Introducing... Strike The Colours
new album ‘Seven Roads’ out 28th Sept + UK tour September 9, 2009, 12:03 PM Views: 330
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 Introducing Strike The Colours, the solo project from Malcolm Middleton’s long-term collaborator Jenny Reeve, plus members of Idlewild, Alistair Roberts’ and Emma Pollock’s bands. ‘Seven Roads’ is the much-anticipated second album from Strike The Colours and is set for release on September 28th on Deadlight Records. The band is set to go on a UK tour late September, alongside co-headliners Zoey Van Goey. Full details of live dates are below.
The follow-up to 2007’s highly praised ‘The Face That Sunk a Thousand Ships’, ‘Seven Roads’ was recorded last year in Chem 19 by Paul Savage. Latest single ‘Breathing Exercise’ is the first release from the album, and is out now.
While the nautically-themed first album – it’s writing, recording and self-release - and the early fluidity of Reeves’ band (which still variously includes core players and collaborators) represented something of a voyage for its creator (previously known for her work with the likes of Malcolm Middleton, Arab Strap, The Reindeer Section, Idlewild and own band Eva), ‘Seven Roads’ is itself about journeys.
For the traveller in Reeve, a veteran of UK, US and European touring circuits, who also has close family in Australia, the material, penned in early 2008, quickly became a reflection on roads less and oft-travelled, and of losing and finding people along the way. “The last album had its own personal theme, but was created in bursts of writing and recording,” says Reeve. “This process was more succinct and we recorded it during one period of time. Lyrically and stylistically, it feels like there is real continuity and clarity with ‘Seven Roads’.”
‘We’ could refer to both Reeve’s band, which includes the various instrumental talents of friends and long-time creative cohorts Davey MacAulay (who’s been co-writing and demoing tracks with Reeve since his days as Terra Diablo’s guitarist/vocalist), Gareth Russell (Idlewild), Stevie Jones (El Hombre Trajeado, Malcolm Middleton, Alisdair Roberts) and Johnny Scott (Take A Worm For A Walk Week, Emma Pollock), and the multiple personalities innate to an independent, self-releasing artist.
The many hats Reeve dons are inspired by the grassroots ethos of Scottish collectives and musicians like Fence. “I’m happy to take the time to build a body of work and crucial industry knowledge,” she says. “Releasing your own records is a good way of doing this. It means you’re never standing still.”
Critical response to the last album not withstanding, Reeves’ reputation has also been inadvertently buoyed by her long-term collaboration with Malcolm Middleton. Appearing on his last five recordings (including A Brighter Beat, Sleight of Heart and Waxing Gibbous) and tours has engendered a mutual creative influence - and a full diary. STC, however, remains a priority and in between joining Middleton on his various UK and European tours, the band (in acoustic and full form) has lately appeared at Sounds In The Ground in Stornoway, Homegame Festival, Middleton’s ‘Burst Noel’ show and a Glasgow support with Marisa Nadler.
‘Seven Roads’ ten tracks look set to enthrall once more, beautifully imbued with Reeves’ trademark folk-inspired, dark-edged narratives and hints of mutated, Nick Cave-esque pop; the introspective (‘Cold Hands’, featuring the vocals of Aereogramme’s Craig B), the esoteric (‘The Things I Can’t Explain’), the direct (‘If I Don’t Belong’) and the visual (‘Cat’) all combine to create exactly what Reeve intended. They’ll also pave the way for the next creative journey.
“I’d like to begin the next record soon, and work with a producer who’s going to bring something different to the music,” says Reeve. “A lot will depend on the funding, but the ethos remains the same. I’ll always want to make new alliances with like-minded musicians and explore new directions.”
‘Seven Roads’ artwork was created by Scottish figurative artist Cherylene Dyer www.cherylenedyer.com
Live Dates
22nd Sep with Zoey Van Goey @ The Slaughtered Lamb, London
24th Sep with Zoey Van Goey @Ashton Theatre, Shrewsbury
27th Sep with Zoey Van Goey @ The Electric Circus, Edinburgh
30th Sep live session for Marc Riley on BBC6 music, Manchester
2nd Oct Seven Roads album launch with Zoey Van Goey @ Stereo, Glasgow
3rd Oct with Zoey Van Goey @ Snafu, Aberdeen
4th Oct with Zoey Van Goey @ Hootenanny’s, Inverness
21st Oct RADIO 1 Session In Scotland, Glasgow
“..folk along the lines of Pentangle and Espers, weaving stories through finger-picked guitar, Jenny’s voice gliding along the long violin notes. Everyone watching is mesmerized and completely silent.” BBC Music “..a captivating saunter in a world of soul-pondering organic song writing. Impossible not to be knocked out by it.” The Skinny Strike the Colours Website Strike the Colours on MySpace Music
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