Beautiful Lunar Landscape
“ever wanted to hear what Portishead would sound like melded with a shoegazer aesthetic?… It is absolutely, spell-bindingly brilliant…you are left mesmerised by the expansive and wide-reaching nature of the sounds BLL can create” – Boring Machines Disturbs Sleep
Beautiful Lunar Landscape’s music is constructed with a cartographer’s sense of detail and direction. The band’s songs have a natural dynamism, shifting between haunting ambient pop and all-out bliss rock, at times recalling the shimmering intensity of Ride or The Boo Radleys at their respective peaks, yet managing to transport the listener beyond the familiar. The band returned in 2017 as Lunar Landscape.
Discography
Alone in this Dark Romantic Night
September 2007
Alone in this Dark Romantic Night propels the listener across ink-black expanses reverberating with an immediate intensity and sense of drama. The band’s songs have a natural dynamism, shifting between all-out bliss rock to haunting ambient pop, at times recalling the shimmering intensity of Ride or The Boo Radleys at their respective peaks, yet managing to transport the listener beyond the familiar. This is an EP constructed with a cartographer’s sense of detail and direction.
Biography
We haven’t been there, but we like to try. Sitting on a rocky lunar outcrop, the best view of the stars, the best view of the world, trying to clear up some unanswered questions. Our favourite music pumping through our space-suits as we open our eyes for the first time to everything in front of us, and we’d like to experience it alone, together…
Beautiful Lunar Landscape formed in October 2003 in Bordeaux, France. Since then, Ben Ling (vocals/synths), Benoit Paissard (bass), Manu Georg (drums), Laureline Roux-Eymery (vocals), Arnaud Sigonney (guitar/songwriter), and Julien Sussat (guitar) have released two acclaimed EPs, toured England and France, and received extensive radio play on both sides of the Channel.
On Beautiful Lunar Landscape’s Alone in the Dark Romantic Night EP, the four luscious tracks transport the listener across ink-black expanses reverberating with a wonderful sense of drama and mystery. This is twenty-first-century trip-rock.
The band returned in 2017 as Lunar Landscape.
News
Stunning Neo-Classical EP From Lunar Landscape’s Arnaud Sigonney
Hidden Shoal is excited to present the debut solo release from Lunar Landscape‘s Arnaud Sigonney. In contrast to the epic, progressive sound of Lunar Landscape, this solo EP finds Sigonney exploring a neo-classical palette of piano and strings. The title, which translates as “dreams never go away,” evokes the lush, romanticised realms of the imagination, in which these graceful compositions find their expression. From the eerie, stripped-back “Les Roses Noires” to the ghostly choral voices of “Cathédrale,“ Les Rêves Ne Disparaissent Jamais! is vividly cinematic, despite its succinct, 12-minute run-time.The EP is available now via Spotify, Bandcamp and all other good online stores. The music of Arnaud Sigonney is available for licensing (master & sync cleared) for film, tv, web and more through Hidden Shoal. Please contact us for more details.
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Hidden Shoal in Textura’s Ten Favourite Labels of 2018 List!
Hidden Shoal is incredibly honoured to have been selected as one of Textura’s Ten Favourite Labels of 2018. Textura is, in our opinion, the premiere new music magazine and favourite of the label team for unearthing and exposing new and exciting new music. This is the second time Hidden Shoal has been selected in Textura’s best labels list and as always we are nestled against some other very special labels, all of who you should check out.Now for a very brief and unnecessary acceptance speech – we are nothing without our incredible roster of artists, who continually amaze, inspire and surprise us. Thank you all!
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New Lunar Landscape Single – Stream and Teaser Video
‘Chaque Seconde de ta Vie’ is the first single lifted from The Infinite Pleasure of Being, the debut album by Bordeaux-based atmospheric rock band Lunar Landscape. The track is available to stream via SoundCloud and YouTube and is available for download via Bandcamp. The album will see release on September 12th 2018 through Hidden Shoal. Don’t forget to check out the stunning artwork from Stuart Medley (more to come with the album!). Those of you who have been with us from the beginning may recognise the band name. Read on…Expanding on the progressive shoegaze of previous incarnation Beautiful Lunar Landscape and the instrumental rock of sister project Les Limbes, the album is a definitive statement from principal songwriter Arnaud Sigonney (piano, keyboards, guitar, vocals). Back in 2007, Hidden Shoal released Sigonney’s previous band Beautiful Lunar Landscape’s stunning debut EP Alone in this Dark Romantic Night, which received widespread critical acclaim. He then took a break from music, before returning with instrumental rock band Les Limbes in 2015. The songs that comprise the debut album by new project Lunar Landscape have been written throughout Arnaud’s musical life. The Infinite Pleasure of Being was recorded by Marco Gomes at Studio Carat with a new band in 2016, featuring Les Limbe’s Yoann Roy (bass), Franck Lantignac (drums), Line Senium (piano) and Marine Hebard (vocals).
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Hidden Shoal is 10!
Hidden Shoal is extremely excited to be celebrating its 10th birthday this month. It’s hard to believe that back in May 2006, Perth-based musicians Cam Merton, Stuart Medley and Malcolm Riddoch began Hidden Shoal Recordings as a means to put out releases by local artists. Tim Clarke, based in Melbourne, joined the team in 2007. Hidden Shoal has since gone on to become a much-loved independent label and publisher, releasing over 120 albums from a diverse range of international artists and licensing music from its catalogue across film, tv, web and compilation.Stay tuned for special anniversary announcements in the coming months!
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Hidden Shoal Turns Six!
Throughout the month of May 2012, Hidden Shoal Recordings is celebrating its sixth birthday. Later in the month will be the release of the latest free sampler album, Triangulating Nature, which compiles 12 singles released over the last 12 months. Other delicious surprises will be revealed in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more info.Since starting up in Perth, Western Australia in 2006, Hidden Shoal has developed an enviable roster of genre-defying global and local recording artists. With 40+ acts from 10+ different countries, ranging from British ambient artist Antonymes through to American musical experimentalist Todd Tobias and beyond, the committed team at Hidden Shoal continues to play an integral role in promoting exciting new independent music.
Come join us and keep an eye on the Hidden Shoal Store for lots of cool special birthday deals!
Continue reading →2007: Onward, Upward, Outward
As part of our 5th birthday celebrations, during the month of May we’ll be looking back at the history of Hidden Shoal, year by year, casting some light on artists and releases that may have been overlooked. For one week, all releases covered below will be available from the Hidden Shoal Store with a 40% discount. Flavoursome!In 2007, Hidden Shoal pushed onward with a ridiculously full release schedule and tons of new signings. The label continued its expansion internationally with 2007 seeing releases from a diverse and beautiful spectrum of artists based in Germany (Sankt Otten and Jumpel), France (Beautiful Lunar Landscape), the US (Slow Dancing Society, The Hero Cycle, Iretsu, Wes Willenbring, Monocle), Belgium (Colour Kane) and Japan (Cheekbone, The Retail Sectors).
Locally, 2007 saw releases from ambient duo Moongoat, a new album from Chris Mason and an EP under his My Majestic Star moniker, plus an EP from Melbourne instrumental quartet Bury The Sound (with HSR’s Tim Clarke on guitar).
In May 2007 we were proud to celebrate our first birthday with the release of the second volume in our free download compilation series, The Garden of Forking Paths. And if that wasn’t enough, we saw out the end of the year with the release of a third compilation, Limit of Maps, rounding up tracks from the second half of 2007 and also featuring a sneak preview of a few 2008 releases, too.
However, perhaps the crowning achievement of a busy year was being named one of Textura’s 10 favourite labels of 2007. The feeling’s mutual – Textura is easily one of our favourite music sites. To be just one year in and be acknowledged like that felt like quite an honour.
HSR013: Moongoat Moongoat EP
HSR014: My Majestic Star Fining EP
HSR015: Sankt Otten Wir Koennen Ja Freunde Bleiben
HSR016: The Hero Cycle Lakes and Ponds EP
HSR017: Colour Kane A Taste Of
HSR018: Wes Willenbring Somewhere Someone Else
HSR019: Various artists The Garden of Forking Paths
HSR020: Bury The Sound Autumn Magnets EP
HSR021: Chris Mason Restless
HSR022: Jumpel Samuel Jason Lies on the Beach
HSR023: Cheekbone Yesterday EP
HSR024: Beautiful Lunar Landscape Alone in this Dark Romantic Night EP
HSR025: Iretsu The Moon and Stars Remain in the Morning Sky
HSR026: Slow Dancing Society The Slow and Steady Winter
HSR027: Monocle Outer Sunset
HSR028: The Retail Sectors Foregone Conclusion
HSR029: Sankt Otten Wunder Gibt Es Immer Wieder
HSR030: Various artists Limit of MapsContinue reading →Related Items:
Hidden Shoal Label Feature at Breakthru Radio
Check out the latest edition of the wonderful Inside The Label show at New York’s awesome Breakthru Radio (home of the mighty DJ Mojo!). The show features an hour of tracks selected from across the Hidden Shoal catalogue. Lurvly!
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Hidden Shoal Free Label Sampler Volume 5
Hidden Shoal Recordings is pleased to announce the official release of compilation album Crushed and Reminded, the fifth installment in its free sampler album series. Whilst the keen eyed amongst you may have already noted that this has has been available for a few weeks now, we thought we’d allow some breathing space before making the official announcement (busy month!!!)Crushed and Reminded takes the listener on a multi-dimensional sonic rollercoaster ride, showcasing tracks from recent 2009 HSR releases. Moving from bitcrushed remixes through cinematic instrumental rock to deliciously mellow ambient electronica, Crushed and Reminded shines a new light across the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal landscape.
It includes stunning songs from 11 Hidden Shoal artists and bands: The Caribbean, HC-B, Sankt Otten, Hotels, Down Review, Tangled Star, Apricot Rail, Tarcutta, Sleeping Me, Elisa Luu and Jumpel. Dip in, then explore each artist’s album and EP releases to experience their full splendour.
“a gripping, adventurous and touching journey across their catalogue of ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and indie-rock releases. The perfect introduction for the artists and bands, or alternatively, the perfect sampler for those who cannot decide which of these fantastic bands to pay attention to at the moment” – Post Rock Community review of Limit of Maps, volume 3 in the free sampler album series.
Crushed and Reminded is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store, along with volumes 1 to 4.
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Hidden Shoal Turns Three!
Hidden Shoal is proud to announce its 3rd-birthday celebrations! With a roster of 30+ acts from 8 different countries – ranging from the epic ambient-rock cinematics of Italy’s HC-B through to the genius space-pop of one of Seattle’s bright lights, Hotels –Hidden Shoal has earned a special place in the new musical landscape.
“Finding Hidden Shoal Recordings could rightly claim to be in the top 10 best things that ever happened to me, such is the quality and diversity of their roster”– Boring Machine Disturbs Sleep
“they continually showcase new, innovative artists to the masses” —The Silent Ballet
“This generation’s 4AD” – New York radio host and promoter DJ Mojo
The label will host a birthday bash at the Velvet Lounge in Mt Lawley, Perth on the 13th of May. Special guest DJs will be spinning sets curated from the Hidden Shoal catalogue, including previews of some exciting upcoming releases. There will be giveaways, CDs available, and a bevy of local HSR artists to touch! The evening will also feature a special performance by the wonderful pairing of Tristen Parr (Fall Electric, Schvendes) and Stina Thomas (Fall Electric, Stina).
During May the label will be running a number of promotions, including CD giveaways and HSR Store vouchers, as well as in conjunction with a number of other music sites and radio stations. Mailing list subscribers will be in for an extra special range of treats so be sure to sign up and get ready for the goods. All details will be revealed during the month, so stay tuned!
Read a full press release here.
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Hidden Shoal's 4th Free Label Sampler Album Released
Hidden Shoal Recordings today announced the release of East-West Section, the fourth volume in the label’s free sampler album series, compiling tracks from recently released albums and EPs.East-West Section is like a knife with ears – an audible slice through Hidden Shoal’s 2008 releases. But no blood! We’ve stitched these killer tracks into a brand new tapestry… From the delicate ambient murmur of RL/VL to the avant-pop mastery of Iretsu; the lush lounge-jazz of Rich Bennett to the sublime ambient rock of City Of Satellites; the charming electro-pop of Ghost In The Water to the addictive indie-rock of Fall Electric and The Slow Beings; and acclaimed Hidden Shoal mainstays My Majestic Star, Sankt Otten and Slow Dancing Society. This is an irresistible showcase of the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal catalogue.
“Hidden Shoal Recordings is on a mission. The Australian label is busy enhancing minds, widening musical consciousness, opening ears, and taking us beyond the sometimes all too comfortably familiar” – Blogcritics
“a gripping, adventurous and touching journey across their catalogue of ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and indie-rock releases. The perfect introduction for the artists and bands, or alternatively, the perfect sampler for those who cannot decide which of these fantastic bands to pay attention to at the moment” – Post Rock Community review of Limit Of Maps, volume 3 in the free sampler album series
East-West Section is now available for free digital download from the HSR Store. Read a full press release here.
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Reviews
“Eat Your Friends” Compilation Reviewed at DOA
“Over almost a decade, Hidden Shoal records developed a reputation as a consistently innovative and experimental music label, giving to us music of remarkable qualities whether it was the instrumental excursions of Gilded, the blissed-out indie of My Majestic Star, the electronica of Marcus Mehr, the alt.folk stylings of Kramies – the HSR list of significant talents was a lengthy one. I say was, as in 2014 or thereabouts, the Hidden Shoal label underwent a reorganisation of sorts, and it began to seem that one of the more influential Australian record labels of the recent past was itself going into hiding. Perhaps so, although only to return refreshed, renewed, invigorated and with its varying artistic visions intact – the Eat Your Friends compilation proves that the Hidden Shoal label is properly with us again.
One thing I’ve found when reviewing compilations is that not infrequently, when I put them into my music players, the tracks separate instead of remaining in their album folder, and that has happened with my copy of Eat Your Friends, encouraging me to view each of the tracks as a single release rather than view the album itself as a cohesive whole. Then there’s the fact that only some of its contributors are already known to me and so, ditching some of my preconceptions about what it’s going to sound like, I began listening to the 11 tracks in a random sequence, and prepared for the unexpected.
Firstly, there’s singer/songwriter Erik Nilsson’s “Moksha Can Wait”, a song which electronic composer Marcus Mehr has taken and adapted to his subtly developed production sound, a track that begins almost inaudibly and builds to a staggering crescendo of soaring, roaring electronic sound and with Nilsson’s guitar and piano providing a counterpoint to Mehr’s swirling atmospherics. The ambient chill of City Of Satellites is given an added gloss by Tim Manzano, although I’m not so sure what he’s actually done with the track – it does sound a lot like the City Of Satellites I know from their Machine Is My Animal album, although as the track progresses and the rhythm and bass begin to disintegrate into a dubby conclusion it seems more apparent where Manzano has left his mark. Arc Lab’s “Through The Burning Glass” is remixed by Glanko, beginning with a club-level bassline before levelling into a noir tinged synth epic. And just when you thought the tracks on Eat Your Friends were entirely instrumentals, Rew perform a cover version of Umpire’s “Green Light District” and they do it with a vocal, alongside the strings and crashing cymbals and haltingly uncertain rhythms, a highlight of an album each of whose tracks is in one or another way remarkable.”
– DOA
Continue reading →Beautiful Lunar Landscape 'Alone in this Dark Romantic Night' – Blogcritics
Excerpt: “a stunning debut by the band. Flowing from intensity to delicacy one moment and from vibrant peaks to spellbinding ambience the next, this is a visual journey across a beautiful landscape, whether lunar or otherwise… They produce a pulsating, breathtaking, imaginative soundscape topped with haunting vocals from both Ben Ling and Laureline Roux-Eymery, blending together with a smooth subtlety that is perfectly placed within the music… powerfully mesmeric, expansive, deeply haunting, intensely satisfying, and highly imaginative ambient music, delivered at its finest.”
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Beautiful Lunar Landscape "Alone in this Dark Romantic Night" – Music Emissions
Excerpt: “Think Radiohead meets Slint meets Pink Floyd’s spaced out atmospheres… The craftsmanship that went into Alone In This Dark Romantic Night is astonishing; Beautiful Lunar Landscape sound very much ahead of the times and older than their years. You can (and should) check out 3/4 of this EP on their myspace, or do them a favor and head over to Hidden Shoal’s website and buy it. You’ll want to after giving the title track a listen, trust me. This is the sort of atmospheric and progressive rock music that you can really get lost in, and it works whether you’re fully drawn in or just have it on in the backround. If these guys don’t go on to make a full-length that breaks them into the global spotlight, I’ll be shocked.”
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Beautiful Lunar Landscape "Alone in this Dark Romantic Night" – Delusions of Adequacy
Excerpt: “a hypnotic, symphonic vista of mesmerising intricacy and introspectiveness. With synth elements and a Portishead-like mood, Bordeaux-based Beautiful Lunar Landscape defies genres and takes risks… Beautiful Lunar Landscape’s dramatic edge and intense, engrossing instrumentals weave together a gripping collection of tracks that border on sublime. “Glorious Chaos” and “Alone in this Dark Romantic Night” are outstanding, and the group’s debut reaches new heights for the great Australian label, Hidden Shoal Recordings.”
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Beautiful Lunar Landscape "Alone in this Dark Romantic Night" – Music Zine
Excerpt: “directly inspired by the master groups of the genre such as Pink Floyd or even Archive, this French outfit leans more towards indie/electro sounds… From the first notes, a feeling of relaxation, of calm, and of floating in the air involves us. And the vocal quality, sometimes feminine, sometimes masculine, amplifies the feeling of calmness… a pleasure to listen to. A group to keep an eye on.”
Music Zine (translated from the French by Ben Ling)
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Beautiful Lunar Landscape "Alone in this Dark Romantic Night" – Angry Ape
Excerpt – “Right from the opening strains of this EP, it is clear that there is something special about French collective Beautiful Lunar Landscape… BLL are an immensely talented bunch. It is difficult to pinpoint their sound, there is so much going on throughout the four mini-epics on this EP… It is absolutely, spell-bindingly brilliant… you are left mesmerised by the expansive and wide-reaching nature of the sounds BLL can create. At 25 minutes long and spanning just 4 tracks, Beautiful Lunar Landscape has created some breath-taking moments. In fact some bands have had 10 year long careers and still not came close to hitting some of these heights. Simply put, this is a stunning debut effort.”
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Music Videos
Licensing
Antonymes music is available for licensing (master & sync cleared) through Hidden Shoal. Please contact us with some basic details about your project and the track(s) you wish to use and we’ll be sure to get back to you straight away.