Alt-folk balladeer and singer-songwriter of the truth, Steve Abel is proud to announce the release of his long-awaited third album: Luck/Hope to be released August 5th 2016 on his own Kin’sland Records via Arcade Records and Rhythmethod and DRM distribution.
Accompanying the news, Abel is set to deliver the video off Luck/Hope for single titled “Best Thing“, which follows the earlier single “Sidewalk Doves”. The video for“Best Thing” has been created by acclaimed New Zealand film maker, Florian Habicht and will go public on Friday July 15th along with the single becoming an instant grat track on iTunes ore-orders of the album.
WATCH THE TRAILER ABOVE
The full video goes public on Friday July 15th, 2016 – subscribe to Steve Abel’s channel to see!
AUCKLAND:
Saturday 6th August at Wine Cellar
Tickets $15 available from Undertheradar from Friday July 15
WELLINGTON:
Thursday 18th August at Meow
Tickets $15 available from Undertheradar from Friday July 15
PAEKAKARIKI:
Friday 19th August at Raumati Social Club
Tickets $15 on the door
– more dates to be announced –
Following a hiatus from releasing musical material to the world, Abel steps out from behind the curtains with this emphatic and moving return. It is Abel’s third album, following his universally acclaimed sophomore release, FLAX HAPPY and his unshakeable debut, Little Death described as “a melancholic masterpiece” byPavement Magazine.
The early sketches of Luck/Hope took place long ago, coming to shape sporadically between the first recording sessions in New York City in November 2009 and the final mastering touches that took place in New Zealand through the winter of 2015.
It has been a long time coming, but now it is here. “Birth, death, debt, day-job, despondency are my poor excuses,” says Abel. “I am exceedingly happy with this album Luck/Hope, it’s got that magic you strive for, thanks to the great players and technicians, and I’m over the moon that it’s finally going out into the world.”
Making the record, Abel worked with an array of fine musicians locally and abroad including previous collaborator Jolie Holland, multi-instrumentalist and engineer Shahzad Ismaily (Bonnie Prince Billie, Yoko Ono, Laurie Anderson), and local musician and engineer Milan Borich. Also featured are Grey Gersten, Geoff Maddock (Goldenhorse), Gareth Thomas (goodshirt), Buzz Moller, Ed McWilliams, Cole Goodly and Mike Hall.
“Arrant musical hypnosis… a treasure” – William Dart, Radio NZ Concert FM (on Little Death)
“Abel is a refined writer whose lyrics have a bone-bare quality – the sound of someone writing and singing from a place where there is no guile, just hard truth and clear eyes.” – Graham Reid, Elsewhere
“A Rarity” – The New Zealand Herald (on FLAX HAPPY)
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“The escalating-in-excellence Steve Abel – his latest album is really good, and you’d buy it if you knew about how good it was. Equal parts disturbing and lullaby-esque. Sparse but dense, quiet but intense. Consummately relaxed danger.” – The Quietus + Pop Musicology UK: Daniel Ross (on FLAX HAPPY)
“Sublime” – Dominion Post
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Steve Abel – Luck/Hope
Tracklist:
1. Best Thing
2. First Part
3. Trying
4. Dance
5. Not Going Anywhere
6. Sidewalk Doves
7. Good Arm
8. Luck Hope
Luck/Hope is out August 5th on Kin’sland Records / Arcade Records
via Rhythmethod & DRM
Find Steve Abel online:
Official Website / Bandcamp / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify