“White As Diamonds” is taken from the forthcoming album “To Be Still” (16th Feb), the follow-up to Alela Dianes critically-acclaimed 2006 debut The Pirates Gospel which brought the Nevada City, CA-reared musician a passionate following across the Globe especially in Europe where Alela's built a huge fan base.
Recorded in Nevada City and Portland, Ore., it’s a gorgeous sonic expansion of her sparse debut, featuring pedal steel, violin and rustic percussion, with lyrics tangled up in brambles and foxtails and wind-whipped sea cliffs. From the woozy folk flourishes of opener “Dry Grass & Shadows,” to the heart-shattering final track, “Lady Divine”
“It began in Portland, OR and was finished in scatters between tours at my dad’s home studio in Nevada City, CA,” Alela says. “I wanted to record this collection of songs using arrangements which would represent them in their finest form. These songs requested more instrumental filigree than those on The Pirate’s Gospel. It was challenging to delicately yet purposefully incorporate instrumentation into songs that I was so used to singing by myself. I was determined to make it work, because I wanted percussion! I wanted to hear the lonesome bow of the violin! I heard many harmonies in my head, and so I set out to capture them.”
This fantastic new album comes hot on the heels of the Headless Heroes album The Silence of Love which Alela contributed vocals for and has gained much critical acclaim, as well as thousands of new fans!
Alela Diane UK Live dates:
25th March - The Sage, Gateshead
26th March - ABC2, Glasgow
27th March - The Deaf Institue, Manchester
29th March - Howard Assembly Room, Leeds
30th March - St Giles Church, London (SOLD OUT)
Praise for Alela Diane's debut "The Pirates Gospel"
"Your album of the year, you just haven't heard it yet" The Guardian
"A campfire folk gem perfect for the summer festivals" NME
“It began in Portland, OR and was finished in scatters between tours at my dad’s home studio in Nevada City, CA,” Alela says. “I wanted to record this collection of songs using arrangements which would represent them in their finest form. These songs requested more instrumental filigree than those on The Pirate’s Gospel. It was challenging to delicately yet purposefully incorporate instrumentation into songs that I was so used to singing by myself. I was determined to make it work, because I wanted percussion! I wanted to hear the lonesome bow of the violin! I heard many harmonies in my head, and so I set out to capture them.”
This fantastic new album comes hot on the heels of the Headless Heroes album The Silence of Love which Alela contributed vocals for and has gained much critical acclaim, as well as thousands of new fans!
Alela Diane UK Live dates:
25th March - The Sage, Gateshead
26th March - ABC2, Glasgow
27th March - The Deaf Institue, Manchester
29th March - Howard Assembly Room, Leeds
30th March - St Giles Church, London (SOLD OUT)
Praise for Alela Diane's debut "The Pirates Gospel"
"Your album of the year, you just haven't heard it yet" The Guardian
"A campfire folk gem perfect for the summer festivals" NME
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great information about the song!
-Esther