Under the name of Zemlya, Maan Methven and Geraldine Vanspauwen (Lazzaro) shape the land of Zemlya’s sound. Their self-titled debut EP was released by Bonambi on the 16th of March. Zemlya’s “earth, land” is formed by spherical drone layers, serene distortion, voices and crashing cymbals.
Joined by Victor Goemaere since 2024, their live performance shares energy between drums, bass, guitar and voice, that connects clarity and distortion, finds intimacy in feedback, and explores both rough noise and uplifting silence, soaking in the deeper fields of imagined landscapes.
Zemlya’s first self-titled EP stems from a long-time exploration period during residencies in Brussels and Bruges, which have formed the foundations for its audiovisual body and landscape. Fascinated by the harmonic borderlands, the coming together of ether and earth, and the blending of ambient and band dynamics; a metallic and meditative sound world arises. Three extended tracks offer us a first glimpse into the land of Zemlya, formed by spherical drones, vocal layers, serene distortion and crashing cymbals, inspired by the sounds and rhythms of their inner bodies and surroundings.
All tracks composed by Zemlya (Maan Methven & Geraldine Vanspauwen) - six-string bass, guitar, drums, hohner organ, piano strings, voice