Matt’s main instrument is violin and he is entirely self-taught. The story goes that, at 18, he was given a friend’s grandfather’s violin and then alienated friends and family over a two year period, finally unleashing himself upon an unsuspecting public in the streets of Newark, Lincoln and Grantham. He moved to Sheffield in 1986 and was part of the vibrant music scene in Sheffield playing in The Glass Hammers, Pigsix 4, Yonni, and Stiki.
Sieben exists because of the classic Chinese text I Ching. Matt was given a reading by a friend which told him to make music he wanted to, not the music he thought people would like. This led to Matt throwing himself into a fully solo career, which indulged and channelled his fantasy and passion into violin and voice.
The premise and spirit of Sieben is layers – layers of instrument and voice that hypnotically draws you into a world of emotion. Lyrically, the themes shift and change from album to album, but are linked by the same sense of dissonance – the smooth, superficially melodious voice belies the dark, quick, twisted stories. Intelligent, quirky use of metaphor and archaic language is set against a backdrop of texture rich music.
The first Sieben album is ‘Forbid The Sun's Escape' (1999) on Tony Wakeford's label Tursa and distributed by World Serpent. The second album was 'The Line And The Hook' (2001) on Matt's own label Redroom. Sieben then signed to Trisol and released on their sublabel Iceflower the albums 'Our Solitary Confinement' (2002), which was Album Of The Month in Germany's Orkus magazine, ‘Sex And Wildflowers’ (2003), ‘Ogham Inside The Night' (2005), ‘High Broad Field’ (2006) and ‘Desire Rites’ (2007). Then Matt Howden returned Sieben to his own label Redroom and there released 'As They Should Sound' (2009), 'Star Wood Brick Firmament' (2010) and 'No Less Than All' (2012).
As alluded to within album credits and lyrics Matt has a deep love of Burnley F.C., curry, kebabs and cider from Wilkes Farm, Somerset.
The central place of the violin and Howden's unusual way of playing it give's Sieben a distinct sound which makes comparison difficult. Whilst, Sieben is frequently classified as neofolk, gothic & experimental and could be as well described as alternative, indie, melancholy freak folk ....the list goes on. Definitively Sieben, and Matt Howden, are best described as unique.
Sieben's Home Page is located at: http://www.matthowden.com/
Northern Lights
Sieben Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when we wake we’re Northern Lights,
a shimmering of satellite.
Leave this stage, cut the light
take our place in the ether.
And when we sing we’re Northern Lights,
glistening satellite.
give ourselves to the ether.
The lyrics of "Northern Lights" by Sieben convey a sense of ethereal beauty and transcendence. The opening lines, "And when we wake we're Northern Lights, a shimmering of satellite," suggest a profound awakening and transformation, likening the waking state to the radiant phenomenon of the Northern Lights. This comparison implies a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and mystery of existence, highlighting the idea of human connection to the cosmos.
The reference to being "a shimmering of satellite" evokes images of cosmic bodies and celestial beings, hinting at a connection to something greater than ourselves. This imagery of shining brightly like a satellite in the night sky could symbolize the idea of radiating energy and light, both internally and externally. The mention of "cut the light" could signify a departure from the ordinary, mundane world and a surrender to a higher, more spiritual plane of existence.
The repetition of the phrase "Northern Lights" reinforces the central theme of the song and emphasizes the transformative power of this natural phenomenon. The lyrics suggest a sense of unity and harmony with the universe, as if the act of singing or performing becomes a sacred ritual that connects the individuals to the cosmic energy of the Northern Lights. The line "give ourselves to the ether" further emphasizes this idea of surrendering to the mysterious and intangible forces at play in the universe.
Overall, the lyrics of "Northern Lights" by Sieben evoke a sense of otherworldly beauty and spiritual awakening. The imagery of the Northern Lights serves as a powerful metaphor for connection, transformation, and transcendence, inviting listeners to reflect on their own place in the grand scheme of existence. The song's ethereal quality and poetic language create a dreamlike atmosphere that encourages introspection and contemplation of the profound mysteries of life and the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
And when we wake we’re Northern Lights,
Just as the Northern Lights illuminate the sky when they appear, we too bring light and color to the world when we awaken.
a shimmering of satellite.
Our presence and energy are like a satellite that shines brightly and enhances the beauty of our surroundings.
Leave this stage, cut the light
It's time for us to leave our current situation behind and remove all distractions or obstacles that prevent us from truly shining.
take our place in the ether.
We are meant to exist in the intangible realm of the ether, where our energy and essence can freely flow and connect with the universe.
And when we sing we’re Northern Lights,
Just like the Northern Lights captivate and enchant observers with their beauty, our voices and expressions have the power to mesmerize and captivate those around us.
glistening satellite.
Our presence and actions are like a gleaming satellite in the sky, shining brightly and leaving a lasting impression on others.
give ourselves to the ether.
We should fully surrender ourselves to the intangible realm of the ether, allowing our true selves to be free and unrestricted by earthly limitations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATT HOWDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cathrin Aufermann
Thank you so much! This was absolutely stunningly beautiful and it brightened up my monday morning :-)
Matt Howden
Lovely to hear, Cathrin, thank you- and it's my pleasure to do so :) Adding on each day here, and a concert each Friday.