Chale Abbey Studios is situated in one of the Isle of Wight’s oldest manor houses, built around 1338 by John de Langford as a great medieval feast hall. It’s now a residential recording studio that we first mentioned in 2024, when pedal steel wizard Spencer Cullum introduced us to the incredible band and album, Echolalia, which was recorded there. Jordan Lehning described the studio as “Going out to the middle of nowhere, where the coast is a seven minute walk, and in the wintertime, it’s cold and foggy and beautiful… there’s really nothing like it”. The pull of the place was clearly strong, as Cullum is back there again for another collaboration. This time, he is part of a collective featuring Max Kinghorn-Mills (Hollow Hand) and Erin Rae. Their backing band is no less impressive: Dom Billet (drums – who also played on Echolalia), Harry Bohay (bass) and Rich Ruth (guitars/synths).
Over four days together, they created Banquet Rock, a sort of 70s-flecked autumnal folk rock, shaped by a love of 70s British folk songs, acid-folk oddities, and vintage children’s television soundtracks. The album will be released on February 26th, 2027, on Full Time Hobby.
“By the time we’d finished our work, we were full of excitement and shared a passion for these songs,” Max says, reflecting on the Banquet Rock journey. “That time and space we shared together is worth so much. Alongside making the best music we could, Spencer and I had this shared plan to create a party. We called the project a ‘Banquet’ as a bit of a joke, but it made sense and stuck.”
We get our first taster with lead single Far Below The Willows, along with a behind-the-scenes video. Inspired by Wind In The Willows and Syd Barrett, the song unfolds brightly, marrying jaunty piano lines with a gentle roll of country-leaning instrumentation that blossoms into something spirited and playful.
The album will be out digitally, on ‘Moonstone Sage’ Clear Vinyl, Marbled ‘Twilight Purple’ Vinyl (D2C Exclusive), and CD.
Banquet Rock (February 26th, 2027) Full Time Hobby
Pre-order https://banquetrock.ffm.to/