Beak> are back!
Whilst there has been a lot of attention - and deservedly so - on Beth Gibbons return after what seems like an eternity, fellow Portishead genius Geoff Barrow, together with Billy Fuller and Will Young (<sigh> no, not that one) released >>>> at the end of May.
Their first album in six years, according to the promo the songs were recorded "in a house called Pen Y Bryn in Talsarnau, Wales [...] Remote and with only ourselves and the view of Portmeirion in the distance." The album was completed at Invada in Bristol and released via the label of the same name.
A video for The Seal was posted on You Tube last week and gives you a flavour of what to expect. >>>> ploughs a similar Krautrock/motorik groove as before, though none the less engaging or infectious for that.
Another characteristic of naming songs after places in Bristol and neighbouring counties is also present and correct. >>>>'s contribution to this alternative road map is Windmill Hill. Not an usual name as of itself, lots of places use it, but I used to live near this one in South Bristol, which is home to a rather lovely city farm.
Here's another called Iron Acton, going back to their very first release in 2009 and geographically the closest to Casa K's current location.
Coincidentally,
I was there at the weekend with Mrs. K, looking for another barrow, of the wheeled variety. No
luck there but we came away with a bird bath instead. First world
problems, eh? As a wee boy, my parents used to drive past the road signs
for this place, which I would misread as Iron Action. The reality is
there's not much action in Iron Acton but the music is great...!
Beak> have also recorded several sessions for Mark Riley's show on BBC 6Music which are worth checking out. In July 2019, they delivered a 4-song set, opening with covers of two Gary Numan classics, Cars and Films. Great stuff.
Beak> will be playing a few summer festivals and then touring the UK later this year, concluding with a hometown gig at SWX in Bristol on 14th December. I've got my ticket...see you there?
