6 July 2009

Singapore Band The Observatory Releases New Album 'Dark Folke' in July

By News Desk

Local Singaporean band The Observatory has released their fourth highly anticipated album titled Dark Folke this month. Following a 2 year break since their last album, Dark Folke looks set to be better than the last.

With a distinctly folk-rock, jazz and electronica sound to their music, the 6 member band which was formed in 2001, has often been compared with bands such as Massive Attack and the Kings of Convenience. Their main desire is to take music beyond what is acceptable, to challenge and invigorate audience appreciation for work that is experimental, thought-provoking and unpredictable.

They explore universal themes from a distinctly Singaporean perspective and create a rich musical tapestry of unconventional structures, progressive sounds and improvisatory forms.

The release of this new album sets a change in the musical direction for the band, morphing from the progressive rock of their last album A Far Cry From Here into the fluid mystical beast that is Dark Folke.

The album which was recorded and mixed in Bergen, Norway with their longtime collaborator, Jorgen Traeen, a well known producer of bands such as Ultralyd, Motorpsycho and Jaga Jazzist will contain their usual florid mood pieces
that blend with folky acoustics, but the presence of drums will no longer be part of their musical soundscape.

The CD album is a hardbound book, designed and drawn by metal/hardcore/underground illustrator and designer, Justin Bartlett aka Vberkvlt, the artist behind the wicked art of SUNN O))), Moss, Aura Noir and more.

For more on The Observatory check them out here.

The Observatory
Dark Folke Track Listing
1. OMICRON
2. A SHUFFLER IN THE MUD
3. BLOOD RISING
4. EPHEMERON
5. INCASTRATE
6. INVISIBLE ROOM
7. LOWDOWN
8. THE BORING
9. DECARN
10. MIND ROOTS

The Observatory
The HEXA Shows
HEXA I
19 Jul - The Hall at Arts House

HEXA II
25 Jul - Blu Jazz

HEXA III
22 Aug - Home Club

HEXA IV
29 Aug - Hacienda

HEXA V
12 Sep - Sculpture Square

HEXA VI
19 Sep - UCC Theatre