The musical journey of the Kleefstra brothers form The Netherlands began when Jan was looking for some music to accompany his poetry recitals.
He originally used some pieces of William Basinski as a soundtrack which gives some idea of the mood he was looking for.
Brother Romke then stepped in to fill the gap with ambient guitar sounds and "multi-percussionist" Sytze Prulksma is the latest of a growing number of artists the siblings have collaborated with.
Other releases the Kleefstras have been party to, include being one half of the quartet Piiptsjiiling (pronounced 'peep-chilling') with Mariska 'Soccer Committee' Baars and Rutger 'Machinefabriek' Zuydervelt.
Jan writes in Frisian, the native language of Friesland situated in the northern province of The Netherlands which linguists claim is closely related to Old English.
Unless your are fortunate enough to be one of around 700,000 people on the planet who can speak this language you won't have the faintest idea what Jan is being poetic about. A hint about the content can be gleaned from the fact tracks (Stadich lit ik dy kalder wurde) translates roughly as 'Slowly I Let You Grow Colder'.
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But precise meaning hardly matters and in many respects not understanding his words enhances a listening experiencing which aims to transport the listener to another space/place.
Deisleiper is the Frisian word for nightjar or daysleeper, an appropriate title for these sonic meditations with a very dreamlike character.
The album consists of five uncut minimalist improvisations which are is no hurry to go anywhere.
Jan's gentle yet resonant voice plays a key role in the experience but his poetry is rarely central, often the words come near the end of the drifting instrumental passages that would not be out of place in some of Can's finest work or on similarly atmospheric albums like David Sylvian's Blemish.
The effect is very mysterious and rather magical.
Keefstra Blogspot
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