Photo credit: Steve Gullick
SMOKE FAIRIES NEW ALBUM:
North America – May6th
Europe – April 14th
Smoke Fairies’ fourth album, the eponymously titled Smoke Fairies, shows the band in top form, combining their classic approach whilst exploring new forms of musical expression – but it is an album that they nearly didn’t make. There was a moment after the release of Blood Speaks (2012) when Jessica Davies turned to musical partner Katherine Blamire and told her she was no longer sure whether Smoke Fairies should continue.
In the six years since Smoke Fairies first entered a recording studio, they have made two critically acclaimed albums, supported on tours with Bryan Ferry, Richard Hawley and Laura Marling, and had a single released on Jack White’s Third Man Records. They had earned a reputation for impressive live performances, for harmonies and intricate guitar playing, but what they now craved was something simpler and more direct.
In 2013 Blamire and Davies took themselves to a remote recording studio in Kent with producer Kristofer Harris. “It was on a very old industrial estate,” says Davies. “It was a really eccentric area – it used to be a council office, now there’s a bubble car garage, a tattoo parlour and a granite workshop. It just physically felt so distant from anything to do with the music industry.” It was there that they set about crafting their latest album, calling on their bandmates and old touring friends such as drummer Andy Newmark (Sly and the Family Stone, Roxy Music, John Lennon) to help out.
The distance and sense of introspection also allowed for a shift in their songwriting techniques, such as jumping on the opportunity to actually be two separate voices, rather than two voices as one entity; two people talking to each other as distinct characters. The result is a noted strength and robustness to the new album, as well as a sense of experimentation.
Smoke Fairies will release new album on April 14th on Full Time Hobby (their first for Full Time Hobby label), and in North America on May 6th.
‘Eclipse Them All’ – first track taken from the brand new self-titled album by Smoke Fairies.
‘We’ve Seen Birds’ – new single!
The song itself was written as an apology from Davies to Blamaire for almost giving up on Smoke Fairies prior to the upcoming album, and the video was shot on location in Chichester and was directed by Jonathan Pound!
Upcoming Smoke Fairies UK Tour Dates:
26th May RAMSGATE, MUSIC HALL
27th May MANCHESTER, BAND ON THE WALL
28th May YORK, THE DUCHESS
29th May LIVERPOOL, EAST VILLAGE ARTS CLUB
30th May GLASGOW, THE POETRY CLUB
1st June BIRMINGHAM, HARE & HOUNDS
2nd June LONDON, XOYO
3rd June BRISTOL, THEKLA
4th June BRIGHTON, STICKY MIKE’S FROG BAR