We are absolutely over the moon to premiere for Backseat Mafia today the new slice of ambient magic from Martin Kennedy ‘s celestial All India Radio. The single, ‘Longevity’, showcases Kennedy’s capacity to collaborate with some of the most exciting musicians around (witness his collaboration with The Church’s Steve Kilbey ‘Jupiter 13‘ which in my opinion is one of the contenders for album of the year) as well as produce his own gems (see my review of All India Radio’s ‘Afterworld’). This time, the artist MANNERISMS has contributed lyrics and vocals while Emily Hopkins has added the dulcet sounds of the harp to the mix.
The result is typical All India Radio: ethereal and ghostly ambient music that evelopes you in a warm glow: arpeggiated synths, crystalline guitars with a touch of pedal steel guitar wailing in the distance and heavenly vocals, layered and harmonious with a yearning, melancholic delivery.
Kennedy says of the track:
Next year I celebrate 25 years playing music as All India Radio so it’s fitting my new single is titled Longevity!
I was surfing Instagram one night during the blur of yet another lockdown and came across Emily Hopkins and her wonderful harp playing. Harp was the instrument I never knew I needed and Emily agreed to collaborate.
Next stop was Netherlands based singer Felice Parqui (Mannerisms) who wrote the lyrics and sang. My vision for the song was something David Lynch-ish, dark, melancholy but beautifully intense and Felice delivers that in spades.
Drums are by Italy based Francesca Prattico and bass by Tasmania’s Corey Gilham. Lastly, Nashville based Dakota Holden added some lovely atmospheric pedal steel, icing on the cake.
The resultant icy ethereal magic reflects the breathtakingly beautiful ambience that All India Radio excels in:
‘Longevity’ is out tomorrow and available to download and stream though all the usual sites as well through the link below replete with some different versions:
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