SEAN BELL
Countertenor and Performance Artist
Sean Bell presents the album Dowland Downloaded, an exploration of the music of the great British songwriter and lutenist John Dowland (1563-1626) through a contemporary art pop expression.
What happens with the music when the renaissance lute is substituted with a DIY synth? Will it lose its original meaning and aesthetic and only serve as a fragile frame for some wacky synth-pop arrangements? Or could we discover new layers of meaning and different ways of communicating through alternative performance practices?
Armed with a self-built electric baroque guitar and a cassette player, countertenor and performance artist Sean Bell creates his own world where Dowland’s timeless texts and music can unfold.
Dowland Downloaded has had two European tours since its release, the most recent taking place in Spring 2024 across Ireland, the UK, The Netherlands, and Norway. Dowland Downloaded has appeared at both Splendor and Gaudeamus Terrapolis in The Netherlands, and at the Periferien concert series and Black Box Teater in Norway.
Stream or buy the album on Bandcamp
Released March 3rd, 2023
Sean Bell – countertenor, guitars, synths, field recordings
Harald Jordal – producer, sound designer, guitars, piano, supercollider.
All arrangements by Sean Bell and Harald Jordal, except tracks 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 - arrangements by Sean Bell.
Track 10 contains samples of Iben Kjærgaard playing drone bass with whammy.
Mix by Harald Jordal, Sean Bell and Wilf Amis
Mastered by Wilf Amis.
Dowland Downloaded is also avaliable on limited edition tape cassettes, which includes a digital download. Orders can be sent via email.
Released March 3rd, 2023
Sean Bell – countertenor, guitars, synths, field recordings
Harald Jordal – producer, sound designer, guitars, piano, supercollider.
All arrangements by Sean Bell and Harald Jordal, except tracks 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 - arrangements by Sean Bell.
Track 10 contains samples of Iben Kjærgaard playing drone bass with whammy.
Mix by Harald Jordal, Sean Bell and Wilf Amis
Mastered by Wilf Amis.
Dowland Downloaded is also avaliable on limited edition tape cassettes, which includes a digital download. Orders can be sent via email.