Shadowman – Self-titled debut album out 4 September
Shadowman, the new collaborative project from John J Presley, Ben Hillier and Danielle Perry, have announced the release of their self-titled debut album, arriving on 4th September via Nica Records/Republic of Music.
Born from a shared creative vision and a desire to make music freely and instinctively, the trio weaves together a rich sonic tapestry, blending crushing guitars with cinematic orchestration, death-march brass with motorik drum machines, layered vocal exchanges and slow-burning post-rock intensity.
Following the release of their debut single ‘Flowers’, which was championed by Iggy Pop and Steve Lamaq on BBC 6Music, today they share ‘Don’t Assume’, the latest preview of their forthcoming album. The new single is accompanied by a video directed by The Thrill Of Losing/Laura-Mary Carter.
About the song, Danielle explains: “I’ve played a Fender Rhodes alongside John J Presley for a while now, and the riff we got for this tune was the one I’d been waiting for. There’s something the bass of a Rhodes provides that just can’t be replicated, really. Lord knows I’ve tried, but every time I went back to my 54-key heavy HEAVY beautiful Rhodes. The tone is so malleable, and it cuts through so well in its own silky way. We always imagined punchy late-night Chicago horns on this in the middle 8, and Pete Wareham just got it right away. There’s a glint in the eye with the lyrics on this one… and sadly, since we wrote it, some of the lyrics have become very of this moment on the world stage. Suffice to say… we find war abhorrent and wish for a peaceful, respectful world”.
LISTEN TO ‘DON’T ASSUME’ HERE
WATCH ‘DON’T ASSUME’ VIDEO HERE
Shadowman have announced two headline shows in June—one in London, one in Paris—with more dates to be announced soon.
Wednesday 3 June – Shacklewell Arms, London, UK (free tickets here)
Thursday 4 June – Supersonic – Paris, France (free tickets here)
John explains: “Shadowman, both as a collective and the resulting album, started as an experiment. After one particular tour, I bought a new acoustic guitar and started to write the bones of these songs with a real focus on songwriting rather than the tones and sounds, as I had before.
This guitar (a 70s Guild) almost seemed to arrive ready to play them… Sometimes that happens with a new instrument. Weeks of writing followed, and I then took them to Ben Hillier to pad out with drums and track at his studio, Agricultural Audio. My longtime collaborator and wife Danielle Perry joined us for those, and we carved them into the Shadowman album with engineer Dan Crook”.
Ben adds, “John came to the studio with some of his new demos. I’ve always loved his singing, and I was blown away by the songs – the space and freedom in there – and by Danielle’s voice. I never knew she could sing! The sessions were fast, reactive – trying to grab the first inspiration. Always in the first three takes. Dan Crook captured everything on 2″ tape from the first note we played. Pete Wareham and Marcus Hamblett added extra colour and depth with their unique sax and brass textures. Then, to finish the production, we had to nurture that fresh energy. Careful not to straighten out the creases or lose the detail. Never flatten the dynamic or over-elaborate”.
