Von Hertzen Brothers stream new single ‘Starlings’

Finland’s celebrated Von Hertzen Brothers have unveiled ‘Starlings’, the first single from their highly anticipated ninth studio album, In Murmuration, due for release on 25th October.

Stream ‘Starlings’ here: https://symphony.to/von-hertzen-brothers/starlings

Pre-order In Murmuration here: https://linktr.ee/VonHertzenBrothers

Vocalist / guitarist Mikko von Hertzen comments on ‘Starlings’: We had the song title ‘Starlings’ in our heads since, as ardent bird enthusiasts, we just love those birds and their murmuration in the sky. I actually had a simple note on my phone from way back that said: “Song title: Starlings – their movement and intuitive flow.”

“The murmuration of those beautiful little birds is a very poetic and metaphoric phenomenon. At least we think so. The science behind it is absolutely fascinating: How the birds read each other while maneuvering at great speed, creating these absolutely amazing formations and shapes that continuously change. And they do it not for the beauty of it but for protection from predators. Anyway, to our eyes it looks much like the dance of the northern lights made by birds. So, we decided to write a song about it… In the end, the song turned out to talk more about that natural and beautiful flow versus how clumsy we humans are. Essentially, it’s a song about how there is power and beauty in teamwork and how the individual elbowing and struggle to succeed is unappealing, ugly, and tiring. Of course, we tried to write it in a funny, relatable way.”

The band chose to release the single on the 19th of August, which in Finland is Magnusdagen (Magnus’ Name Day).

Mikko continues: “For those who don’t know it yet, all of us brothers were named ‘Magnus’ after our forefathers. There’s no better day than today to release a new VHB tune!”

The new album In Murmuration follows the profound and epic journey of their acclaimed, pandemic-era masterpiece Red Alert in the Blue Forest (2022).

In Murmuration will be released on Von Hertzen Brothers’ own label, DoingBeingMusic, on limited-edition crystal-clear vinyl gatefold LP, CD, and digital. Merch bundles will be available from the band’s website. Pre-orders are available now.

Von Hertzen Brothers will play album launch shows in Finland and the UK at the end of 2024 before returning to the UK, Europe, and the US, including Cruise to the Edge in spring 2025.

UK dates are as follows:

Nov 28: Troon Winter Storm Festival
Nov 29: Buckley The Tivoli
Nov 30: Trecco Bay Planet Rockstock
Dec 02: London The Garage

In true Von Hertzen Brothers style, In Murmuration creatively juxtaposes the band’s previous release. Whilst their imaginative, multi-genre hard rock and harmonies remain, the band’s artistic pendulum has swung more towards an air of optimism and renewal. The result is a work filled with big choruses, stadium rock anthems, art-rock with 90s vibes, and catchy power-pop.

Whilst the themes within the album may not be as deliberately opinionated as on previous releases Red Alert in the Blue Forest and War is Over, there is a naturally occurring sense of constant change throughout. Precise and intriguing observations on the global political landscape, the tricky human relationships of this age, resilience, and personal growth all provide lyrical subject matter. The first half of the album embodies a transformation of mood, bringing forth some positivity and love, and the second half journeys through challenging relationships, a literal call for change, separation, loss, longing, and a final resolution.

Vocalist/guitarist Mikko von Hertzen says: “The shapes and the overall tone of the musical content on this album could be a bit surprising to some of our newer followers, but not to those who have been listening to us from the beginning. Musically speaking, we have proudly carried the cloaks of ‘prog-wizards’ for the last two albums, but what has not been so widely discussed lately is our ability to write good pop choruses and great catchy rock anthems with good vibes. We felt like it was now time to bring forth that side of us once again. The lyrical themes still deal with the everyday struggles of being humans in this f*cked-up world, it’s a source that keeps on giving, but we wanted to step out of the forest and into the sunlight to mingle, discuss, and celebrate. We live in an age of constant change where everyone is trying to find a secure footing in life, sometimes full of joy and sometimes filled with utter disappointment. Amid all that, the trick is to stay alert and lean on one another. Like starlings in murmuration. After the pandemic, and now as the world has once again opened, we have somehow felt lighter in our everyday lives. We acknowledge the contradiction of course, since the world with its horrors hasn’t changed much… It would have been easy to drown in those doomsday moods, but writing these songs we felt the need to tackle these problems from a more forgiving and positive standpoint.” 

From the anthemic opener to the reflective closer, In Murmuration ebbs and flows much like the starlings after which it is named.

The instrumentation on this album has also evolved. The three brothers Mikko, Kie, and Jonne, with drummer Sami Kuoppamäki, are joined by multi-instrumentalist Markus Pajakkala, who performed with the brothers on their acoustic tour in 2023. Notable for his saxophone solo on 2022’s ‘Peace Patrol’, Markus brings a new dynamic to the album. Guests on the album include a gospel ensemble and the Budapest Art Orchestra.

Now in their 23rd year, Von Hertzen Brothers have consistently delivered music on their own terms, and In Murmuration is no exception. This is their third self-produced album, the others being the award-winning Approach (2006) and War is Over (2017).

Von Hertzen Brothers are:
Mikko von Hertzen – vocals, guitars
Kie von Hertzen –  guitars, vocals
Jonne von Hertzen – bass, keyboards, vocals
Sami Kuoppamäki – drums
Markus Pajakkala – keyboards, woodwind

Von Hertzen Brothers online:
http://www.vonhertzenbrothers.com/
https://www.facebook.com/vonhertzenbrothersofficial
https://www.instagram.com/vonhertzenbrothers/
https://www.youtube.com/@VonHertzenBrothers
https://twitter.com/vonhertzenbros
https://www.tiktok.com/@vonhertzenbrothers

Tracklist:

1. The Relapse
2. A Good Life
3. Starlings
4. Ascension Day
5. Beneath the Silver Stars
6. Tightrope Walker
7. The Change
8. Separation
9. Snowstorm
10. Wait for Me