Stage Hands set to release debut album in February, share video for first single

Stage Hands - The Populating Of Empty Space

Last year, The Meets’ It Happens Outside put Brandon Locher, the ensemble’s creative head, firmly on our radar. The multimedia artist/producer keeps himself well busy with an array of projects, and in 2013 he also joined forces with longtime friend and drummer/producer Gerald Mattis, founding Stage Hands. The outfit have recently announced the release of their self-titled debut album, due out on February 10th via My Idea of Fun.
On their forthcoming album, “Locher constructs his signature sonic and rhythmic collages, weaving elements of jazz, ambience, and IDM into his production”, describes the press release, “alongside Mattis’s sure-handed drumming, split between acoustic and electronic kits.”. It adds that Stage Hands “patiently burst and blooms from placid and meditative, to nervous and glitchy, to pulsing and malleable.”

‘The Populating Of Empty Space’ is the first ace single to be lifted from the album and it stands as a testament to the pair’s genre-defying magic. The single comes with a video, directed by Joshua Rogers. Highly recommended.


Stage Hands can be pre-ordered now.

Vision Fortune sign to ATP Recordings, announce new album

Vision Fortune - Country Music

London based three-piece Vision Fortune have recently signed to ATP Recordings. The news comes with an album announcement, Country Music, slated for a February 9th release. Country Music is the result of a two-month research residency funded by the Cuatroquesos Foundation, in region of Tuscany. Whilst there, residing in a country villa, “the group soon found the breathtaking beauty of the area little compensation for the almost complete lack of wheat-and/or gluten-free products, a severely limited selection of DVDs, and minimal recording equipment”, explains the press release. “Only able to record in scant free hours, and forced to make the most of their immediate sonic environment, the group often had no choice but to forgo their simple daily routines of sampling local gastronomic delicacies and honing their horse-riding skills in order to complete the album.”
Vision Fortune are teasing the upcoming album with the first single ‘Dry Mouth’. Take a listen now.

Michael Feuerstack announces new album The Forgettable Truth, shares first single

Michael Feuerstack - The Forgettable Truth

We first got to know Michael Feuerstack as a member of The Luyas, but the Canadian singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist boasts an impressive CV under his own name and other alias. His newest offering, The Forgettable Truth, will see the light of day on February 17th via Forward Music.
The album is described as “a journey – posing answerless questions, shining light into dark corners, and binding classic songwriting to adventurous musicality.” To bring The Forgettable Truth to life, Feuerstack assembled a wonderful cast of musicians including Pietro Amato (Bell Orchestre, Luyas) on keys, Peter Xirogiannis on bass, and Mike Belyea (Jenn Grant) on drums.
‘Clackity Clack’ is the first single to emerge from the upcoming album. Check it out now.

Portico Quartet re-emerge as Portico, announce new album

Portico - Living Fields

We last heard from Portico Quartet a couple of years ago when they released their excellent eponymous third album, which was one of our Album Picks of 2012. Since then, the now re-birthed three-piece Portico went through a process of ending and re-beginning. Living Fields is the resulting album, set to drop on March 23rd via Ninja Tune. The upcoming album “is no continuation under a shortened name”, explains the press release. “As far as the band are concerned this is a debut.”
The first taste from Living Fields, ‘Bright Luck’, features singer-songwriter Jono McCleery and you can listen to it below.

Fogh Depot join Denovali Records, debut album arrives in February

Fogh Depot - Mining

Judging by the number of fantastic artists and albums slated for a 2015 release, we cannot wait for the new year to come. The latest to grab our ears comes from Moscow based trio Fogh Depot who are one of the latest additions to Denovali Records. Their self-titled debut album arrives in February but we can already get a taste of what’s on offer with the wonderful, cinematic and nostalgic track ‘Mining’. The music is dedicated to bitcoin’s creator Satoshi Nakamoto and it comes with a beautiful video. Here it is.