Silk Rock (RSD Aug 29th)

RECORD STORE DAY 2020 RELEASE - AUGUST 29TH DROP

7"

Silk Rock is a new standalone track, which, with ninth album HIGH JANUARY, takes Toronto’s Chris A. Cummings deeper into the Markerverse. Rather than record a B-side, the novel decision to record two separate versions was made. The Marker Starling version was recorded first, with visiting Canadian Cummings (aka Marker Starling, also the song’s composer) on a day trip to Wilton Way studio in London with his regular UK backing band: Euan Rodger (drums), Joe Carvell (bass) and Andy Whitehead (guitar). Joined for this occasion by fellow Canadian Ian Daniel Kehoe (guest vocals) and a 3-piece choir (Victoria Rose Hamblett, Marie Merlet and Aurora Barrett), the group recorded the song in one day, including overdubs. A long-gestating idea which had its origins in the late nineties, the Silk Rock concept had been auditioned and scrapped many times over in Cummings’ home demo lab in Toronto. The main riff had been the basis of many earlier versions. The breakthrough happened with the addition of the chorus - the “can I be myself” section - and the instrumental bridge which uses different chords than the main body of the song. The coda section (“out of this nightmare and into your own dreams”) was also a later addition. The second version of the song, by London’s Haha Sounds Collective and featuring Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier on lead vocals, was recorded subsequently over several sessions, as it was a more elaborate affair involving 12 musicians. Also recorded at Wilton Way by Syd Kemp, the second version takes the initial concept and stretches it out, giving it breathing space and a huge mood. It pares the idea down to its essence, then builds it up vertically, stacking instruments and colours, creating an altogether different experience. SILK ROCK written by Chris A. Cummings (SOCAN) SILK ROCK (Marker Starling version) Personnel: Joe Carvell - bass Chris A. Cummings - Wurlitzer, Clavinet, Philicorda organ, Moog Voyager, lead vocals Ian Daniel Kehoe - guest vocalist Euan Rodger - drums Andy Whitehead - guitar Victoria Rose Hamblett, Marie Merlet, Aurora Barrett - choir Recorded at Wilton Way Engineered by Syd Kemp Mixed by Vincent Hivert Mastered by Paul Rannaud SILK ROCK (Haha Sounds Collective version) Arranged by Haha Sounds Collective Personnel: Laetitia Sadier - lead vocals Victoria Rose Hamblett, Cathy Lucas, Silvia Fiore, Anthony Kastelanides, Milan Monk, Arthur Sajas - choir Joel Burton - piano Syd Kemp - bass Alex McKenzie - flute Milan Monk - vibraphone Cedric Monzali - drums Nathan Pigott - percussion, tenor saxophone and alto saxophone 1 Arthur Sajas - guitar Joseph Stone - alto saxophone 2 Recorded at Wilton Way Engineered and mixed by Syd Kemp Mastered by Jason Mitchell LYRICS Trying to find a way To tell it all, all, all now Trying to find a way To set it down Trying to find a way To tell it all, all, all now Trying to find a way To set it down Spending too much time On the wrong things Spending too much time Getting it wrong Trying to find a way To tell it all, all, all now Trying to find a way Casting it down Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Spending too much time On the wrong things Spending too much time Getting it wrong Spending too much time Spending too much time Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Can I be myself? Can I be myself again? Out of this nightmare and into your dreams Out of this nightmare and into your dreams Out of this nightmare and into your dreams Out of this nightmare and into your dreams You can succeed if you concentrate on your own thing You can succeed if you concentrate on your own thing You can succeed if you concentrate on your own thing You can succeed if you concentrate on your own thing Out of this nightmare Black 7"

This Record Store Day item will be available to purchase in store on Saturday 29th August from 8am and remaining stock will be available to order online from 6pm on Saturday 29th August. Strictly one per customer / no pre-orders.