Enclin Déclin Twenty-Three Hanging Trees

Twenty-Three Hanging Trees is French-born artist Xavier Watkins, based in the UK for over two decades now. Initially gaining recognition as the guitarist for the critically acclaimed Fuzzy Lights, where they explored the intersections of experimental, folk, and post-rock, Twenty-Three Hanging Trees has since transitioned into the world of electronic music and modern composition.

While Twenty-Three Hanging Trees’s early work centred around the electric guitar, their creative focus has dramatically shifted in the last five years. Influenced by avant-garde pioneers like Phil Niblock, Pauline Oliveros, and Eliane Radigue, Twenty-Three Hanging Trees has immersed themselves in the possibilities of modular synthesis. This exploration led to a series of solo cassette releases across various labels including Woodford Halse, Sacred Tapes, Extreme Ultimate, a book soundtrack on Bibliotapes and a track on Castles in Space.

Twenty-Three Hanging Trees delve into the intricacies of drone and ambient soundscapes. Weaving together dusty aural textures and contemplative melodies, shimmering drones, hissing loops, and subaquatic harmonics.

Latest release, "Enclin déclin", represents a culmination of this evolution. The first track features a collaboration with saxophonist Barnaby Hodges, weaving breathy, organic tones into the synthetic textures of the modular synth. The second track introduces Rachel Watkins on violin, whose nuanced playing interacts with the ever-evolving electronic soundscape, creating a dialogue between the acoustic and electronic worlds.

"Enclin déclin" showcases Twenty-Three Hanging Trees’s commitment to exploring harmony within drone, offering listeners a meditative and immersive experience. As Twenty-Three Hanging Trees continues to push the boundaries of modern composition, their work stands as a testament to the power of experimentation and the endless possibilities of sound.