TROVA’s Single “CAER” Suggests the Mystery and Allure of Mythological Welsh Castles

TROVA1_crop — TROVA, photo courtesy the artist

“CAER” was TROVA’s first single in 2017 but we’re featuring it here on Queen City Sounds and Art in the context of the project’s “Elements” series in which TROVA took a concept and the ideas inherent to that element to craft an evocative ambient composition. “CAER” is under two minutes long but its nimbus of phased, streaming melody suggests the imagery of a mysterious, mythical place. Those familiar with The Chronicals of Narnia will know the name Cair Paravel, derived from the same word in Welsh, as the seat of power for the characters who come to Narnia in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to cast down the wicked regime to rule with benevolence and wisdom. The legendary Welsh king Arthur similarly ruled from a castle, a caer, Camelot and later perhaps reigned in absentia on the mysterious island of Avalon in a similar setting. C.S. Lewis and earlier storytellers used this imagery to suggest a place that represents the best of human ideals and achievements. This song, though short, suggests a glimpse of such a place we might attain if we have the imagination and will to decency to try. Listen to “CAER” on Soundcloud and follow TROVA at the links below.