Pantaleimon is the psych-folk musical project of British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and sound artist Andria Degens. Blending unique acoustic instrumentation like the Appalachian dulcimer and Indian harmonium with minimalist piano and cinematic soundscapes, her music explores deeply personal, celestial themes. Active since the late 1990s, Degens has established a distinct sonic footprint through highly regarded studio albums, including Trees Hold Time, Mercy Oceans, The Butterfly Ate The Pearl, and her recent return, Up With The Moon (2024) as well as a number of EP's. Known for her rich history of collaboration across the British experimental and alternative scenes, she has performed and recorded alongside prominent artists including Current 93 (David Tibet), Anohni, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, James Blackshaw, Olivia Louvel, Isobel Campbell, and Hugo Race.
A Few Press Reviews
““Over gently plucked acoustic guitar, bouzouki, dulcimer and cello, Degens sings simple, devotional paens to God and nature. Her voice, often double-tracked or harmonised with guests Isobel Campbell and Baby Dee, is delicate but far from vulnerable. Anne Briggs, Vashti Bunyan and Bjork's Vespertine are touchstones for an album of humble joy.””
““Andria plays dulcimer, bouzouki and tambura with a languid touch, eschewing the raw speed that most of those instruments’ handlers evoke in favor of glistening texture. Her notes hang, twisting in the breeze, and the vocals she offers on one track are reminiscent of Christina Carter at her most gravity-defying.””
““The Butterfly Ate the Pearl, her fifth release, is the most psychedelic and progressive to date, blending Dead Can Dance with Black Sun Ensemble with Dzyan with Vetiver with Fern Knight with Wolff & Hennings with Nico with Deuter with, well, quite an array of influences and sounds..””
“Degens is a multi-instrumentalist but she doesn’t weave her music in traditional formats. Her songs have cool flowing qualities and she has a wonderful smooth voice that really makes her music work on a variety of levels. This is an exceedingly interesting album full of magical tracks. Our favorites include “Ember,” “Another World,” “Morning Star,” and “Summer Reigns.” Way cool stuff… TOP PICK.””
““Degens has thus far avoided mainstream critical attention. On the evidence here, this is nothing short of criminal. Apart from possessing a wonderful voice, she also demonstrates a keen ear for subtle yet layered arrangements, and a knack for compositions that are, at times, incredibly moving.The lilting vocal melody, coupled with the gentle swell of soft, subtle strings at the beginning of ‘Ember’ is reminiscent of ‘She Moved Through the Fair,’ a traditional Celtic folk song that’s been performed by everyone from Van Morrison to Boyzone via All About Eve, Fairport Convention and Sinead O’Connor. But it soon grows, blossoming into a rich electric folk-rock song, buttoned down by a strolling bass line and meandering fiddle. But Andria’s voice remains the focus and focal point of the dreamy number that sets the tone and pace for an album that’s delicate yet solid. The title track is a clear standout: haunting, evocative, musically and emotionally deep ....."”
“Andria's voice is a wonderful mix of gentle, ethereal and seductive and the overall combination is a win.From the sweet sounds of “Ember”, the opening track to “Elevation Of A Dream” to “If I (Was)”, the flow is consistent; the aural canvas is richly colored and there is a soothing feeling that envelopes the listener. Granted, this is not my usual fare, but I have easily been converted and now look to hear more of Andria Degens’ work.”
“Most enigmatic and enticing is “Eagle Turning,” a Dead Can Dance-like track which places Degens’ voice on a bed of strings and just lets the mystery be. Strange and gorgeous, The Butterfly Ate the Pearl is an excellent calling card for an artist to whom attention must be paid."”
““Andria Degens isn’t a name I’ve ever heard before but she’s the creative force behind musical project Pantaleimon. This album is going to be difficult for me to describe. It’s truly inspired and so above my head in places that I experienced a transcendent period of time while listening to it. The closest comparison I can come up with is this: Depeche Mode and a heavenly choir of angels. The Butterfly Ate The Pearl is equal parts minimalistic genius and complex, divine rhythms. The overall feeling I had when this was playing was wistfulness. That slightly sad, nostalgic feeling we all feel on occasion. While this is not the kind of music that I normally listen to I did enjoy my journey through this piece. In my experience, this is a unique album full of music that’s destined to thrill and mystify audiences everywhere.””
"Tall Trees" - An absolutely gorgeous four song EP...""... with heartbreakingly gorgeous vocals like some lost outtake from the soundtrack to Twin Peaks or one of Julee Cruise's Lynch/Badalamenti classics..."
"Cloudburst" - the splendor of nature springs from her elliptical guitar instrumentals that draw favorable comparisons to the likes of Marissa Nadler and Steven R. Smith.
“It seems that songs like these could only emerge from a soul that has been through a great deal of pain, only to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. This is completely real and powerful music that can change and heal. The simplicity is monumental and the intent is strong. 10/10 ”
"Mercy Oceans" There are some beautiful songs here, some of which might even propel Degens into the more mainstream end of the current folk scene. Recommended.
“Heart Of The Sun" is becoming the record we listen to both early in the morning and then late at night as we surrender to sleep. So beautiful! ”
Pantaleimon albums and Eps
Up With The Moon is the 2024 studio album from Pantaleimon, psych-folk ambient project led by British sound artist Andria Degens. Marking a beautifully minimalist and meditative return after a lengthy hiatus, this largely Read more
Up With The Moon is the 2024 studio album from Pantaleimon, psych-folk ambient project led by British sound artist Andria Degens. Marking a beautifully minimalist and meditative return after a lengthy hiatus, this largely instrumental collection strips away traditional song structures to focus on raw mood, texture, and celestial themes. Moving away from her previous vocal-heavy arrangements, Degens crafts hypnotic soundscapes using a rich palette of organic instrumentation, including the Indian harmonium, acoustic guitars, piano, and her signature Appalachian dulcimer. The album features the standout track "To The In Between"—a long-gestating electronic collaboration with French sound artist Olivia Louvel—as well as a moving title track dedicated to the memory of Ryuichi Sakamoto. Perfect for fans of astral folk, drone, and avant-garde ambient music, Up With The Moon offers a deeply calming, restorative listening experience.
£8.00
The Butterfly Ate The Pearl is a deep excursion into, dreamy psych-folk . Guided by the singular vision of British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andria Degens, the album balances enveloping drones with an Read more
The Butterfly Ate The Pearl is a deep excursion into, dreamy psych-folk . Guided by the singular vision of British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andria Degens, the album balances enveloping drones with an underlying sense of philosophical wonder with cohesive, long-form soundscapes where natural imagery—fire, ancient forests, and astral mysticism—serves as a backdrop for soothing, ethereal vocals that float effortlessly above the arrangements. Rather than relying on conventional structures, the record builds an immersive universe out of layered, intuitive instrumentation. Hypnotic melodies shift organically between moments of delicate acoustic intimacy and mind-expanding warmth with a collective architectural sound. While the album feels deeply personal and all encompassing, it is vastly enriched by an extraordinary cast of alternative music icons who contribute distinct textures to Degens’ compositions: Hugo Race (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds): serving as co-producer, Race injects a smoky, psychedelic dimension into the tracks, weaving in deep soundscapes, Leslie-laden guitar and string arrangements. Will Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy): lends his unmistakable, grounded vocal presence to the expansive, drifting folk tapestry of "Morning Star". James Blackshaw: adds highly intricate, shimmering layers with a signature acoustic guitar solo on the opening piece, "Ember". Jay Darlington (Oasis / Kula Shaker): expands the sonic universe using vintage Mellotron arrangements, Hammond organ, and drifting, cosmic space effects. Otto Hauser (Vetiver): contributes a rhythmic anchor for the album's ambient and psychedelic instrumentation.
£8.00
Tall Trees is a journey into minimalist psych-folk and ambient drone music, originally released in 2008. Created, mixed, and produced by British multi-instrumentalist Andria Degens in collaboration with Michael Tanner and Read more
Tall Trees is a journey into minimalist psych-folk and ambient drone music, originally released in 2008. Created, mixed, and produced by British multi-instrumentalist Andria Degens in collaboration with Michael Tanner and Nick Palmer, this four-track collection crafts a world of hypnotic beauty, gentle swaying melodies, and profound space. Ethereal, ghostly vocals float over a delicate acoustic foundation of guitar and rich harmonium layers. The music is further elevated by the rare textures of the dulcitone and vibraphone played by Michael Tanner, alongside the swelling accordion of Nick Palmer. It is an immersive, acoustic experience designed for deep listening. Cover photo by Yolanda Reeves.
£5.00
Live in Barcelona captures a rare performance recorded live at La Apolo, Barcelona. This performance preserves a hypnotic evening where long-form drones, heavy harmonium, and rhythmic Appalachian dulcimer shape a Read more
Live in Barcelona captures a rare performance recorded live at La Apolo, Barcelona. This performance preserves a hypnotic evening where long-form drones, heavy harmonium, and rhythmic Appalachian dulcimer shape a meditative, cavernous space.The set showcases unique, organic interpretations of Pantaleimon's repertoire. It stands as the only archival document of this specific musical collaboration. Performance credits: Andria Degens: vocals, octave mandola, Appalachian dulcimer, shruti box. James Blackshaw: 6 & 12-string acoustic guitars, E-bow. Production Credits: Live mixing: Xabi. Audio editing: Andria Degens. Mastering: Andrew Liles (Nurse With Wound). Cover Photography: Yolanda Reeves. Artwork Layout: Alonso Urbanos
£8.00
Heart Of The Sun, an expansive and atmospheric alternative folk album from Pantaleimon (Andria Degens). Acting as a hypnotic companion piece to Mercy Oceans, this 14-track collection features radically reimagined, remixed, Read more
Heart Of The Sun, an expansive and atmospheric alternative folk album from Pantaleimon (Andria Degens). Acting as a hypnotic companion piece to Mercy Oceans, this 14-track collection features radically reimagined, remixed, and re-modelled tracks alongside four completely unreleased, original compositions. Heart Of The Sun expands Pantaleimon's signature sound into stunning new shapes through high-profile collaborations and remixes. The result is a time-bending, otherworldly collective experiment where psych-folk dissolves entirely into dark ambient drone, rhythmic electronics, and massive minimalist noise walls crafted by an incredible roster of avant-garde artists, including Andrew W.K., Stephen O'Malley (Sun o))) ), Chris Carter/ Cosey Fanni Tutti (Throbbing Gristle), Lilium, and Fovea Hex, amongst others. Front cover artwork; Beth Carter. Photography: Yolanda Reeves.
£8.00
Mercy Oceans expands into a full-length exploration of reverence, humble joy, and the overwhelming weight of the natural world. Diverging from earlier instrumental works, the album brings honest, shimmering lead vocals Read more
Mercy Oceans expands into a full-length exploration of reverence, humble joy, and the overwhelming weight of the natural world. Diverging from earlier instrumental works, the album brings honest, shimmering lead vocals directly to the forefront. Andria Degens' intricate acoustic rhythms on Appalachian dulcimer, Octave mandola and bouzouki intertwine with cello, harp and guitar, forming a comforting yet deeply mystical chamber-folk ecosystem. Collaborators: Isobel Campbell: cello, backing vocals. Baby Dee: harp. Keith Wood (Hush Arbors): guitar. John Contreras: cello. Jerome Alexandre: guitar harmonics. Engineered by Colin Potter and Marcus MacKay. Mixed by Andria Degens and Michael Tanner. Mastered by Denis Blackham. Front cover artwork: Beth Carter. Photos by photographer/film-maker Cam Archer.
£8.00
Recorded during a winter residency at The Diving Bell Lounge in Glasgow, Cloudburst is a starkly intimate four-track chronicle mapping the emotional shifts of a single day. The EP is characterized by a bright, spacious Read more
Recorded during a winter residency at The Diving Bell Lounge in Glasgow, Cloudburst is a starkly intimate four-track chronicle mapping the emotional shifts of a single day. The EP is characterized by a bright, spacious honesty, using eastern-influenced acoustic drones to build a hypnotic bridge between traditional string craft and psychedelic modern folk. The journey peaks with the sprawling, drone-heavy invocation of "Numinosum", a track exploring voluntary and involuntary mystical states. Written and performed by Andria Degens, featuring bouzouki, Appalachian dulcimer, and tambura. Engineered by Marcus MacKay. Mixed by Michael Lawrence and Andria Degens.Mastered by Denis Blackham. Front cover and inner sleeve artwork: Andria Degens
£5.00
Originally released in 2002, Change My World acts as an essential, formative chapter in Pantaleimon’s evolution. This EP strips the music down to a raw, deeply intimate core, layering Andria Degens' ethereal vocals over Read more
Originally released in 2002, Change My World acts as an essential, formative chapter in Pantaleimon’s evolution. This EP strips the music down to a raw, deeply intimate core, layering Andria Degens' ethereal vocals over cyclical, slow-burning harmonium textures. The tracks craft a singular, hypnotic space that gently pulls listeners into a world of quiet transformation. Written & Performed by: Andria Degens on Indian harmonium and vocals. Mixed by Steven Stapleton and Michael Lawrence. Also includes live tracks from the debut album 'Trees Hold Time' recorded at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London 2001. Front cover photo by Libi Pedder. Photo tinting by Cosey Fanni Tutti.
£5.00
As the foundational debut album, Trees Hold Time is a starkly beautiful, primarily instrumental texturing of acoustic spaces. The music relies on structural minimalism, allowing the natural resonance of raw string Read more
As the foundational debut album, Trees Hold Time is a starkly beautiful, primarily instrumental texturing of acoustic spaces. The music relies on structural minimalism, allowing the natural resonance of raw string arrangements to breathe. It acts as an ambient-folk blueprint, mimicking the quiet weight of ancient woodlands and shifting seasons through cyclical acoustic phrases. Written and performed by Andria Degens, utilizing Appalachian dulcimer, bouzouki, Tibetan singing bowl. Production and mixing: Christoph Heemann. Mastering: Denis Blackham. Front cover artwork: Andria Degens
£8.00