knives of spain is 21st-century trobairitz Gwen Young, a NC-based solo artist whose sonic terrain spans delicate songcraft to opaque experimentation. Her sound "braids aspects of folk and the psychedelic avant-garde, minimalism, electronic experimentation and sonic mood painting” and has been described as a "specially warped version of pop music... baked in a kiln fired by ghostly spirits.” Young performs all instruments for knives of spain, and her live sets are electro-acoustic, merging original audio recordings with voice and live instrumentation, such as guitar, analog synths, flutes, sitar, violin, accordion and percussion. She has performed in DIY venues, bookstores, bars, houses, art galleries, and clubs across the US, and has shared bills with a wide range of artists, including Cate Le Bon, Clang Quartet, and Eugene Chadbourne. A grant awarded by the NC Arts Council helped to support the creation of her second album Telluric, which was released on the Chicago indie label Hairy Spider Legs, and was named in the Top 200 Tapes of 2016 by Tabs Out. knives of spain has been featured on podcasts and broadcasts in the US and abroad, such as Tiny Mix Tapes, Free Form Freakout KMSU, Tome to Weather Machine, Psychic Glands (Auckland), the Crooked Button (Dublin), WFMU (New York), and WGXC WaveFarm (New York).
“The diversity throughout (Telluric) is completely amazing. Knives of Spain delivers a specially warped version of pop music, achieved from being baked in a kiln fired by ghostly spirits. "
- Lost in a Sea of Sound: http://lostseasound.blogspot.com/2017/02/knives-of-spain-telluric.html
"Performing under the name knives of spain, Gwen Young’s sophomore EP Telluric is transcendental. The record utilizes everything from analog synths to flutes to create a captivating, almost mystical sound. Knives’ sound calls forth comparisons to goth-rock goddesses like Kate Bush or Liz Fraser of Cocteau Twins; bestowing these comparisons feels like a rarity, but I am unable to think of someone else more deserving to coexist in this gossamer world."
- Rosie Accola, Hooligan Magazine: http://www.hooliganmagazine.com/music/2016/12/30/an-interview-with-knives-of-spains-gwen-young
“Foghorn sounds, deep-breathing accordion, insect hissing, music-box tinklings, and clouds of shivering synth oscillations all contribute to a vibe that can either lull or put you on edge. Fans of music that braids aspects of folk and the psychedelic avant-garde, minimalism, electronic experimentation and sonic mood painting will find things to like in Knives of Spain.”
- John Adamian, Yes! Weekly: http://yesweekly.com/greensboro-based-knives-of-spain-to-play-local-shows/