It’s been almost two years since Australia saw or heard from Jen Cloher. This November she returns with her band The Endless Sea, to co-headline a run of intimate dates with fellow Melburnian Laura Jean.
Over the past 12 months, Jen has been writing her sophomore LP, scheduled for release early 2009. Recorded live over seven days at Woodstock Studios Melbourne, the album was engineered by Paul McKercher (Augie March, Sarah Blasko) and produced by Laura Jean and Jen Cloher.
The first single Hidden Hands, mixed by Tony Espie (Avalanches, Architecture in Helsinki), will be released digitally on October the 10th 2008.
Harnessing the dark folk-country elements of their first release Dead Wood Falls, Hidden Hands shifts focus from singer-songwriter to band. Drawing on the powerful guitar driven sounds they have developed in their live shows, Hidden Hands sits on the brink of discomfort with Cloher’s confessional vocal delivery offset to angular guitar noise, a pounding rhythm section, bold brass arrangements and an apocalyptic choir.
Jen received critical acclaim for her debut LP, Dead Wood Falls (2006), earning an ARIA nomination for Best Female Artist. The strength of her live shows has placed her firmly in that special group of local female artists who command attention, doubling their audience on each return performance.
‘An astonishingly accomplished debut…delivering abundant cause for Cloher to be counted amongst this country’s very brightest of young things.’ Rhythms
‘The most impressive debut of the year.’ The Sydney Morning Herald
‘Praise the Lord, from the quagmire of mediocre wannabes also glows the invincible musicianship of one Jen Cloher...to all the cynics who have lost faith in local folk, stop saying nay and just bloody go and see Jen Cloher.’ Inpress
Hidden Hands will be available as a digital download from October 10th, 2008.
Aaaahhhhhhhh such a good feeling to know that in just two weeks we will be hitting the road again for an east coast jaunt with our friend Laura Jean. (Adelaide, Perth and Tassie we promise to come your way next year for the album tour). I love Laura Jean, she is one of the most talented songwriters and musicians I know. LJ helped produce the album with us and we have even managed to finagle her into playing piano with The Endless Sea for the tour.
We also have a couple of new members along for the ride - Biddy Connor on viola and musical saw and Tom Healy on electric guitars. Biddy Connor arranged strings and brass for our forthcoming album (out early next year) she is an amazing player and I am very excited to be playing with her. Tom Healy is a kiwi chap I met while living in Auckland, he is originally from the Marlborough wine region. We call him Tommy Badapple for no good reason. He is young, super smart and ridiculously talented.
In case your wondering what happened to Andrea (Droid) Sumner our violinist and comedienne - rest assured she lays safely in a shallow grave just west of Melbourne.
Michael Hubbard our regular axeman is touring with his other band !?#! Downhills Home, supporting famous American rockstars like the Dandy Warhols. He did play on the album though, and will be back on the road with us next year.
Andrea is living in Madrid. We miss her.
Jen Sholakis is still schlappin' the skins and Lord Geoffrey laying down those fat bass lines we have come to know and love.
SO it's going to be new and fun and a bit of a ride for everyone. Can't wait to see you there.