Melbourne chanteuse Grace Cummings has the voice of an angel and the capacity to deliver the most ethereal and atmospheric music in the process. Case in point is her new single ‘On and On’ which floats in the ether like a diaphanous silken scarf billowing on the breeze.
Accompanied by a lush and cinematic video directed by James Gorter, the track has the same genetic code as artists like Sharon Van Etten, with Cummings’s delicate expressive vocals soaring over instrumentation punctuated by an enigmatic riff and a driving rhythm. A slight hint of horns at the edges follows the piano lilt, and there is an achingly beautiful melancholia throughout that builds up like a sparking fuse. The lyrics are evocative and just as expressive as the music:
When the rain starts falling
And my eyes start their yawning
What a place, to be falling
On and on
This is elegant and stately music of the highest order:
The single is out now and heralds the release of Cummings’s newly announced album ‘Ramona’, out on 5 April 5th via ATO Records/[PIAS]/Virgin Music Australia – Pre-order here.
Recorded at Wilson’s Fivestar Studios in Topanga Canyon, ‘Ramona’ came to life in collaboration with a stacked lineup of musicians that includes harpist Mary Lattimore and string arranger/multi-instrumentalist Drew Erickson (Weyes Blood, Mitski, Lana Del Rey). Featuring Cummings on guitar and piano and Wilson on guitar, drums, banjo, and organ, Cummings says:
I wanted everything and the kitchen sink on this record, to make it as big and dramatic as possible and show a whole range of colours. Jonathan and all the other musicians are so incredibly good at what they do, and so considered in their approach, but there was also a sense of fun and lightness in the studio that allowed me to be myself.
You can catch Cummings on tour across the UK and Europe later this year – details as follows.
Wed 15 May – Forest National – Brussels Belgium *
Thu 16 May – Stadthalle – Offenbach, Germany *
Sat 18 May – Forum Karlin – Prague, Czechia *
Sun 19 May – Arena Wien – Vienna, Austria *
Mon 20 May – Columbiahalle – Berlin, Germany *
Tue 21 May – Kantine am Berghain – Berlin, Germany
Thu 23 May – AFAS Live – Amsterdam, Netherlands *
Fri 24 May – Lexington – London, United Kingdom
Sun 26 May – Olympia – Liverpool, United Kingdom *
Mon 27 May – Usher Hall – Edinburgh, United Kingdom *
Wed 29 May – Civic Halls – Wolverhampton, United Kingdom *
Thu 30 May – Bristol Beacon – Bristol, United Kingdom *
Fri 31 May – Brighton Dome – Brighton, United Kingdom *
Sun 02 Jun – Maifeld Derby – Mannheim, Germany
Mon 03 Jun – Import Export – Munich, Germany
Tue 04 Jun – Unaltrofestival @ Circolo Magnolia – Milan, Italy *
Fri 07 Jun – La Boule Noire – Paris, France
Wed 12 Jun – Bergenfest – Bergen, Norway
*King Gizzard Support
Feature Photograph: Tajette O’Halloran
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