Beltane
Are:
Paul
Handley: Synthesisers/
Electronic Programming/ Bass Guitar/ Lyrics / Drums & Percussion
Karina
Eames: Vocals/
Guitar
Sophie
Horwood: Vocals
Beltane is
the name of a pre-Christian festival celebrated on the May eve (April 30).
The Beltane fire festival is a celebration of the coming summer and the
death of winter, akin to a New Year celebration. It is still celebrated
in Scotland today.
Beltane likes
to combine technological sounds with conventional instruments, making it
a priority to add life and a human element, within an often-inhuman soundscape.
One of the more aparrant aspects of Beltane's style and sound is the intergration
of light and dark elements and unifcation of polarities. The style of the
band seems to be evolving continually whilst retaining the core-drive and
purpose grounded within their philosophical and emotional outlook and experience.
In spite of integrating dance oriented drum rhythms, the mood of the music
is contemplative, providing space and atmosphere.
Beltane began
in May 96 when vocalist Sarah Manthey collaborated with songwriter Paul
Handley on a studio project. In the end of 96 they recorded four original
songs. Soon after Sarah left for some months to work overseas in the field
of dance theatre. Although Paul continued to song-write it wasn't until
October 97 Beltane began again with a new singer, Karina Eames. Sarah rejoined
at the start of 98 and Beltane operated as a three piece throughout 98 Sarah
then left and once again Beltane remained a two piece.
Beltane finished
recording 8 songs in May 98, and mastered an 11 song, 60 minute CD, of which
a small run of 50 CDR's were made to be used for promotion. The "Dionysian
Blood" (Dec 1999) single is the first official release and is still
currently available. After working with another female vocalist Bonnie Redibratovic,
"The Fire of Becoming", a full-length CD was completed and released
in October 2000. Both releases were self financed and independently released
under the name of Definitive Recordings.
Since 2000
Beltane stopped performing live to focus on recording and video production.
Paul Handley set up a studio ("Electron") to record and produce
Beltane music and videos. All three members have a background in theatre
and visual art which is utilised and developed in the video creation process.
When Beltane re-emerge on the live front, their shows will be presented
in a theatrical vein, incorporating other artistic mediums. Of course this
will take time and resourses to evolve.
In 2003 Beltane
changed their record label name from 'Definitive Recordings' to 'Electron'-
due to the overuse of the word 'Definitive' in the industry.
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