“We have chosen “Collectives” as the single because it represents our collaborative nature rather than one niche of English or Brazilian folk music. It is also very representative of the Migrants’ Song Cycle project. All the songs draw on universal themes connected to the migrant experience at different stages of their journey. “Collectives” in particular represents the lack of control people have over political scheming and in-fighting whilst simultaneously celebrating the right to protest, the fight for moral integrity and never giving up the right to live with dignity.”

 

The music and lyrics on MIGRANTS’ SONG CYCLE were written by Fernando Machado and Hannah Dunster and are performed by guest musicians and singers in English, Portuguese, Mandinka and Hebrew. The album has 12 original songs performed by 17 musicians whose roots span five continents. For the launch concert at Cecil Sharp House, Lambrego will be joined by Enrique Galassi on double bass; Alba Cabral on percussion with Tracey Milliner and Noga Ritter on vocals.

 

 

Concept: Fernando Machado, Hannah Dunster, Akhila Krishnan
Music & Lyrics: Fernando Machado and Hannah Dunster
Art & Design: Akhila Krishnan

Lambrego: Fernando Machado (guitar and vocals), Hannah Dunster (flute and vocals)

Special Guest Musicians:  Enrique Galassi (double bass), Alba Cabral (percussion), Tracey Milliner (vocals), Noga Ritter (vocals)

Album Project Presentation: Akhila Krishnan

Album Design: Akhila Krishnan