Is it a harp or is it a time capsule? Well, why not both?
American harpist Mary Lattimore captures stories, events, and places in sprawling soundscapes. Or, as Pitchfork aptly puts it: “Lattimore knows how to strike a chord in a way that instantly brings back the taste of your fifth birthday cake.” Warm, nostalgic, and sometimes with a rough edge. Lattimore has collaborated with members and producers of iconic bands like Sonic Youth, The Cure, and Slowdive, and her harp music turns out to pair beautifully with reverb-drenched guitars and shoegaze.
Over the past ten years, Lattimore has composed prolifically, often while on the road. Armed with just a harp and a few loop pedals, she invites you into those experiences: to the sea, to a pine-covered forest, to memories of her family dog Otis. Often, they are fleeting moments that change or fade over time — and that’s exactly what makes them so beautiful to hold onto, if only briefly, through music. A perfect artist to admire against the backdrop of a church or another hidden gem in the city. And who knows — “that one performance in Leeuwarden” might just sneak its way into Lattimore’s compositions someday. One can dream.
“The sublime Goodbye, Hotel Arkada has a fondness for abstraction, but touches upon something that is very tangible -and very personal. It’s the kind of record you feel welcome to attach your inner monologue, your memories and meanings to.”
– Shindig! Magazine