Sieben is the solo project of Matt Howden, a United Kingdom–based musician who works as a producer, songwriter, session musician and score composer. He also releases neoclassical music under his own name. Howden’s main instrument is the violin, which he plays in a self-taught style that gives Sieben a distinctive sound built around layered violin and voice.

Background

Howden moves to Sheffield in 1986 and becomes part of the city’s music scene, performing with The Glass Hammers, Pigsix 4, Yonni and Stiki. Sieben develops out of his decision to make the music he wants to create, rather than music aimed at a particular audience. The project takes its name and direction from a reading of the I Ching, which leads him to pursue a fully solo approach centred on violin and voice.

Style and themes

Sieben is generally classed as neofolk, and also appears in contexts described as gothic, experimental, alternative, indie and freak folk. The music is built on multiple layers of instruments and voice, with melodies that often sit alongside darker and more twisted lyrical narratives. The writing uses metaphor and archaic language, set against dense, textured arrangements.

Releases

The first Sieben album is Forbid The Sun's Escape in 1999, released on Tony Wakeford’s label Tursa and distributed by World Serpent. The Line And The Hook follows in 2001 on Howden’s own label Redroom. He then signs to Trisol and releases Our Solitary Confinement in 2002, Sex And Wildflowers in 2003, Ogham Inside The Night in 2005, High Broad Field in 2006 and Desire Rites in 2007 on the Iceflower sublabel. Our Solitary Confinement is Album of the Month in Germany’s Orkus magazine. He later returns Sieben to Redroom for As They Should Sound in 2009, Star Wood Brick Firmament in 2010 and No Less Than All in 2012.

Collaborations

Howden works with a wide range of artists, including The Raindogs, Sol Invictus, Tony Wakeford, L'Orchestra Noir, L'Âme Immortelle, Emilie Autumn, Faith And The Muse, Of The Wand And The Moon, Larsen, Chris Eckman, Spiritual Front, Shock Headed Peters, Hekate, Job Karma, The Mystery School and HaWthorn. Sieben remains his best-known project.

Personal details

In album credits and lyrics, Howden refers to his affection for Burnley F.C., curry, kebabs and cider from Wilkes Farm in Somerset.