“Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart,” the debut from Yob drummer Dave French and his lush new ambient solo project Semantron, is out now. The official video for the second single “Prisoner Of The Sun” is available below.
Watch the video for “Prisner Of The Sun” via the YouTube player below:
Dave French has not only performed around the globe as a member of Yob, but he has also played drums with Tad Doyle’s Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth, been a live collaborator with Steve Von Till and his Harvestman project, produced records for members of Soundgarden, and much more throughout his life in music. For several years, he’s been traveling with a classical guitar, writing songs in backstages and hotels, during ferry crossings, in remote landscapes, and quiet moments on the road. These pieces gradually evolved into Semantron.
In the Winter of 2023, Dave French rented an off-grid cabin at the foot of Mount Adams in Washington State, where he began recording the core guitar tracks for fifteen songs. Six of those pieces became Semantron’s debut, “Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart.” The title draws on the alpine phenomenon of krummholz—trees near the limits of survival that become bent and twisted by relentless wind and harsh weather. For French, the image became a metaphor: a heart shaped by the forces of life yet still rooted and alive. The result is deeply immersive music that unfolds patiently, drawing the listener into a meditative landscape of sound. Fans of Steve Von Till/Harvestman, Dead Can Dance, Pink Floyd, Earth, Brian Eno, and Nest will want to embrace this project now, as much more is in store for the months and years ahead.
“Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart” was fully performed by Dave French, recording acoustic foundations in the mountain cabin before completing drums, bass, electric guitars, and vocals between his home studio and the Yob rehearsal space. Acoustic and electric textures merge with field recordings gathered from the natural world: ravens and owls, alpine wind, rivers, stone percussion from mountain talus slopes, rhythms played on living trees, and even the slow dripping of meltwater from an Icelandic glacier. The record was mixed by Nathan Yaccino (Soundgarden, Norah Jones, A Storm Of Light), mastered by Tad Doyle (Tad, Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth), and completed with art/layout by French.
As the record permeates the public domain, French states, “It brings me immense pleasure to finally share this album in its entirety with you. Come enjoy its maiden voyage into the wilds with me!”
Purchase Semantron’s entrancing “Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart” here Bandcamp | EU Vinyl (Evil Greed)
French has booked several Semantron performances in support of the album’s release, having just played a record release show in Seattle on the day of its released backed by a full band, with additional support from Tad Doyle. He’ll also perform solo Semantron sets while supporting Steve Von Till playing Spokane, Pioneertown, and Cottonwood in August. Further live updates will be posted shortly.
Semantron Live:
8/19/2026 The Big Dipper – Spokane, WA w/ Steve Von Till
8/23/2026 Pappy & Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA w/ Steve Von Till
8/26/2026 Queen B – Cottonwood, AZ w/ Steve Von Till
Semantron is not a side project. “Secrets Of A Krummholz Heart” is the first chapter of a body of work Dave French has been quietly cultivating for nearly four decades. Expect to hear more from this project for the foreseeable future.