Music
Press
"Guitarist Paul Schmidt and Keyboardist Bob D’Eith compose instrumentals that pack quite an emotional wallop of melodic and rhythmic structuring. Instead of tonal ambiguities, the due fashion tight and potent romantic poems that draw as much upon flamenco themes as Enigma-style wordless soprano vocals. Incredibly gifted singer Jennifer Scott makes songs like "November" and "Wind" fascinating to hear. Just when you think her crystalline voice cannot soar any longer, she switches tact and begins chanting in a tribal rhythm that perfectly counterpoints the duo's gothic instrumentals. The synthesizer showcase "Angel’s Weep" is amazingly lovely, with Christine Duncan's ethereal voice scaling to heavenly hights before the poignant acoustic guitar lead line resumes. If you enjoy Enigma, Deep Forest, Panagea, or Dadawa, don't hesitate to get this wonderful album." - PJ Birosik - New Age Retailer
"Most impressive is how the album moves so smoothly through the differing styles. The first few songs are very lush and dark, the central songs influenced by Jennifer Scott's vocals, and as it winds down the only sounds to be heard are Paul Schmidt's classical guitar, barren and alone." - Miss Hell - Music Reviews, Music Reviews, Music Reviews
"The shadows cast by the web of life fall under scrutiny in this collaboration by two of the Western world's favorite instruments, guitar and piano. Aptly titled, this release could help clarify the meaning of "gothic" as a category. Pieces such as "Wind", "November" and "Clockwork" touch on themes of the soul through the routine of a dutiful mind." - NAPRA Review
"Hard to describe yet easy to fall in love with. The combination of rhythm and space is a total success in utilizing hypnotic dance grooves that churn beneath elegant melodies, all instantly familiar sounding. ... it keeps sounding better with each listen .." - Heartbeats Preview
"Mythos combines a variety of styles and tempos all of which are refreshingly original. Fans of Deep Forest and Enigma may find themselves really enjoying this one." - Hear's Music World Music In Review
"Call it Delirious, call it Enigmatic, but Mythos' ambient debut album, Introspection is more than background fluff. Although the album is predominantly derived from classical styles, Mythos draws on everything from jazz and flamenco to monkish chants to create a dense cross-section of melodies and rhythms. Unlike many other ambient albums that rely heavily on synthesized music, this one commands the listener's attention because of its predominantly acoustic instrumentation." - Jennifer Van Evra - The Vancover Courier
Discography
Purity (2006)
Eternity (2002)
The Reality of a Dreamer (2000)
Mythos (1998)
Iridescence (1997)
Angels Weep EP (1996)
Introspection (1996)
COMPILATIONS
More Beautiful Than A Flower OST - KBS Media (2004)
Pure Moods Volume 4 - Virgin US (2002)
B.C. Aid for NYC Fund - Virgin/EMI Canada (2001)
Due South 2 - Nettwerk Records (1998)
Escapes 2 - Warner Music Canada (1997)
Sacred Rituals - Virgin Europe
Photos
Bio
Over the past decade Mythos has produced a series of best-selling recordings featuring their unique fusion of classical music, jazz, pop, electronic, ambient, and musical influences from around the world. Written and performed by pianist Bob D’Eith and guitarist Paul Schmidt, with contributions from some of Canada’s most outstanding musicians, the music Mythos makes is hauntingly beautiful and otherworldly.
Purity is the Vancouver-based duo’s latest CD release, and it continues D’Eith and Schmidt’s unique musical fusion. Veteran jazz bassist Rene Worst teams-up with world beat percussionist Pepe Danza to ground Mythos’s seductive melodies with sensuous, juicy rhythms. Another Vancouver-based jazz stalwart, vocalist Jennifer Scott contributes ethereal, soaring vocals to the evocative mix, and violinist Cameron Wilson and cellist Finn Manniche add hypnotic string embellishment to this edition of the band’s singular sound. At the heart of the richly textured soundscape are Bob D’Eith’s piano and keyboards and Paul Schmidt’s guitar. There is a confidence and maturity in their playing that gives the music on Purity room to breathe.
D’Eith took Toronto Conservatory Piano and Schmidt studied at the University of British Columbia’s School of Music. Both musicians demonstrate flawless technique on their instruments, but the most outstanding musical gift on Purity is the consistency and mastery of their compositions and arrangements.
The eleven pieces of original music on the new recording have a subtle, flowing, cinematic quality. Alten Mara, Mythos’s marriage of a Wagnerian motif to a Bulgarian folk song is an inspired fusion of musical forms. Such adventurous, thoughtful combinations have been central to Mythos’ sound since the group’s founding in 1996 and their surprise ambient new age radio hit, November.
“The mid-90’s were the peak years for ambient music in the mainstream,” explains D’Eith. “Enya, B-Tribe, Enigma and other new age musicians were all getting radio airplay, and Robert Miles’ piano melody, Children, was a huge hit. Our tune, November, was one of our early songs, and it really defined Mythos. It got lots of radio play,” D’Eith continues, “and we were on the Billboard new age charts for ten years. Mythos, the compilation of our first four years of work includes November. It was released in 1998, and it’s still selling lots of recordings.”
Mythos has sold over 100,000 recordings over the course of three previously released albums with Pacific Music/Warner. Mythos, Reality of a Dreamer, and Eternity share a similar artistic focus with the recently released Purity. Each features Gil Bruvel’s surrealist, dream-like illustrations in the cover artwork, underlining the recordings’ singular sound and vision.
Mythos makes beautiful, otherworldly music, and Purity continues that tradition while showcasing the duo’s growth as instrumentalists, composers, and arrangers. The product of four years’ musical exploration, Purity is an engaging, thoughtful work that is ripe with eclectic influences. It’s a beauty.
AWARDS
2004
Mythos - Nominated Canadian Music Award for Best Electronic Artist
2003
Mythos "Eternity" - Winner Western Canadian Music Award for Best Instrumental Album
2002
Mythos "The Reality of a Dreamer" - Nominated West Coast Music Award for Best Electronic Release
1999
ASCAP Foreign Radio Play Award
1998
Mythos "Introspection" - Winner West Coast Music Award for Best Dance Album
Mythos "Introspection" - Nominated Juno Award for Best Instrumental Artist
FILM, TELEVISION, and WEBCAST
Feature Films
How It All Went Down
Wounded
Marine Life
Television
More Beautiful Than A Flower (Korean TV Series)
1996 Atlanta Olympic Games (NBC)
Due South
Madison
Straight Up
MTV (Road Rules and Undressed)
Webcast
Around The World For Free
2000 Victoria's Secret Cannes Fashion Show (8 million viewers)
VIDEOS
Angels Dance
Kaleidoscope
Danse Planinata
November Dance
New Day
Links
