C Duncan, by Keith Ainsworth
C Duncan has announced a new album, Health, and is teasing news about a UK tour to boot, Getintothis’ Paul Fitzgerald has the details.
March 29 sees the release of Health on Fat Cat Records, the third album from C Duncan.
He’s breaking new and interesting ground. This release marks a big change for him, as it finds him leaving the bedroom studio behind to work with other producers, engineers and musicians (including both his classical musician parents at one point).
The difference in the results of that collaboration is clear from the outset, it feels like he’s pushing himself, testing himself to refine the sound and explore writing in new and possibly challenging ways.
For someone who has accomplished so much by working solo on his first two beautiful and magisterial releases, entering this new territory must have been a richly rewarding experience.
The grandeur of the sound, the sweeping rich harmonies, the music-as-painting feel of C Duncan‘s work is given extra warmth and depth on this record, presumably held by the difference in the writing and recording methods, and his wilful giving up of some of the control, the chance to bounce ideas around with other people.
It’s a very arty album, in the very best possible sense.
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Health takes on a slightly darker tone in parts, lyrically speaking, than his previous work. The title track and current single (produced by Elbow‘s Craig Potter and with Guy Garvey lending a hand with the vocals) finds him discussing with raw honesty the breakup of a previous relationship.
The intensity of that relationship finding its resolve in its necessary ending.
An ending for the good of the mental health of both parties.
C Duncan has gone deeper, wider and taller with this superb new record, and things are just that bit richer and better for it. Have a listen for yourself.
Catch him on tour across the UK in a venue near you.
15th March – SAMA’s Takeover, Paisley
19th April – The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
25th April – The Cluny, Newcastle
26th April – Band on the Wall, Manchester
27th April – Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
29th April – Thekla, Bristol
30th April – Komedia, Brighton
2nd May – Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
3rd May – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
4th May – Live at Leeds Festival, Leeds
5th May – Handmade Festival, Leicester
7th May – The Bullingdon, Oxford
8th May – Scala, London
10th May – Summerhall Arts Centre, Edinburgh
11th May – Maryhill Community Centre Hall, Glasgow
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