epic45 // ‘Drakelow’ vinyl reissue…

Those lovely chaps over at Norman Records are set to release the second in the ongoing series of epic45 album vinyl reissues in early January 2013. The 8 track Drakelow gets the reissue treatment this time, with a new remaster specifically for this release. This will come in two different editions – 100 copy run on heavyweight black vinyl and a 300 copy run on heavyweight grey coloured vinyl. Both versions will be housed in a full colour, spined card sleeve which includes photographs taken from a recent revisiting of the area surrounding Drakelow tunnels in Worcestershire, England – the original source of inspiration for this release.

Click here or the cover above to pre-order Drakelow for £9.99 – expected to ship 4th January 2013.

For those unfamilar with this release, here is a brief synopsis by Scott Sinfield, founder of Make Mine Music, written around the time of its original release in 2006.

” Drakelow is the new 26-minute EP by epic45. Written in response to a visit that two of the band undertook to an abandoned underground military complex, the sound captures perfectly the spirit and atmosphere of the surroundings that inspired it. “Drakelow” evokes a dark, brooding menace as deep drones and cavernous reverberations engulf the listener. The music is by turns dense and claustrophobic, nostalgic and full of longing. Best played at night, in the dark, on headphones, the EP is profoundly and deeply affecting. If you’re after musical comparisons, there are certain similarities with the ‘isolationist’ school of ambient or the alien soundscapes of Biosphere and Fennesz. This is not purely mood music, however, as tracks like “English Clock Systems” and “They Cut into the Hill” ably demonstrate, epic45 can weave sublime melodies. What is clear is that epic45 have excelled themselves and pushed their music into new and unexpected territories. These days, too few bands are prepared to take risks. Epic45 are clearly one of those that do, and when such experiments yield results like “Drakelow”, we should be all the more thankful for it.”

W&W T-Shirt // Brown

Afternoon folks. We have a very limited run of brown Gildan T-Shirts for sale via our Big Cartel page, with the W&W circular logo design screenprinted in white ink – for £10 (plus p&p). Only a few left so click here to order. More designs coming soon.

The Passage // Charity video

It was a great pleasure for us as epic45 to be asked to soundtrack this charity video produced by Simon Christopher, for the London based homeless charity, The Passage. A re-edited version of ‘The Future Is Blinding’ was used from ‘In All The Empty Houses’, in this powerful and uplifting short film. It premiered last week at the Royal Festival Hall in London in front of a 3000 strong sell-out crowd . Congratulations to Simon on producing this brilliant film, and for asking us to be involved.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/53018928 w=500&h=281]

Henry and The Passage from Simon Christopher on Vimeo.

W&W015 // Component#4 – Barbed Wire Sunday // OUT NOW

After months of preparation, we can finally announce the release of the debut 12″ EP from Component#4, AKA Mike Rowley (live member of epic45 and My Autumn Empire). The EP is available from Norman Records and available digitally now via iTunes etc.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/33773452″ params=”show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=000000″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Born and raised in the post-industrial, post-Thatcher remnants of the Black Country region of England, Rowley draws on the decaying factories, vandalised bus shelters and litter-strewn canals which formed the landscape of his childhood. A multi instrumentalist, Rowley was formerly the drummer for postpunk/ math-rock group The Arm and has contributed and collaborated with Wayside and Woodland artists epic45 and My Autumn Empire.

The EP, ‘Barbed Wire Sunday’, was inspired by two recent trips to Berlin, where the juxtaposition of crumbling ruins and pristine new developments inspired Rowley to create new soundscapes upon his return to England.

Degraded, sparse rhythms and bass contrast with clean, melodic synths and drum pads, capturing the contradictory, restless nature of the built environment. This six track EP will certainly appeal to fans of Burial, early Warp records and New Order.

The 12” vinyl edition also comes with a download code which gives access to a remixed version of the EP, with each track reworked by W&W artists such as Charles Vaughan, E.L Heath, Field Harmonics and Ben Holton – as well as close friends Fieldhead (Gizeh Records) and Arc Vel (First Fold Records).

Click here to purchase via Norman Records.

There is also a very limited quantity of 20 special collectors sets which contain an exclusive red W&W t-shirt, 12″ EP and download code, a unique playing card used in the shoot of the Component#4 video we posted a few week ago, plus a W&W badge and sticker. These can be purchased now from our Big Cartel shop, but are strictly limited and will sell fast – so be quick folks. These will be shipped week commencing 12th November. *As with the My Autumn Empire set, this pack will not contain any extra music from the version onsale via Norman Records. *