Thistle Sifter + Kayleigh Beard
Simplon UP:
Dreamy symphonic pop
Thistle Sifter is the cinematic post-rock project of English musician Pete Barnes (Utrecht, NL). Catapulted into disarray following a serious cycling accident in November 2020, Thistle Sifter became a platform for Barnes to express his personal struggles and emotions, transporting listeners into an ethereal world of serene post-rock, spacey synth ambience, evolving soundscapes & lo-fi folk.
Forever The Optimist is Barnes’ latest and most ambitious work to date, offering a more eclectic and symphonic sound to his ever-expanding body of work. Where previous albums A Spectral Moon (2022) and Circles (2024) strongly focused on personal struggles with health, acceptance and letting go of the past. Forever The Optimist deals with existential issues caused by man's neglect of our natural environment and fellow humans in the pursuit of neverending growth. Come and experience the new work by Thistle Sifter at Simplon UP!
Kayleigh Beard is a producer and one-woman-band from Groningen who creates alternative electronic pop with dreamy basslines and powerful beats. Her music is both introspective and energetic, as well as atmospheric and danceable, carried by spacious vocals and rich synth layers. After the release of her debut album in 2020, she was selected for the Popronde. With support from Sena, her new album is now in the works: Mutations.
This album explores the cycle of change and the journey from vulnerability to strength. The album is infused with nature metaphors and feminine energy - a discovery of the wild woman within, connected to the earth. Mutations is expected in early April and will also be available on eco vinyl.
