Contact: giantgiantmusic@gmail.com
DEBUT ALBUM - HOME AT SEA OUT NOW - VINYL LAUNCH MARCH 2018
FOR FULL ALBUM LISTENING + OFFICIAL WEBSITE GO TO www.feathewest.co.uk
THIS IS THE ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT FOR FEATHERWEST.
BIO -
Effervescent, indietronic-artrock meets wonky pop created by enigmatic partners in life and art Featherwest. A poetic, off-centre take on the human condition straddling live band and electronic with vintage synths, samples and soaring male - female vocal interplay
Borne of a serendipitous meeting between Iwona and Ryan during a 5am police raid clambering from the window of, then illegal, Soho club Helena Troys; Featherwest are married Glasgow duo and Iwona Glowinska and Ryan Denton (synths, vocals, guitars) joined by close friend Kev Dunne (session drums).
Naming themselves after a fictitious, unresolvable game played in the 90s absurd comedy show The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer the group have played alongside colourful, acts such as Vampire Weekend’s Chris Baio, Mini Mansions, The Japanese House and stirred attention on KEXP and BBC Introducing live sessions. Following a successful crowdfunder, pitched in bunny masks, to press their record to Vinyl Record and shifting a third of their physical stock already in pre-sale Featherwest put forward debut album Home At Sea in 2018 completed under the watchful eye of Chem 19 producer Paul Savage.
Iwona also is an awarded theatre actress, director and devoted parent too boot.
Ryan too an accomplished artist, his work has been shown in the UK, New York and makes artwork for his own records.
The couple sight The Life Aquatic, Cocteau Twins, moments from Blade Runner or Mullholland Drive sounds, passionate arguments and Polish vodka as heavy influences in their collaborative straddle between band and electronic as soundscapes. Lyrics with vocal interplay peppered with imagery around themes such as Darcey Bussel’s ballet career sell-out to gawdy TV show Strictly (Darcey) , a couple’s mutual fear of achievement (Fear of Flying), to the demolition of Glasgow’s famous Red Road tower blocks (Cry for the Days) are all navigated in their debut album and delivered with a passionate and deep live sound.
Record store dates, a Vinyl launch party, european dates including a 360 live stream in Krakow are some of the things beckoning as the year unfolds around Featherwest’s album run.
FRESH ON THE NET Kimberley-Marie Sklinar from Never Enough Notes
“Featherwest are one of personal favourites this week, People In The Station opens gently before bounding into song, and this recording sounds like it’s being sung in the same room as you. Featherwest’s soothing vocal lead to all kinds of harmonious tomfoolery when then drums kick in and gives way a flurry of action, Dooosht.”
Further of notable interest
Debut year 2015 saw a host of achievments and airplay for Featherwest including playing with LA's Mini Mansions (Queens of the Stone Age- Micheal Shuman featuring Alex Turner fo Arctic Monkeys). Featherwest headlined King Tuts Wah Wah Hut with Baltimore's Sun Club. In May their headline at Hidden Door festival saw the launch of single - A Baby Not Yet on a brand new beer produced by Edinurgh events co. Deacagram.
Mid September the trio entered Chem19 studios with Mogwai producer Paul Savage to work on a winter release on Vynil Postcard and plan their album sessions for a 2017 launch. Along with UK bookings aligning Featherwest headed to eastern Europe to promote their sounds early Feb 2016 in a none exclusive collaboration with American run indie label Loose Wire Records. Featherwest kicked of 2016 with Celtic Connections Dates alongside Roack Action record's De Rosa and NYC's Frog followed by an invite by VAMPIRE WEEKEND's - Chris Baio on his album tour.
MISSION STATMENT
Featherwest is Eccentric, Effervescent, Art Rock, IndieTronica Meets Wonky Pop
To The Press
FEATHERWEST of Glasgow - performers, artists, devout followers of electro in band music will create events not just gigs. Our Fans and us; we will all be a band, a happening of lovers.
To our Fans
Our hearts melt down the dark club bathed in smokey red. You will find us at the illegal gig in a railway arch, the basement with a high stacked sound system. In the crowd and on the stage, by the DJ booth hugging the subwoofers.
We Featherwest will warm you with bass, colour you in reverb guitar, break your heart with close two-part vocals. With rhythms bring you to the now and sample you all for our next track.
Iwona Glowinska (Vox, synth bass)
Ryan Denton (Vox, synths, Sampler, Guitar, Sequencer)
KEV DUNNE ( Session Drums, Electronic percussion)
Featherwest debut with their single People In The Station followed by two more single releases and an EP by end 2015. The Sound is energetic yet ambient with big bass and sub tones for a modern live impact coupled with deft rhythms, spacious guitars and sweet male/female harmonies.
The Band
As a group Featherwest debut in 2015. As individuals they bring a wealth of experience as performers and writers to a sharp collective vision.
Ryan Denton is a practicing musician and artist. He is the lead composer for FW and the band Foxgang who have played large stages including an invite by the City of Krakow to play their New Year’s Eve 2013 celebrations infront of a crowd 20,000 plus www.giantgiantmusic.com
Iwona Glowinska is an established theatre actor/director/singer not shy of giving her all on stages around Europe. As one of two lead singers to FW she brings the channelling of emotions, a love of literature, and classical guitar experience to the table. Also Iwona recently made a film with Douglas T Stewart of the BMX Bandits to be released next year.
CONTACT
Anthony Denton
giantgiantmusic@gmail.com
+44 7539 281 836
Giant Giant Music
2 Myrtle Park, Glasgow, G42 8UQ
Joining Chris for his album tour The Names we hit the stage 9pm and look forward to showering your with new material and are super chuffed to be invited by another big name.
TICKETS http://goo.gl/2xEpLo
ELUKTRICK - KARL CULLEY - FEATHERWEST
team up with Loose Wire Records for the follwoing with a view to a widey eastern Europe tour later this year.
loudSOFTloud is a new cyclical concert series organized by the Krakow based musical collective Loose Wire. loudSOFTloud brings together bands and solo artists from Krakow, wider Poland, Europe and the US for an evening of eclectic and energetic music. As the concept suggest, there are three acts; two louder groups sandwiching a quieter one… kind of mirroring a Pixies’ song. The first edition will feature Scottish synthpop trio Featherwest, British singer-songwriter Karl Culley and Krakow’s very own Eluktrick.
Jan, 27 07:00 PM
Due to last week's SELL OUT gig Featherwest play a second Celtic Connections date with New York band Frog on the Kind of Blah album tour @ The Hug and Pint. We open this show so get there sharp x
http://www.thehugandpint.com/whats-on/events/27-jan-16-frog-the-hug-and-pint/
Kind of Blah, the debut full-length LP from Frog, is made up of 11 songs (and one secret track) that range from frenzied screams of frozen guitar pop (‘Fucking’), to ballads about depression era starlets (‘Judy Garland’), to whispered self-searching kazoo solos (secret track ‘KIND OF BLAH’). The record aims to engage modern recording and composition ideas with 50's era arrangement techniques while utilizing minimalist instrumentation and idiosyncratic production methods. ‘Photograph’ is the second single from this LP.
Proud to announce we will open for Chad Valley
Manuel began Chad Valley as a solo project alongside the Oxford-based band Jonquil which he heads.[1] In 2010, he released his eponymous debut EP via Cascine, which consisted of four tracks. His second EP, Equatorial Ultravox, was released in 2011 leading to wider recognition for Manuel. Neil Ashman of Drowned in Sound described this release as "wistful in tone, but it's no nostalgia trip and summer or not it's a consistently blissful and thrilling EP that bodes well for any forthcoming album."
KE
http://www.chadvalley.net
This Month sees Featherwest return to King Tuts to play with the esteemed LA three piece Mini Mansions.
Mini Mansions formed by Queens Of The Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman have been bubbling away on their second album The Great Pretenders (hyperlink) since they featured Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys in their song Vertigo (hyperlink)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1maSKgDJke4
With the announcment of their King tuts gig Featherwest are proud to present a cheeky live video of their number Darcey lead by Iwona Glowinska on vox which describes how an young girl’s childhood idol of great mistique, artistic integrity and wonder Darcey Bussell turns up as a judge on a shitty TV dancing show; a sign of the times. All video and audio published by Featherwest is self produced.
Music – Monday 25 May Cath Featherwest as part of a beer release with music download on the lebel.
Bank Holiday Monday at Hidden Door Festival will be curated by DECAGRAM – a co-operative of bands, solo musicians, film makers and artists based in Edinburgh. Ever enterprising, they will not only put on an inspirational line up of music and moving-image collaborations, but will also be launching their own beer in the Cage Room Bar! brewed by an award-winner Edinburgh based brewery it will add an extra-sensory level to the already full-on experience.
We have tried this beer and consulted on it's design and promo. The beer is really balanced with a refreshing flavour to cater for many pallets. NOT JUST FOR HEAVY ALE DRINKERS. Take it from us as we don't normally drink ale but this brewer is a real scoop for us and Decagram. It's lush!
http://hiddendoorblog.org/explore/music/monday-25-may/
VIKING SHIP
DIGITAL AND VIDEO RELEASE
Friday 20th February
on Giant Giant Music.
Viking Ship is Featherwest’s 2nd single in a series of four leading to their EP release late spring 2015.
The Song is a soulful mix of eccentric, effervescent indie electro rock with rumbling percussion and shades of Vangelis’ - Bladerunner producing another warm Featherest combination of classic futurism.
Once again strong vocal performances from the male - female combo of Featheriest bring fire to the lyrical content of love messages written inside encyclopaedias, overlaid with ghostly images of the ocean, shaping of wooden ships and a wedding veil that never reached the alter.
Produced by Ryan Denton, the song was tracked in Lubel Studios Krakow January 2014 mixed down by The Technical Jar/Ryan Denton in Glasgow before being mastered by renowned Jack White/ Goldfrapp engineer Pete Maher in London.
“The decision to escape to Krakow in a misty mid-winter, to to track in a converted retro radio station from the times of communism, to work with such a resourceful recording engineer as Jarek Vyka was pivotal. The atmosphere of Krakow really provoked an impetuous mind set enabling us to capture the song’s brooding sense of loss from loving relationships we all suffer eventually. “ - Iwona Glowinska of Featheriest.
Featherwest make their BBC debut tonight at 8pm along side tunes from Idlewild, Edwyn Collins and Foo Fighters. Vic Galloway will be spinning us to plug our single release People In The Station - digital release monday 24th November. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074hgc
Featherwest will be making their Glasgow Debut launching single "People In the Station" at
Clutha Trust Launch Night official after party Friday 28th November
Venue:- African Caribbean Centre Osborn Street, Glasgow
Featherwest take the stage at 1am, party goes on til 3am DJs too
and Loki is rumoured to be making an appearance.
This wil be a late one but a lot of fun.
Featherwest
Tokamak
SLEEP PARALYSIS (DJ).
Afillion Studios a brand new recording facility in Glasgow on the Clyde opens it's doors to showcase Featherwest
http://www.afillion.com
Fundraiser in Support of Makeshift Broadcast Theatre
From the genre- hopping theatrical odyssey glam-pop-electro-folk of SCUNNER to the energetic yet ambient rhythms and harmonies of FEATHERWEST to the atmospheric OLIFANT COLLECTIVE via the folk rock sounds of SLOTH METROPOLIS, Makeshift Broadcast bring you some of the best musicians Glasgow has to offer.
Single Release Wed 13th May at KING TUTS WAH WAH HUT. Limited Edition physical release for at King TUTS and Hidden Door Festival only.
Music – Monday 25 May
Bank Holiday Monday at Hidden Door will be curated by DECAGRAM – a co-operative of bands, solo musicians, film makers and artists based in Edinburgh. Ever enterprising, they will not only put on an inspirational line up of music and moving-image collaborations, but will also be launching their own beer in the Cage Room Bar! brewed by an award-winner Edinburgh based brewery it will add an extra-sensory level to the already full-on experience.
If you saw what they did last year at HD you will not want to miss this! They had 2 adjacent live music vaults with a live-feed video projection from each vault into the other, with the bands playing and improvising with each other despite being in separate vaults…. an organisers nightmare?? Never- we love DECAGRAM!!
http://www.kelburngardenparty.com
OPEN for MINI MANSIONS
This Month sees Featherwest return to King Tuts to play with the esteemed LA three piece Mini Mansions.
Mini Mansions formed by Queens Of The Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman have been bubbling away on their second album The Great Pretenders (hyperlink) since they featured Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys in their song Vertigo (hyperlink)
Opening for Mini Mansions.
FEATHERWEST with THE JAPANESE HOUSE
Nice N Sleazy Glasgow
Saturday Oct 10th
8pm
You tickets will be at the door box office in Nice N Sleazy from 6pm on the night.
The Japanese house are a beloved of the BBC with lovely textures and layered vocals.
BBC Session here:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0333rqq
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh7qikFginI
INBOX us if you want discounted tickets.
O2 ABC 2 Glasgow
Thu 26 Nov 15
Door time: 6.00pm
Show time: TBC
CHECK Chad's KEXP sessions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyXjLxAKLTA
Since his early bedroom-produced EP releases, this thoroughly modern pop producer has been amassing fans and receiving high praise from the music press. His debut album, ‘Young Hunger’, saw collaborations with Twin Shadow , Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and Active Child, and sold out tours across the US and Europe followed. Now, with a second LP in the pipeline, Chad Valley plays headline dates.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult (over 18)
Under 25s require photo ID (Passport/Drivers license) to purchase alcohol
A night by Edinburgh-based label DECAGRAM https://decagrammar.wordpress.com/
CELTIC CONNECTIONS
De Rosa Album Launch
Featherwest play with New York Band Forg on the Kind of Blah album tour @ The Hug and Pint. We open this show so get there sharp x
Frog is a two person band made up of Dan Bateman (Vocals / Guitars) and Tom White (Drums / Synth / Vocals) that lives in Queens, NYC. They met playing together in the band Uncles, one day no one else showed up to practice so they switched instruments and called it Frog. Frog writes exuberant pop songs mostly using electric guitars, keyboards, glockenspiels, police sirens, and primitive drums.
Lyrically, their songs contain nods to olympic athletes, Washington Irving characters, nervous breakdowns, biblical figures displaced into lewd modern times, and the ups and downs of living in the swamp. Their debut full-length was self-recorded inside an old non-functional bowling alley underneath a coffee shop in Astoria, NY and was mastered by Gabe Liberti.
Kind of Blah, the debut full-length LP from Frog, is made up of 11 songs (and one secret track) that range from frenzied screams of frozen guitar pop (‘Fucking’), to ballads about depression era starlets (‘Judy Garland’), to whispered self-searching kazoo solos (secret track ‘KIND OF BLAH’). The record aims to engage modern recording and composition ideas with 50's era arrangement techniques while utilizing minimalist instrumentation and idiosyncratic production methods. ‘Photograph’ is the second single from this LP.
first in a series of gigs an touring Poalnd and central europe in association with Loose Wire Records
Loose Wire Presents: loudSOFTloud Vol. 1 @ Szpitalna 1
ELUKTRICK - KARL CULLEY - FEATHERWEST
February 7th 2016 - Start: 21:00
Tickets: 10 PLN
2nd in a series of gigs an touring central europe in association with Loose Wire Records
Album tour for Chris Baio's solo project. Chris Baio producer, dj ans memeber of Vampire Weekend.
Throw Shapes Club Night with Featherwest
and Special Guest DJs to be announced x
Live in-store performance for Record Store Day at Love Music Glasgow. More in-store info to follow for Edinburgh and Newcastle the same day!!