A Blaze Of Feather to release debut album next month

The news of a full-length arrives only shortly after the release of debut EP EP 1, which arrived earlier this month, and just ahead of a busy summer of festivalling.

Long-time Ben Howard collaborator Mickey Smith leads the six-piece, which actually features the same cast of musicians as Howard's band, including former Hiss Golden Messenger percussionist Kyle Keegan and even Howard himself. Smith, Howard, and guitarist Nat Watson produced the LP in a "makeshift studio" in Cornwall; it's mixed by Nicolas Vernhes (The War On Drugs, Daughter).

"The songs that form this self-titled debut LP were sparked amongst the Winter storms that haunt the west coasts of Ireland and Cornwall," explains Smith. "Touring and living on the road away from family can take their toll and it's only after you return you really know the cost. Each one of us walks our own thread of sanity. For myself, the strange hope of fatherhood flickers amongst the shadows of grief and memories of loved ones lost. I count myself lucky to play in a band that offers sanctuary on many levels and shape shifts so instinctively together. It's a rare understanding to share and something we don't take for granted. This past year has spun by so fast we weren't at all ready to match its pace, but we've rolled on as best we can. We have only just finished recording this record, most tracks were put down live and spontaneously. Now we are standing back and taking a look at the whole picture... to me it's music for the madness of life, death, and the bittersweet spaces in between."

Tickets for the South West England tour, which sees A Blaze Of Feather headline shows in Falmouth, St Ives, Bristol, and Exeter, are on general sale from 2 June. Find out more.

Tracklist:

1. Valkyrie
2. Six Years
3. Greatest Heights
4. Dust In The World
5. Requiem
6. Soft Day
7. Threads
8. Behold
9. More Than I
10. Grace
11. Seasons
12. We Were Here
13. Raise A Glass