Daughter of the Water – “Cast Through the Mistletoe Tree”

Daughter of the Water is a band that I was recently introduced to, and I am so thankful to Anne-Claire from Bad Dog Promotions for sending their music to me. This UK based band plays music with a folk, progressive rock, neo-, and country sound. Which is a very interesting combination. Their new album, Cast Through the Mistletoe Tree was released on River Siren Records, on August 2^nd of this year.

Daughter of the Water is made up of members: Sarah Lambert-Gates, who is the lead singer, providing harmonies; and she also plays the bandola. Bones Huse, (frontman from Morass of Molasses), plays baritone guitar. Daughter of the Water have released three other albums before their latest: Her Kiss is the Whip of the Moon (2021), Feolin (2022), and Hearthstones (2023).

“Cast Through the Mistletoe Tree” was recorded on Sarah’s boat, The Purley Queen, whilst being moored near the Hardwick estate in Oxfordshire. Well, that takes me right back to traffic, who wrote a song “Pearly Queen.” You can even hear the flow of the Thame’s River at times, during the album. Sarah Lambert-Gates is an archaeologist and musical time-traveler. Her pure, crystalline voice has a fragile and ethereal sound quality.

Sarah Lambert-Gates was the singer and co-songwriter with “Desdemona” (a 5-piece guitar driven dream pop band from the early 2000s). She played by John Peel and was recorded by John Mitchell. She became a member of “The Jettes” (with a heavier and edgier vibe). She was also a harmony singer in The Dairy Project (classical chamber choir specializing in early music and madrigals).

She has been singing with classical choirs from the age of 7. Sarah’s songwriting, is influenced by her natural habitat; living on a boat amongst hemlock water-dropwort and crack willow, on the River Thames in rural Oxfordshire. Her music has been compared with Amelia Coburn, Virginia Ashley, Vashti Bunyan, and Kate Bush. Sarah performs as Daughter of the Water, either solo, or as a duo or trio with Bones Huse, John Mitchell, Thom Richards or William Trevelyan, and is often joined by Olga Dikajee on backing vocals.

The mistletoe tree is a stately poplar tree, in Sarah Lambert-Gates’ home field, heavy with distinctive balls of mistletoe. This tree is also at the heart of fellow boater Nick Hayes’ (illustrator of the album cover and author of The Book of Trespass, his forthcoming book, in which he calls it The Medicine Tree). The tree guides Sarah back to her home on many a misty moonlit night and there she witness much beauty, including a barn owl gliding silently by in the dusk.

Sarah explains the context of “Cast Through the Mistletoe Tree,” this way, “The songs were written and recorded on my narrowboat, the Purley Queen, and are influenced by the beautiful surroundings of Hardwick Estate, Oxfordshire. In the boat it’s like living in a bird hide. The songs reflect the perpetual gentle flow of the River Thames, the misty mornings, and evenings in the meadow, where the tall mistletoe tree stands as a guide home when it’s too foggy to find the way. The veil between worlds is explored and time stands still.”

“Ghost Bird,” opens this tranquil and wonderful musical journey. Imagine all you hear is soft female vocals and baritone guitar. Just what the doctor ordered in the dog days of summer. Turn on the air conditioning, find a nice spot to relax and put on some “Daughter of the Water,” and listen to Sarah sing and Bones play. This seems to be a story of an owl that Sarah saw flying by as she walked home from her boat. Sarah sings the sweet lyrics, “Soft bloom on peaches. Dew drops on roses. Birdsong beseeches. Open your heart to love. Ghost bird of twilight. Silent as shadow. Moonbeams of silver. Cast through the mistletoe tree.” A wonderful and calm opener to this delightful surprise of an album.

“Dusty Horse,” is another wonderful showcase for Sarah’s ethereal voice. She sings, “Dusty horse, wander in the mist. Take your path, you can choose your way now. You’re alone and you’ve never felt this freedom,” as Bones Huse, slowly plays guitar.

“Melancholy Midnight,” opens with Bones playing guitar. Then, Sarah sings, “Dark dreams come on sleepless nights. Memories seep into your silent repose. Teardrops on lashes closed up tight. Slide salty to the pillow and trickle down the nose.” Sad lyrics, but with Sarah’s soft and comforting voice there are no worries. So elegant and beautiful.

“Ebbe and Flow,” opens with soft baritone guitar, as Sarah sings, “They say forgiveness is healing, let it go. Then the memories of the past can flow, ebb and flow. And the good times in your head will grow, bloom, and grow.” That is not a problem with this beautiful music.

“Cuckoo,” opens with birdsong and happy baritone guitar chords. Sarah sings, “Sing in the spring, how we listen to your call. Nature can be dark and your egg will be my downfall. Bolder and larger your young they will be. In my woven nest in the leaning linden tree. (The lyrics in their CD booklet is written in a style I remember from Led Zeppelin’s “IV” album. After searching on Google, I found it is called arts and crafts style fonts.) “They are characterized by their handcrafted, organic, and nature-inspired appearance. They often mimic the look of hand-lettering and calligraphy, and can evoke a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and artistry.” Yes, every contour and sound of this album evokes those feelings.

“Rainbells,” slowly opens with soft rainfall and clocktower bells. Plenty of that rain in the UK…at least in the spring. Right now, though, they are suffering in very high temps and would probably, as Genesis once sang, love to hear, “The fall of rain.” from “Mad Man Moon.” Sarah sings the wonderful lyrics of this rain song, “Chimes. Time looping back and crossing with mine. A feeling so Divine. I stood waiting before, then you opened the door. This is what I offer, this is what I give. Constant; ever changing. So, if you climb overboard, and swim in the rain, while the church bells are ringing.” A sad song of longing set to comfortable guitar and clear female vocals.

Daughter of the Water’s “Cast Through the Mistletoe Tree,” is just what the doctor ordered. Calm and mystical music to sooth at night, or throughout the hot summer weekends. Every inch of this album is a kaleidoscope of images and feelings you will wish you could feel every minute of the day. Yes, some of the lyrics are sad and melancholic, but the music is warm and calming. The fact that they performed and recorded this album on a boat makes it even more unique and perfectly quaint. This is the perfect journey of escape from the dog days of a hot summer. Put on Daughter of the Water’s “Cast Through the Mistletoe Tree,” turn on the air conditioning, and let it all go with the flow, of the Thames.

Tracklist

1. Ghost Bird (03:38)

2. Dusty Horse (04:10)

3. Melancholy Midnight (04:36)

4. Ebbe and Flow (02:42)

5. Cuckoo (02:59)

6. Rainbells (05:27)

The album was mixed by Bones Huse. Original “Ghostbird” illustration by Nick Hayes. Sleeve design by Bones Huse. Cover illustration by Nick Hayes. Photography by Rachel Mason.

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://www.daughterofthewater.uk

https://daughterofthewater.bandcamp.com