Andrew Wells-Oberegger gives you a glimpse into his musical world with his transfixing and immersive new single Kaleidoscope — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The first preview of the Canadian composer, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist’s upcoming second album — due in November — the hypnotic Kaleidoscope oddly echoes the sensation one feels when peering into the depths of this fascinating optical toy. Geometric tones, sonic shapes and musical motifs blend together, evoking the feeling of being in one of the spontaneous landscapes created by a few simple twists of the wrist.
That level of expertise is no accident. With over 20 years of professional involvement in early and world music, Wells-Oberegger distinguishes himself with a remarkable mastery of a wide variety of instruments including oud, bagpipes, saz, mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, lute and santoor. Building upon an impressive academic background and guided exploration of musical traditions both local and global, he extends his capabilities to include vocals, various flutes, and unique percussion instruments: Daff, req and the tamburello.
A familiar presence on stage and in the studio, he can be heard on over 20 albums with different ensembles including La Nef, La Mandragore, ESEM, Cercamon, De Lònga and La Strada. Five of these recordings have earned Opus Awards, including one with ESEM in the World Music and Traditional Music category, for which he handled recording and production duties. Many projects bearing his mark have also been nominated at ADISQ in Best World Music Album, along with the Opus Awards and Canadian Folk Music Awards between 2008 and 2024.
The year 2021 marked a turning point in Wells-Oberegger’s career as an artist, driven by an unprecedented creative impulse to showcase his compositions for the first time. Seeking to immortalize previously ephemeral pieces, his debut solo album Long Way Home — nominated for a GAMIQ award in the World Album Of The Year category — unfolds as distinct yet interconnected pieces, tracing the path inward, the longest journey through encounters, events, surprises, to the eventual return home. In essence, 12 musical compositions akin to living canvases.
Balancing intellect with emotion, Wells-Oberegger delicately weaves and navigates narratives that transcend language, evoking melancholy and serenity in turns. While his approach may appear erudite, it remains deeply rooted in the intimate, leaving ample space for a certain intuitive dimension. Wells-Oberegger reimagines world music without imitation, painting rich, multi-layered universes in textures and colors that one can imagine inhabiting.
Check out Kaleidoscope above, hear more from Andrew Wells-Oberegger below, and see what else he has in store on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
