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The Absolute Elsewhere

by Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Includes each photo by DividingMe Photography that inspired the song and all lyrics.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $12 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in a beautiful Zero Carbon Footprint Digipak with a 16 page booklet with all lyrics and photos/art by DividingMe Photography that inspired the songs.

    Includes unlimited streaming of The Absolute Elsewhere via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 4 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 8 Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Wind That Shakes the Barley, I'll Hold You, Staring at the Sun, Jockey Full of Bourbon, The Absolute Elsewhere, Live on All Hallows' Evening, Muses and Bones, and Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $32.25 USD or more (25% OFF)

     

1.
The End 05:24
Inside my head, it seems to me most everything that's true is not for you. So far away, Oceans apart you'll be the end of me, it's true, I'm through. The seas were pounding against her shores, the winds swept 'cross the mores, for time and space and yearning for things gone by. Personify the things in us we lost or never had. The starlit night will bring you haste, the twisted lip aside. Inside my head, it seems to me most everything that's true is not for you. So far away, Oceans apart you'll be the end of me, it's true, I'm through. Bring high adventure to our lives and logic to our biased minds Success of all our failures hence, escape from our imprisonment. Set right the wrongs with which the world is plagued for you and I Swirling fog and acrid smoke bite us deep inside, bite us deep inside. So far away, Oceans apart you'll be the end of me, it's true, I'm through.
2.
October 05:28
Walk along with me beside the twisted branches. By seed and root and flower and fruit, Dark Mother take me in. You, who knows the secrets of my heart you kiss me softly as the mist rolls in. I adore thee, to the end. Speak with me under the tree, beyond this fragile veil. I'm in the mood for sandalwood and clove and orange peel. You, who's blood is running through my veins I'll never miss you on this day of wane. I adore thee, to the end. The night has called us He rides into the marshes May you guide us and protect us The time of death is here. Summer's ending, shadows lengthen Black bird, come home. Leaves are falling 'round us winter is upon us We shall survive these fears of reconciling. The night has called us He rides into the marshes May you guide us and protect us The time of death is here. The night has called us He rides into the marshes May you guide us and protect us It turns again, the Wheel of the Year.
3.
Listen to the earth again, harmony is forgotten. I will be with you until the end. Through our conflict and our pain we shall break away these chains. I will show you what you need to see. Strength and wisdom vibrating through our lifelong families, deep inside the ground I hear them calling. Meet me by the river. Listen to the rhythm of my song. In my dreams, all's well here. Safe from harm. Rest in Peace. Listen to the earth again, I can feel it in my bones. I will love you always til the end. Sounding out the ancient ones, trunk in fin we hold our bonds. Deep inside the ground I hear them calling.
4.
Engastrimyth 04:21
All around the world there seems to be apples in the trees for you and me, but if you find a place that's safe and warm, the demons in your dreams will find a way to crawl into the cracks and hide at bay. but if you feed them and stroke them and love them and carry them in your pocket to jump out whenever you're feeling a little insecure they'll... They'll soothe you and kiss you and hold your hand. They'll hug you and hit you and reprimand. Soothe you and kiss you and hold your hand. They'll hug you and hit you and reprimand. but if you feed them and stroke them and love them and carry them in your pocket to jump out whenever you're feeling a little insecure they'll... But I'll stay strong and levelheaded. It's all a phase of ego mania. With all the nights and days of weeping, you sure do act like you're my oyster. But I still know the truth. You're a plain engastrimyth. They'll soothe you and kiss you and hold your hand. They'll hug you and hit you and reprimand. Soothe you and kiss you and hold your hand. They'll hug you and hit you and reprimand. but if you feed them and stroke them and love them and carry them in your pocket to jump out whenever you're feeling a little insecure they'll... Eat you from the inside out.
5.
Of Sirenuse 04:54
Muses of the world, sailing towards her song Close your eyes and close your hearts the song of death is near. Like a sphinx, a windless calm that knows you're here. Feathered woman, not quite human. Skin of silver, skin of soul, that which makes her whole. Lost and cracked, find your path back and dance. Dance to live, dance will bring you back again Dance to live, dance will bring you back again Starve to death in the garden of life. Urges that your bodies feel, but minds refuse to hear The ancient island in the sea is wise beyond your years. Dance to live, dance will bring you back again Dance to live, dance will bring you back again Waves crash over, it's hard to see most every man is abandoning the ship that crosses your siren song. Love flies deep and passion wounds.
6.
Wings fall so far down to save us. Under the tree there, I cried "Change me." Burning one, gold and red, bind what is in the dark. Rage consumes me, I'm not ready to love. Up in the night sky, carry me so high I feel the warmth of your breath Up in the white sky, carry me so high I see the light of your face. But I'm not ready, I'm not ready I fall so far, I am broken. In this life, I know that I can transcend this hate and strife, but rage consumes me, I'm not ready to love Up in the night sky, carry me so high I feel your breath Up in the white sky, carry me so high I see your face. Peace, be still and know that I AM.
7.
La luna llora La tierra tiembla Invito, besa mis labios con tu luz sagrada Mis llamas tocan tu cielo Luna constante, nunca duermes Estrellas bailan Iluminando tu alma Veo tu cara detrás del velo, quédate conmigo. La vuelta al cielo me lleve bajo Madre de maravillas, brillando esta noche con una luz tan brillante, puede moverte en la oscuridad Hojas crecen, mareas fluyen El amor siempre está presente persiguiendo la noche como si nunca se fuese a acabar, a esta hora encantada. (Translation) The moon cries. The earth trembles I invite you, kiss my lips with your holy light. My flames touch your sky. The moon, constant Stars dance illuminating your soul I see your face behind the veil, stay with me Back to heaven, take me under Mother of wonders, shining tonight with such a bright light, you can move around in the dark? Leaves grow, tides flow Love is always present, chasing the night as if it were never to end, in this enchanted hour
8.
Walking through the garden, tasting all the flowers Smelling all the colors of all of life in here, the dirt under my feet. Walking on the spiral path where the end is the beginning, where the end is the beginning, where the end is the beginning. Falling down the tunnel it's dark in here, I can't see my feet. There's something glistening in the corner, it's walking towards me. Spider said to me "You need to clear the webs from your heart, and be with me." She touched me with her leg, prickly and serene and the blood spilled in my heart and wept for me, in the cave, under the earth, that said to me, "You have to take care of me. You have to take care of me." Walking through the garden, tasting all the flowers Smelling all the colors of all of life in here, the dirt under my feet. where the end is the beginning, where the end is the beginning, where the end is the beginning, Always undefined and honoring everybody, as if the moment would come and end suffering.
9.
In the times of concentration comes the wave of fierce frustration and the shaking of your waking dreams. Please, try to wake up, I'll be waiting on the mountain, Crescent Moon Bear. I'll feed you if you let me stand close by. Why do you seethe in my presence? I only want to show you my love. Try to trust me crescent moon bear from your snow cave, shadows lurk there. I'll feed you if you let me touch your face. I won't chase you. I'll wait outside your door and let you roar. Now I see the world in your eyes. Mountains, valleys, rivers flow there. I see the world in your eyes. Mountains, valleys, rivers flow there. All I ask for, Crescent moon bear, is one single white throat hair. I'll feed you when you're ready to come in.
10.
There hung a mirror on the wall made sure that it would never fall. It was passed by her thrice a day to make her satisfied she was suitable that day. Then a day came when she was not around and all the flowers were safe in the ground. Black bird in the water, sing to me nocturnally. Give me life, emerald eyes, Leave your beauty in disguise. She knew not the expectations of man and strained not to please their wanting hands. Black bird in the water, sing to me nocturnally. Give me life, emerald eyes, Leave your beauty in disguise.
11.
12.
Torment 04:38
Your eyes despise me. It's cold inside. My mind, it lies. My heart, it hides. All of life is in the dark. I can't go on, it's just to hard. If I try, I'll fail tonight. I don't deserve what's real or right.
13.
Choke 04:37
When all there is in the ground, they'll take their spoons and shove them down in the throats of all the ones who paid the price for all the unmistaken vices that we can not live without. When everyone is indisposed, and all around their houses grow and grow and all their words don't mean a thing to anyone who understands the consequences of living like we do. Wasting everything, eating everyone Wasting everything, trashing all the ones that made you possible.

about

"From gypsy jazz, to klezmer rave-ups, to Danny Elfman-esque gothic soundscapes, the music forges a dark yet whimsical path, inspired by photographs from Rusty McDonald of DividingME Photography."

You are invited to escape the everyday world and journey with us to the "Absolute Elsewhere" - A place where characters spring forth from art, music and mythology. A place where artists connect and their visions merge creating a land where dreams and myths breathe and fill space. I was inspired to make my own journey after seeing Rusty's photographs that capture the essence of this enigmatic world. Each image inspired me to create a song and in turn invite a collective of musicians to help acquaint you with the inhabitants and scenery of the mysteriously beautiful "Absolute Elsewhere". Their voices and stories emerge as the process unfolds. They exist only in this place.

credits

released May 19, 2015

Produced by Jim Boitnott and Crystal Bright
All songs/lyrics by Crystal Bright
Recorded/Engineered/Mixed/Co-Produced by Randy Seals at On Pop of the World Studios, except "Crescent Moon Bear" recorded and mixed by Jason Merritt
Mastered by Evan Bradford at Echo Mountain
Cover Art & Design: Rusty McDonald and Crystal Bright
All photos by DividingMe Photography (Rusty McDonald)
Crystal Bright: vocals, piano, accordion, saw, dan bau, adungu, toaster oven rack/pan, stumpf fiddle, percussion
Randy Seals: drums, backup vocals, percussion, tambourine, bass on "Bajando La Luna"
Kevin Dollar: guitars on "Bajando La Luna" and "Of Sireneuse"
Robbie Link: Double Bass, Cello
Diego Diaz: guitars, lapsteel
Bolshevik Bratislava appears on Trumpet, FleugalHorn, Shofar, Harmon, Wah, Cup Mute and Vocals, Courtesy of Jeremy Denman, Studios and Urban Fly Queen Publishing
Adam Collis: trombone
Jonathan Cannon: violin
Ueli Schweizer: violin
Seth Oldham: drums on "Engastrimyth"
Rusty and Nicole McDonald: Vocals on "The End" and "Forest of Dreams"
Taylor Briggs and Zach Koontz: backup vocals on "October" and "Forest of Dreams
Crystal Bright: string arrangements on "Torment," "Tree of Tantalus," "La Dona D'aguia"

Special Thanks: This album could not have happened without the constant mentoring and support of a few people, including Jim Boitnott. He's been involved in the whole process since the beginning and has gone above and beyond what any other human would attempt. I can't express how grateful I am to him. Also, I am infinitely indebted to Brad and Tammy Spencer for their unconditional love and support and giving me a space to create this work. I love you guys so much! Rusty McDonald for his constant inspiration and friendship. This album wouldn't exist without him. I would also like to thank Randy Seals for all of the amazing work he put into this, David Jackson, Joey Barnes, all of the Indiegogo supporters, all of the musicians who made this as big as it could be, and to everyone else who has constantly believed in me and my work, which has allowed me to continue doing what I love. Here's to continual collaborations and friendships!

www.crystalbrightandthesilverhands.com

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Crystal Bright and the Silver Hands Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Crystal's songs heavily incorporate her educational background in Anthropology and Ethnomusicology and her experiences playing in groups that have varied from Mariachi, Chinese, Balinese Gamelan, Samba, to Ugandan ensembles.
"This is what it would sound like if Kate Bush were to genetically fuse with Danny Elfman and Dresden Dolls in some strange biological experiment."
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