UK based writing / recording collective Simon and The Astronauts have shared new single ‘Lost In London’ - taken from their upcoming self titled album collaboration with acclaimed US musician Rachel Haden (The Haden Triplets, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Todd Rundgren, Hadestown) due out this Friday 22nd April.
‘Lost In London’ is the last preview of the album before its release and finds the group ditching the guitars and big choruses of previous singles for a show stopping ballad of an album closer. Gorgeous strings dance with a gentle piano arrangement as Haden beautifully performances this ode to London and its musical heroes. As melancholy as it is hopeful, ‘Lost In London’ is testament to the songwriting abilities of this group of musicians and their ability to craft truly special moments.
Beginning life as a collaboration between songwriters Simon Wells and Ben Hewerdine with producer and musician Chris Pepper following their introduction by Ben’s father and Simon’s mentor, the acclaimed English songwriter and record producer Boo Hewerdine, ‘Simon and The Astronauts’ have already been creating music together for a number of years.
The trio, along with an impressive list of collaborators, released their debut EP ‘The Entertainment Suite’ in 2019, quickly followed by their debut, self-titled album later that year, spawning the unlikely viral TikTok hit ‘I’m Just A Cat’ - currently featured in just under 300,000 posts.
As the trio set about recording their second full-length album, they decided their group was missing something crucial and after some soul-searching reached out with what they thought was a shot-in-the-dark request to a musician and singer they hugely admired - Rachel Haden.
Haden, a founding member of That Dog and The Haden Triplets, respected solo artist and collaborator of artists including Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Anais Mitchell, Todd Rundgren and many others, reacted positively to the pitch from the guys in the UK, who promptly set about writing an album of songs with Haden and her iconic voice in mind.
Working remotely between Pepper’s studio in Cambridge and Haden’s base in LA, the group began their international collaboration, writing and recording this fantastic collection of 12 new songs. An ambitious and sonically varied record, this new album effortlessly shifts from the classic alt-rock of ‘I Have A Name’ to the crushing guitars and cinematic atmospherics of new single ‘10 League Boots’ all the way through to the bittersweet pop melodies of new single ‘I Do’.
List All News -
Back
|
Listen to 'Lost in London' here:
Featuring additional contributions from LA studios Sea Grass Studios & Spirit Kid Sound, as well as English musician Boo Hewerdine, Swedish multi-instrumentalist Gustaf Ljunggren, lyrics inspired by Haden’s Jazz legend father Charlie Haden and the blessing of Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo to interpolate their song ‘Surf Wax America’ - the album is a tribute to the possibilities of the global sharing of ideas. Each track bouncing between countries and continents, heading to its next destination richer and more developed - ‘Simon and The Astronauts’ is an unlikely cast of characters hailing from a wide variety of musical backgrounds and traditions - and all the better for it.
‘Simon and The Astronauts’ will be released via the bands own imprint on 22nd April 2022 with the possibility of summer tour dates on the horizon.
|
