Vancouver-based sextet, Brasstronaut, release new album ‘Brasstronaut’ on the 3rd March, via Tin Angel Records.
With roots in a myriad of musical styles, including pop, rock and jazz, the band has developed a distinctly unique sound that continues to defy genre pigeonholing, weaving together unexpected textures of clarinet, slide-guitar, trumpet, noise, synthesizers, voice and rhythms. Their third and most collaborative release yet, Brasstronaut spans everything from Broken Social Scene-ish clouds of orchestral indie-pop (‘Hawk’) to Afrobeat jams sung from the perspective of a NASA Curiosity Rover, adventuring across the red plains of Mars alone in search of life (‘Desert Rock’). Diverse, daring and unstoppably catchy, it’s a record that can take you to other places, the ones this band have always dreamt about.
Picking up on the group’s constant evolution — from the effortless fusion of jazz, pop and ambiance on their critically acclaimed 2010 debut, Mount Chimaera, to 2012’s decidedly more mellow Mean Sun — the new album features brighter and richer arrangements. Experimental touches of electronica are still present, but they’re gently subdued in a way that both enhances and elevates the fuller-bodied instrumentation.
In addition to extensive North American touring, Brasstronaut has a strong international audience, touring European venues & festivals on numerous occasions.
The band will be performing their new self-titled album on an 11-date UK tour in support of Oxford-based indie-folk band Stornoway. UK tour dates below.
Brasstronaut is Bryan Davies on trumpet, Edo Van Breemen on piano and vocals, Sam Davidson on clarinet and EWI, Tariq Hussain on lap steel & electric guitar, Brennan Saul on drums and John Walsh on bass.
UK tour dates:
27.02.17 Gateshead, Sage Gateshead (Sage Two) (supporting Stornoway)
28.02.17 Bristol, Colston Hall, Main Room (supporting Stornoway)
01.03.17 Cardiff, Tramshed (supporting Stornoway)
02.03.17 Exeter, The Phoenix (supporting Stornoway)
04.03.17 Manchester, Manchester Academy (supporting Stornoway)
05.03.17 Leeds, Brudenell Social Club (supporting Stornoway)
06.03.17 Glasgow, Old Fruit Market (supporting Stornoway)
08.03. 17 Brighton, Komedia (supporting Stornoway)
09.03.17 Cambridge, The Junction (supporting Stornoway)
10.03.17 London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (supporting Stornoway)
11.03.17 London, Shacklewell Arms
12.03.17 Oxford, New Theatre (supporting Stornoway)
