Drawing on the mysterious worlds of Celtic mythology, ancient folklore and vividly imagined realms, SeeD have been making an impact within the spheres of European fantasy and pagan folk. Based between The Netherlands and Ireland, the band brings together traditional folk influences, acoustic instrumentation and storytelling inspired by the world of the Fae. Their music lands in a space where childhood wonder meets mythological imagination, transforming tales of fantastical creatures and dreamlike landscapes into original compositions that feel tethered to tradition while forging an output that’s entirely their own.
Formed by brothers Lars and Koen Van Egmond, SeeD began as a smaller musical project before blooming into the five-piece ensemble heard on their more recent recordings. Following several line-up changes, Robin Dekker and Sara Weeda joined the brothers to record the band’s debut album, Portal to Elfland, back in 2015. Its successor, Through the Veil, arrived in 2017, continuing their exploration of folklore and the imagined worlds that have remained central to their songwriting. In 2019, Irish guitarist Joe Hennon joined the group, bringing further experience from his work with accomplished folk acts Shantalla and OMNIA.
The band’s musical world draws inspiration from children’s stories, Celtic mythology and fantasy classics, including The Lord of the Rings novels and the film The Dark Crystal. The world of the Fae provides a recurring source of inspiration, offering a vast imaginative space in which thoughts, myths and tales can take musical form. Instrumentally, the band favour an expansive acoustic fabric that brings together flutes, whistles, guitars, mandolin, percussion and sliding didgeridoo.
These sounds are complemented by the voices of all five members, with songs performed in Dutch, Irish and English, a combination which creates a musical offering informed by multiple cultural influences, allowing traditional-sounding textures to sit alongside more unusual instrumental choices. In August 2022, SeeD released Fae, their third album and first recorded as a five-piece while regular performers on the European Pagan, Medieval, Fantasy and Folk festival circuits have seen SeeD have play across The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK.
The band are now preparing their next album, set for release next year and following the single “Bloem,” they now return with their brand new outing titled “Wyld Things,” a track that captures the group’s lyrical and musical identity in a single composition. Expected to become the title track of their forthcoming album, the single offers another window into SeeD’s imaginative universe, offering an engrossing soundscape where a traditional folk arrangement wraps around their highly imaginative songwriting.
Drifting into view with the swell of airy textures, the song forms with an immersive atmosphere as intricate acoustic guitar plucks gently introduce delicate melodic leads. Gathering pace with lively strums, the band’s stacked vocal layers enter to spin picture painting lyricism to transport listeners to a mystical setting while playful flutters of flute dance atop the rising energy of the arrangement. Pattering percussion builds up the rhythmic momentum as theatrical call-and-response vocals float between flickering flute lines and flourishes guitar flashes.
Catchy, singalong lines ring out among the invigorating arrangement before the song slips into a dreamy passage of sweeping moments of alluring vocals, casting a truly mesmeric scene before a breakdown brings steady kick and bright vocalisations, resulting in a truly thrilling listening experience from start to finish. It’s a spectacular display of the band’s creativity, fiercely original sonic vision and exquisite musicianship flair. With another full-length record set to continue building the wholly absorbing musical world they’ve been creating, SeeD are set to unveil an enticing new chapter in their riveting artistic story.
Listen to Wyld Things below
More from Music
Frannie B drops new single “Echo”
Based in Oxford, Frannie B has been making an impact in the UK music scene with a pop-focused sound that …
Brand new single from Nick Norton-Smith
London-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Norton-Smith has built a decorated career across an unusually diverse musical landscape, moving between film, …
New full-length record from Divergent
While some musical ambitions take a little longer to find their moment, the journey for Iowa-based trio Divergent has been …
