Idlewild
As the online activity ramped up this week and details emerge of the return of Scotland’s finest, Getintothis’ Howard Doupé can’t contain his excitement.
Idlewild’s promise of new material in 2019 has been confirmed with the announcement of their eighth studio album entitled Interview Music on April 5.
After a series of Facebook profile pic changes this past week and a picture of singer Roddy Womble posted on Twitter midweek, asking ‘who’s ready for something new’,
All the signs were pointing towards an announcement. Needless to say the video posted Thursday made it clear news was imminent.
It’s been a long wait since Everything Ever Written released in 2015 which saw them back in the top 20 after a five year break. With a renewed sense of inspiration they decamped at the end of a US tour in 2016 to Los Angeles to flesh out their ideas, but it would be some years before they set themselves up at guitarist Rod Jones’ own Edinburgh studio to finish the record.
‘A lot of the songs are about dreams and dreaming and the thoughts and ideas that come from this state,’ says Woomble. ‘I live in the Scottish Highlands, and between there and California you’ve got two locations that can put you in a dream like state – driving down Sunset Boulevard as the sun sets or driving over the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula as the sun rises. The world seems unreal, magical. You’re dreaming through a landscape.’
Before finishing the album, the band performed a run of shows to celebrate the anniversary for their seminal record The Remote Part. One of those shows would see them meet up once again with the producer of that record and 100 Broken Windows, Dave Eringa, who would provide Idlewild with the grounding they needed to finish Interview Music.
‘Dave produced five songs on the album, but also brought a focus back to the band, and actually made us finish it!’ admits Woomble ‘He made it sound like us.’
Lead track Dream Variations has now landed- despite opinion, it might not be what you’re expecting. Bringing a world of psychedelia with its fever-dream melody complimenting their trademark guitar riff-laden signature sound. All of a sudden a surprise left-turn is taken, drifting into a waltz-like trance. It’s both refreshing as it is expansive.
Idlewild – INTERVIEW MUSIC artwork
A string of Spring UK tour dates have also been announced to coincide, with an appearance at Grand Central Hall for the opening night April 19.
It’s been a long time since Idlewild visited the city- 2010 at The Masque to be precise- whilst smaller than they’re use to packing out, the Edwardian Baroque grandeur of the hall will be a fitting venue for their return.
Pre-orders for Interview Music have gone live, giving pre-sale access to tour tickets next week.
Idlewild play Grand Central Hall Friday April 19.
Full UK tour dates:
April 19: Grand Central Hall, Liverpool
April 20: Anson Rooms, Bristol
April 22: Phoenix, Exeter
April 23: Engine Rooms, Southampton
April 25: Beckett University, Leeds
April 26: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
April 28: O2 Institute, Birmingham
April 29: O2 Ritz, Manchester
April 30: The Waterfront, Norwich
May 1: Junction, Cambridge
May 2: Riverside, Newcastle
May 4: Barrowland, Glasgow
May 5: Music Hall, Aberdeen
Tickets for the tour go on general sale Friday February 15.
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