Leon Vynehall - Nothing Is Still '2018

Tracks list

Following his recent signing to Ninja Tune, Leon Vynehall announces his debut
album Nothing Is Still - a record that sees him digging deeper into the family
history that has always inspired his most iconic tracks, whilst returning to his
own musical roots. 

Nothing Is Still is, at its core, an album dedicated to Vynehall’s
grandparents. Emigrating from a leafy south east U.K. to New York City in the
1960s, their seven-day journey via boat from Southampton to Brooklyn, and the
stories that followed, have only truly come to light upon the passing of his
grandfather four years ago. “I knew they had lived in the U.S. and heard
many anecdotes, but it was only after Pops died and my Nan presented these
polaroids of their time there; of her waitressing at the New York Mayor’s
Ball in ’66, or Pops with horses on a ranch in Arizona, that she delved
deeper into their story, and I started to become overtly inquisitive about
it” Vynehall says, following in depth conversations with his Nan to find
out as much as he could about this part of his family history that was - in a
way that easily resonates with us all - seemingly hidden in plain sight.
“I felt the need to document this period for her, and it all just sort of
snowballed from there.”

The result happened quite naturally, those early conversations going on to form
an album of immense scale, physicality and wonder as well as two accompanying
elements - a Novella and short films which expand the scope and context of the
narrative. This is extended further through the use of visual artist Pol
Bury’s ‘George Washington Bridge, NYC’ from his
‘Cinétisation’ collection as the album artwork; with permission
granted to Vynehall by Burys wife - the artwork was created in New York by Bury
at the same time as the album’s story takes place.

Clearly, that aforementioned feeling of exploration resonates with Vynehall
creatively too. Vynehall has released two extended EPs so far, his 2014
breakthrough Music For The Uninvited (3024) - a record inspired by the funk,
soul and hip-hop tapes his mum used to play on car journeys which finished the
year on a plethora of Best of the Year lists including Pitchfork, FACT and
Resident Advisor who called it one of the most eclectic and rewarding house
records youll hear all year - and 2016s Rojus EP (Running Back) which saw
Vynehall building more layers and broadening the depth of his music to
widespread critical acclaim including DJ Mags Album of the Year and Best New
Music from Pitchfork for fan favourite single Blush. On both, he was crafting
luscious grooves that were destined to dominate dancefloors. Nothing Is Still
however, is defiantly atmospheric and textural, and finds him harnessing his
passion for early contemporary minimalist composers such as Gavin Bryars as well
as records like Philip Glass’ Koyaanisqatsi and Terry Riley’s A
Rainbow In Curved Air.

Written and predominantly performed by Vynehall with additional musicians
including a ten-piece string section arranged by Amy Langley, Finn Peters
(saxophone and flute), and Sam Beste (piano) whom completed the final recording
sessions that took place at Konk Studio’s - Nothing Is Still was mixed by
Blue May in London before making its own transatlantic flight to New York, where
it was mastered at Sterling Sound by Greg Calbi.

As well as being respected for the strength of his musical output, Vynehall has
a global reputation as a DJ and curator. He has hosted and curated
all-night-long residencies worldwide and has become a mainstay at many festivals
including Glastonbury, Field Day and Sonar.

Tracklist:
01. Leon Vynehall - From The Sea/It Looms (Chapters I & II)
02. Leon Vynehall - Movements (Chapter III)
03. Leon Vynehall - Birds On The Tarmac (Footnote III)
04. Leon Vynehall - Julia (Footnote IV)
05. Leon Vynehall - Drinking It In Again (Chapter IV)
06. Leon Vynehall - Trouble - Parts I, II, & III (Chapter V)
07. Leon Vynehall - Envelopes (Chapter VI)
08. Leon Vynehall - English Oak (Chapter VII)
09. Leon Vynehall - Ice Cream (Chapter VIII)
10. Leon Vynehall - It Breaks (Chapter IX)

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