Hare and Hounds

BLACKBUD set to release new self-titled album On June 8th on Independiente Previous press quotes: “A startling debut album… music of such maturity and depth that it is almost supernatural.” – CLASSIC ROCK

“ridiculously talented…it’s our duty to make them famous…” – THE GUARDIAN

“Their divine music will make them stars’”- THE TIMES

BLACKBUD, the critically lauded West Country 3 piece, are finally set to release their much anticipated new, self-titled, Mike Crossey produced (Arctic Monkeys, The Zutons) album ‘Blackbud’ on May 18th through Independiente. The album is a follow up to 2006’s ‘From the Sky’, described at the time by David Sinclair from The Times as a ‘Truly an epic band in the making’, the band and album went on to receive praise and plaudits from the likes of Zane Lowe, MTV2, Uncut Magazine, Classic Rock and The Guardian. Currently still only in their early 20’s, BLACKBUD felt that after the release of a collection of EP’s and their debut album in 06, they needed time away from touring, playing shows and releasing material. They had been signed so early on in their development (at the collective age of 16 years old) and following what was essentially 3 solid years of touring (UK, Europe and the US), the band needed to take some time off. So, in the last 2 years since their debut, the guys all moved out of their family homes and left the confines of sleepy Wiltshire (for London and Bristol), started up a collection of other musical projects and started working as full time musicians, stopped living in each other pockets (where they had been since sixth form) and fed all of that life experience in the song writing process of the new album. As a result, ‘Blackbud’ feels like a grown up and mature piece of work, an album that reflects a band whose musical and personal growth and development was more important to them than rush releasing new material. ‘Blackbud’ the album, is a wonderfully warm and ambitious album which pieces together a patchwork of emotional and bluesy, modern infused folk, epic and ambitious, mile high melodics and driving guitar work. The album brings to mind ‘Pink Moon’ era Nick Drake, ‘’Rumours’ era Fleetwood Mac, early Cream and even the confidence and introspection of modern acts like Elbow and Radiohead. Tracks like ‘Came Down Easy’ with it’s bar room blues and roll sound, the summery, Stranglers like and 60’s era psychedelia of ‘Golden Girl’ and album opener ‘Left your arms empty’ are all prime examples of the song writing development and band confidence that has developed between the two albums. Moving through mellow, acoustic laments, layered vocal harmonies, Muse style distorted bass and robust rhythm sections, blues, rock and rhythm guitar solo’s, beautifully orchestrated strings, feedback climax and crescendos and all topped off by the outstanding vocal from lead guitarist Joe Taylor.

Prior to ‘Blackbud’, the band had already released the massively acclaimed debut Youth (The Verve, Primal Scream) produced ‘Heartbeat’ EP, their David Bottrill (Muse, Peter Gabriel, Tool) produced debut album ‘From the Sky’, AND have toured and played shows with the likes of Hope of the States, Elbow, The Kaiser Chiefs, Editors and Babyshambles. They have also played Glastonbury (over 4 times), Hyde Park Calling, O2 Wireless, T in the Park, Eurosonic, SXSW in Texas as well as shows in NYC, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The band will now be heading out for a bunch of warm up, fan shows in April, with a full set of headline dates to be announced soon across May and June. The band will also be hitting the festival circuit this year, look out for those and some major support slots to come in the following months.