For the final of his four-album Catharsis Project which explores themes of the sea, the earth, the embers and the air, John Blek has pulled out all stops.
As the title suggests, On Ether & Air focuses on the simultaneous lightness and weight of the atmospheres surrounding us and the innate human longing for unbridled freedom. That very unbridled freedom also appears to be a building block for this release with collaboration being a key ingredient. Joining Blek are Kris Drever (Lau), Cheyenne Mize (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Maiden Radio) and pianist Kit Downes as well as regular collaborators Davie Ryan (Atlantic Arc Orchestra, Notify) and Brian Casey.
“Chance encounters and some fortunate timing lead to me being able to work with some of my favourite musicians. Getting people with such unique playing styles involved went a long way in defining the sound of On Ether & Air and creating an album of which I am immensely proud.”
Collaboration is natural territory for Blek and if the lead single below is anything to go by then the listener will reap the rewards of that decision. This seems to be an area in which he personally thrives when it comes to tapping into his creative spirit. His recent collaborations include Kris Drever & Kit Downes, Joan Shelley, Nathan Salsburg who also works as a curator for the Alan Lomax Archive who, with John, is currently investigating lesser-known folk songs that travelled from Ireland to America in the mid-1800s with the support and funding of the Arts Council of Ireland and fellow Corkonian Mick Flannery.
The album was written over a period of 6 weeks and recorded throughout the second half of 2019. Below, you can watch the video for his lead single Long Strand. The Director/Videographer Barra Vernon taps into the album’s theme of air and unbridled freedom as dancer Foxy P. Cox paints the air with her graceful moves. This first offering left a deep impression on me, even the space he allows in the opening and the ambience afforded by Brian Casey’s synth shape the way in which you first receive the music. Small details like the fingerstyle guitar and the flowing veils of the dancer visually and sonically create a soothing harmony while John’s poetic singing allows those lyrics to work their way into you, while Davie Ryan’s percussion adds just the right amount of lift to let it all take flight. It’s a beautiful single and sounds considered yet naturally flowing and although I’ve only heard this first track it left me with the distinct feeling that this album is going to something special, possibly John’s most significant album to date. ‘Long Strand’ is also our Song of the Day.
On Ether & Air will see widespread release on 10th September in Europe and the UK via K&F Records and Hometown Caravan and in Ireland through John’s own label We Are Rats Recordings (WARR). Available on digital, CD and gatefold 180gram Vinyl. For more information or to purchase the album go to www.johnblek.com