Hidden Shoal News
Erik Nilsson “Recollage (Reworked)” Release
We’re excited to announce the release of Erik Nilsson‘s wonderful new release, Recollage (Reworked). The album is available now via Bandcamp and will soon be up on all streamers and online stores. The music of Erik Nilsson is available for licensing across tv, film, web and more. Contact us for more information.
First released in 2011 by Luxus-Artica Records and then reissued in 2016 by Hidden Shoal, Erik Nilsson’s brilliant debut album Recollage is being re-released in a somewhat altered format. Earlier in the year, Nilsson revisited Recollage’s eclectic mix of electronics, live instruments and field recordings to create a new iteration. Recollage (Reworked) recontextualizes the original album’s often dizzying compositional style, reminiscent of The Books’ cut-up approach to songcraft, and casts it in a freshly addictive new light.
New Apricot Rail Track and Upcoming Show
Apricot Rail fans rejoice! After years in the shadows, the band have leapt into the light with a new track and their first live performance in what feels like forever. ‘‘Romance Under the Blossom Tree’ sneaks out ahead of their performance at RTRFM’s Springtime Social on November 5th. Stream then track here and buy tickets for the show here.
The music of Apricot Rail is available for licensing via Hidden Shoal (film, tv, web games etc). Check here for more details.
Willem Gator “The Encyclopedia of Failure” Out Now!
We’re excited to announce the release of The Encyclopedia of Failure, the brilliant new album from Italian electronic artist Willem Gator. The album is available now via Bandcamp, Spotify and all good online music stores. The album is accompanied by a beautiful new music video for the album track ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’, available to stream via YouTube.
The Encyclopedia of Failure is the final album to be released under Giuseppe Musmeci’s Willem Gator moniker – but certainly not the last we will hear from him. Fittingly, there’s a focus and relentless drive to this music that speaks to a desire for closure. ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ opens the album in a style reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder’s Midnight Express soundtrack, which sets the scene for a hypnotic, nocturnal excursion. First single, ‘When stuck, hit the road’, is a heady dancefloor filler, with its roving, gaseous synths and insistent beats. ‘The highlights of a failure’ channels prime Plaid and draws on some of the noisy, rhythmic elements of early Severed Heads, resulting in a visceral, emotive piece. ‘Poets don’t finish poems, they abandon them’ closes the album like a slow-release musical narcotic, gradually building tension before letting it out in one final, cinematic exhalation.
“an eclectic album of epic melancholic electronica, poised between post rock and clubbing sonority, full of dreamy musical constructions” – Wicked Style on Locked-In Syndrome
Liminal Drifter “Cortisol 22” Out Now!
Hidden Shoal is proud to announce the release of Cortisol 22, the fifth album by the Perth-based ambient electronica artist Liminal Drifter. The album is available now via Bandcamp, Spotify and all the other usual suspects. The release is accompanied by another beautiful music video by Perth based film maker dQ (aka Dennis Collins) for the album cut ‘Inner City Dub’. The music of Liminal Drifter is available for licensing via Hidden Shoal (film, tv, web games etc). Check here for more details on licensing this music.
Though shot through with undeniable beauty and hope, the music on Cortisol 22 is shadowed by a number of serious health issues faced by Simon Order (aka Liminal Drifter) over the last couple of years. The album title refers to the hormone produced by the body during stress – something that Order faced repeatedly after experiencing a heart attack in late 2020. While recovering in hospital, Order began working on the music that would form Cortisol 22. The resulting album is an hour-long exploration of music as balm and recuperative destination. Opener ‘Child’s Play’ is a deceptively emotive slice of chilltronica, drawing on some of the dub vibes of 2020’s Connected, while wrapping the whole thing in a blanket of ethereal nostalgia. Latest single ‘Box Seat’ is a sun-drenched sonic playground, with an insistent acoustic guitar line, intricate percussive details and beatific electric piano. ‘Cut Out’ is clean and shimmering, punctuated by golden horns and keys, with a positive momentum counterbalanced by the bittersweet taste of leaving something behind. And ominous Boards of Canada vibes are woven into standout ‘Once a Day’.
“a beautifully choreographed snapshot of the artist’s knack for the surreal, fluid mechanics of mid-90s electronic music shaped with current-era finesse” – Igloo Mag on The Dreams
“Gaman”, The New Album from The World of Dust
Hidden Shoal is excited to announce the release of Gaman, the new album from The World of Dust, the musical project of Stefan Breuer. The album is available now on CD and digital via Bandcamp and to stream on Spotify along with the other usual suspects. The album see release through Lousy Moon Records & Tiny Room Records. The music of The World of Dust is available for licensing via Hidden Shoal (film, tv, web etc).
Gaman is the 7th album by Dutch experimental folk artist The World of Dust. The title is Japanese for ‘enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity’ – Stefan Breuer covers weighty topics through a personal lens within an acoustic, slowcore setting. The album’s eleven songs address the struggles of a young father and artist in the midst of a climate, economic ánd health crisis. Breuer explores these ideas through a mixture of wit and melancholy. Guitars, wind instruments, harmonium and percussion provide an intimate musical ecosystem in which Breuer’s baritone thrives.
“Its power lies in the intimacy… without drowning in desolate melancholy” – hifi.nl
Kramies Self-Titled Album Out Now
H
idden Shoal is proud to present the stunning new self-titled album from dream pop troubadour Kramies. The album, featuring collaborations with Jason Lytle, Patrick Carney (of The Black Keys) and Jerry Becker, represents Kramies most realised work to date. The album is available now via Bandcamp, Spotify and the other usual suspects. As always the music of Kramies is available to license through Hidden Shoal. Head here for more details.
“This album goes far to argue that Kramies may well be included among the Rust Belt city’s great songwriters. (9/10)” – Americana UK
“…his latest sees him weaving together hazy memories and half-remembered stories for an album of rare beauty. If you’re a fan of Grandaddy, Mercury Rev, Sparklehorse, etc, then you’re going to go a bundle for this release that unspools like a hazy dream.” – The Crack Magazine
New Willem Gator Single and Music Video!
We’re excited to present ‘When stuck, hit the road’, the first official single from The Encyclopedia of Failure, the new album from Italian electronic artist Willem Gator. The single is available to stream via SoundCloud along with it’s accompanying music video on YouTube. The Encyclopedia of Failure will see release on the 2nd of October through Hidden Shoal.
The Encyclopedia of Failure is the final album to be released under Giuseppe Musmeci’s Willem Gator moniker – but certainly not the last we will hear from him. Fittingly, there’s a focus and relentless drive to this music that speaks to a desire for closure. ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ opens the album in a style reminiscent of Giorgio Moroder’s Midnight Express soundtrack, which sets the scene for a hypnotic, nocturnal excursion. First single, ‘When stuck, hit the road’, is a heady dancefloor filler, with its roving, gaseous synths and insistent beats. ‘The highlights of a failure’ channels prime Plaid and draws on some of the noisy, rhythmic elements of early Severed Heads, resulting in a visceral, emotive piece. ‘Poets don’t finish poems, they abandon them’ closes the album like a slow-release musical narcotic, gradually building tension before letting it out in one final, cinematic exhalation.
“an eclectic album of epic melancholic electronica, poised between post rock and clubbing sonority, full of dreamy musical constructions” – Wicked Style on Locked-In Syndrome
As always Willem Gator’s music is available for licensing across film, tv, web et al through Hidden Shoal.
New Willem Gator Track ‘Let it disappear and everything will fall into place’
Exciting news people! A new Willem Gator album is on the way and we have a delicious taster for you. ”Let it disappear and everything will fall into place’ is lifted from the forthcoming album Encyclopedia of Failure which will see release in October. The album follows on from his brilliant 2022 EP Sold Out.
As always Willem Gator’s music is available for licensing across film, tv, web et al through Hidden Shoal.
“From the Italian producer Willem Gator comes an eclectic album of epic melancholic electronica, poised between post rock and clubbing sonority, full of dreamy musical constructions, along six different tracks, for a total of 40 minutes, modulating softly and with cinematic digressions, in now more eclectic passages, at other times more tense and eccentric, always with a strong emotional impact.” – Wicked Style on Locked In Syndrome
The World of Dust ‘Ocean’ (feat. Karl Blau)
Hidden Shoal is proud to announce ‘Ocean’ (featuring Karl Blau), the second single from Gaman, the forthcoming album from The World of Dust, the musical project of Stefan Breuer. The single is available to stream on Spotify with an accompanying music video on YouTube. The album will see release on September 16 2022 through Lousy Moon Records & Tiny Room Records. The music of The World of Dust is available for licensing via Hidden Shoal (film, tv, web etc).
‘Ocean’ features Karl Blau and Thijs Kuijken (I am Oak) both playing saxophone. Blau and I am Oak have been big influences on Breuer’s work. Blau also shot the footage for the accompanying music video.
Gaman is the 7th album by Dutch experimental folk artist The World of Dust. The title is Japanese for ‘enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity’ – Stefan Breuer covers weighty topics through a personal lens within an acoustic, slowcore setting. The album’s eleven songs address the struggles of a young father and artist in the midst of a climate, economic ánd health crisis. Breuer explores these ideas through a mixture of wit and melancholy. Guitars, wind instruments, harmonium and percussion provide an intimate musical ecosystem in which Breuer’s baritone thrives.
“Its power lies in the intimacy… without drowning in desolate melancholy” – hifi.nl
Kramies ‘Owl and The Crow’, New Single and Music Video
Hidden Shoal is proud to present ‘Owl and The Crow’, the beautiful new single from dream pop troubadour Kramies. The track is lifted from his self-titled album due out in September and is accompanied by a wonderful music video from Hidden Shoal’s very own Cam Merton. The music video is available to stream over on Hidden Shoal’s Youtube and the track can be downloaded via Bandcamp. ‘Owl and The Crow’ follows on from a trio os single, ‘Hotel In LA’, “Days Of” (featuring Jason Lytle and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys) and “Ohio I’ll Be Fine.”
Initially just an acoustic outtake, ‘Owl and The Crow’ was finally recorded in one take on a late Californian night in Jerry Becker’s Oakland Studio. As time went on “Owl and the Crow” only grew, with layers and images captured by Kramies’ on his travels. With glimmering acoustic guitar licks flirting with eerie instrumentals and compelling vocals, the new track follows “Hotel in LA” as a second taster of Kramies’ self-titled LP, arriving on 9 September 2022.
Be sure to check out Kramies interview with the lovely folks at Two Story Melody. The chat covers Kramies inspiration for his previous single, his collaboration with The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney and Guided By Voices’ Todd Tobias and his future plans.
Kramies’ music is available for licensing through Hidden Shoal. Head here for more details.