Forest Moon
Apple Music Spotify YouTube Amazon“Forest Moon’s debut album is the musical equivalent of a hammock, strung between two of the trees in the forest that surrounds the duo’s small high-tech studio in Franschhoek where this chilled, nu-folk collection was recorded. ‘Forest Moon’ is an unassuming and gentle slice of melodic acoustic tunes with scattered rock and world influences, all embellished with soft vocals and harmonies and lush but not overdone string and vocal harmony arrangements.” S. Segerman, SA Rock Digest.
In the heart of the laid-back winelands around Cape Town, South Africa, an unexpected collaboration blossomed between two musicians, Greg Gordon and Jeroen Seynhaeve (Jerome Arthur). Their partnership would culminate in the creation of the album Forest Moon — an intimate, meticulously crafted body of work that captures the unique synergy between the two artists.
The pair’s story began in 2001 when Arthur, at the time performing guitar alongside Belgian-Spanish singer Sandra in local Franschhoek restaurants, found himself in need of an audio cable. Through a chance encounter, he was introduced to Gordon, who not only had the cable but also a full-fledged recording studio that he had been carefully building over many years in his home.
Gordon, a seasoned lyricist and drummer, opened his studio doors to Arthur, offering him a space to record some of his earliest singer-songwriter demos. It wasn’t long before they realised that their combined talents could produce something truly special. Gordon brought a sharp ear for music production and a knack for crafting lyrics, while Arthur had a passion for songwriting, vocal harmonies, and guitar and keyboard playing. Together, they embarked on a creative journey that resulted in Forest Moon.
The recording process spanned a year, with late-night studio sessions becoming the norm. Over that time, Gordon and Arthur created thirteen songs, each one meticulously crafted and given the space to evolve naturally. Some tracks originated from one of Arthur’s musical ideas, while others were born from Gordon’s lyrics. The pair worked methodically, recording each element individually – Gordon on drums and sound production, Arthur handling vocals, guitars, and keyboards.
The advantage of having a fully equipped, cost-free studio meant there was no rush. Every song was treated like a living, breathing entity, with pieces being added, removed, or re-recorded as needed. The process was painstaking, but the result was a deeply rewarding album that captured the heart of their collaboration.
After the completion of Forest Moon, the duo began work on a second album in collaboration with a bass player, but their musical paths ultimately diverged. They decided to part ways and pursue their own individual projects, leaving Forest Moon as their sole, timeless testament to a brief but powerful partnership.
Though their journey together was short-lived, the album stands as a tribute to the magic that can happen when two musical minds meet by chance and choose to create something extraordinary.
