That’s right Kate Stables, better known to most of you as This is the Kit, has a new album due for release on April 6 (April 7 North America) via the Brassland label which was co-founded by Aaron Dessner of The National who is also on production duties.
In terms of where this album sits on her musical horizon this is by far her most significant release to date. As well as featuring her regular touring band of Rozi Plain, Jesse Vernon, Jamie Whitby-Coles, Dessner has called on some big names to make additional instrumental contributions – Bryce Dessner, Thomas Bartlett (Doveman, The Gloaming, Sam Amidon), Matt Barrick (The Walkmen) and Ben Lanz (Beirut, The National).
If 2010’s Wriggle Out the Restless lit the touch paper then this is the one you need stand well back from to catch the full display. It’s a thing of intense beauty. Like her fellow Bristol posse of Rozi Plain and Rachael Dadd they are all masters of articulation around which they weave their music. When we interviewed Kate following the release of her last album she told us “the sounds of words…that’s really important to me. I like alliteration and the noises that the words make.” Adding music on a grander scale to this takes a certain skill, sensitivity and a depth of understanding of what the singer is trying to project. Dessner’s band selection is impeccable, they’re each well known for quite groundbreaking collaborations: The Gloaming’s self-titled release (Bartlett), Phosphorescent’s Muchacho (Lanz), Sharon Van Etten’s Tramp (Barrick). You can hear some of their fine efforts on the lead track to Bashed Out below which we’ve selected as our Song of the Day.
Matt Barrick’s contribution on percussion is immediately heard and felt, all players maintain a gorgeous depth of warmth and tone. It’s a serene track, one on which the music washes over you like a gentle breeze. This is an album we are very much looking forward to, top of our list for most anticiapted album of 2015.
This is the Kit has just announced a new UK tour for March:
UK & Ireland Tour Dates
March
03 – Bristol, The Institute
04 – London, 100 Club
05 – Manchester, Deaf Institute
06 – Ireland, Dublin
07 – Morecambe, The Hothouse
08 – Hull, Adelphi Club
09 – Glasgow, Glad Cafe
10 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
11 – Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
12 – Brighton, Green Door Store
Photo credit: Lucy Sugden Smith