Three albums in, Steven R. Smith’s new Hala Strana project has delivered its first masterpiece. Following his first two full-lengths from last autumn (Hala Strana on Emperor Jones and the limited edition Fielding on Jewelled Antler) comes These Villages, a further culmination of Smith’s interest in Eastern European folk music. Smith’s original, instrumental compositions are peppered with interpretations of traditional songs, presenting a collision of the musical interests throughout his rather prolific career (both as a solo artist and as a member of Thuja). Built upon layers of sustained drone & delicately plucked and bowed strings, These Villages creates a seamless, almost raga-like environment, with plenty of quiet-loud dynamics. It's a dark record, a definite work of beauty, and a perfect soundtrack for autumn's changing leaves and howling winds. Perfect for fans of Jewelled Antler music, the Constellation roster and current Finnish psych folk (Avarus, Kemialliset Ystävät).

Steven R. Smith began his career as a member of the kraut-influenced rock unit Mirza. During this time, Smith began creating instrumental solo records at a feverish pace. His early solo efforts appeared on Darla and Autopia, with the majority released on the Emperor Jones label. After Mirza dissolved, Smith formed Thuja with Mirza band mate Glenn Donaldson, Loren Chasse and Rob Reger. The much quieter sounds created by Thuja loosely mirrored the approach taken by Smith for his solo efforts. Smith’s solo records steadily continued until 2002, when Smith introduced his new endeavor, Hala Strana. Though always present in his work, Hala Strana sought to work exclusively with the scales and melodies found in the village music of Eastern European countries (i.e. Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania, etc). The music should not be treated as ethnological preservation. In the same manner from which The Band transformed the sounds of early Americana into their own brand of timeless music, Hala Strana has abstracted these melodies and turned them into something uniquely their own. These Villages is the latest chapter in the incredibly interesting and unique career of Steven R. Smith.