Pantaleimon
Biography
Andria Degens first came across the name Pantaleimon when
reading the Northern Lights trilogy by Phillip Pullman, she then did some
research into the name and discovered the story of St. Pantaleimon who was a
healer and a medicine man born of a christian mother and a pagan father.
“Pantaleimon means 'all is merciful'. I believe all of us can
perform miracles in our lifetime if our faith, discipline, focus and commitment
to God is strong enough. I felt a karmic connection with Pantaleimon the moment
I was aware of him.” (Andria Degens, in an interview with 'Dark
Entries').
Sometimes with friends, but mostly alone, she creates haunting, beautiful music. It is simplistic by nature and summons a meditative grace and stillness. Pantaleimon's first and only album to date Trees Hold Time (released 1999), is still very much sought after and in 2005 was re-released by Durtro Jnana as a very special limited signed edition of only 300.
Amongst the reviews was this from 'The Wire' magazine: “…Trees Hold Time is a lazily strung out series of minimalist compositions driven by dulcimer, bouzouki, singing bowl and vocals. As repeated lullaby phrases are given time to accumulate and build, the effect is similar to the piling tones of Charlemagne Palestine's piano pieces, with overtones slowly blooming and dying. Elsewhere, the grainy sound of bowed dulcimer gives Trees Hold Time a real devotional air, sharing a still, contemplative grace that's almost medieval. On the tracks with vocals, Degens summons the lonesome spirit of the likes of mysterious UK folk legend Anne Briggs, haunted and out of time.’ (D. Keenan).
Apart from creating her own music since 1992, Andria has made guest appearances with the band Wire (live), Dirty Three ('Horse Stories'), and with Current 93 ('The Starres Are Marching Sadly Home'). More recently Pantaleimon contributed music to Cam Archer's film Wild Tigers I Have Known, Susan Stenger's (Band of Susans) Soundtrack For An Exhibition, and two projects by Irr. App. (Ext.) and Nurse With Wound . They also recorded their interpretation of 'Idumea' on Current 93's 'Black Ships Ate The Sky' album. Pantaleimon have played live shows, and collaborated, with: Bonnie “Prince” Billy & Matt Sweeney’s 'Superwolf', Antony & the Johnsons, Current 93, Ben Chasny’s Six Organs of Admittance, Sixteen Horsepower, Baby Dee, John Contreras and James William Hindle.