Kscope is delighted to announce the release of the debut album from Old Fire,Songs From the Haunted South, on June 24. The pet projectof Texas based programmer John Mark Lapham (of The Earlies and 4AD band The Late Cord fame), Old Fire joins a world-class roster that includes the likes of Steven Wilson, The Pineapple Thief, Anathema, Nordic Giants and The Anchoress.
The 13-trackalbum contains a selection of songs that in one way or another are dedications to people, some dead and some still living. Musically, inspirations range from ambient artists such as Brian Eno and Stars of the Lid topsychedelic rock, traditional country and early 4AD.
Sitting alongside original Old Fire compositions are a selection of intriguing cover versions. Lapham uniquely interprets songs byPsychic TV ("The Orchids"), Low ("Laser Beam"),Ian William Craig ("A Sight Grip, A Gentle Hold"), Jason Molina ("It's Easier Now"), Camberwell Now ("Know How") andShearwater ("Helix").
The project also features a myriad of exceptional musicians including DM Stith - piano & guitar, Christopher Barnes (Gem Club) - piano, Warren Defever (His Name Is Alive) - guitar, Thor Harris (Swans) - drums, Christian Madden - Rhodes piano & organ and Semay Wu - cello.
Songs From the Haunted Southwas produced by John Mark Lapham, mixed by JM Lapham and Mark Kuykendall, and was mastered by Ian Hawgood.
The powerful cover art was designed by U.K.'s Grammy Award winning designer Vaughan Oliver, famed for his work with artists such as Mojave 3,Lush,Cocteau Twins,Dead Can Dance,The Breeders,This Mortal Coil,Pixies,Throwing Muses,in addition to artists such asDavid SylvianandBush. The cover shot taken in 1958 features Lapham's father duringbivouac camping basic training in the foothills of the Ozarks, at Fort Chaffee, Ark.
View a teaser for Songs From the Haunted South on:
Vimeo:
https://vimeo.com/163526073
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ras-ftxaUnU&feature=youtu.be
Pre-orderSongs From the Haunted Southon CD here: www.kscopemusic.com/store.
"Songs From The Haunted South" Track Listing:
1. Old Fire 3
2. Along Came a Sadness
3. Helix
4. Know How
5. It's Easier Now
6. A Stranger in the Family
7. Bloodchild
8. Faust
9. Shadows
10. A Slight Grip, A Gentle Hold
11. Laser Beam
