Aldous Harding releases her debut album today in the USA on Flying Nun Records. She is also on tour with Deerhunter - dates below
"timeless, and the voice is uniquely her own" - Jim DeRogatis / Sound Opinions 3.5/4
"Compelling, gothic-folk first from NZ newcomer." - UNCUT 4/5 stars
"Soft chanting and singing saws add mystery to a beguiling debut" - MOJO 4/5 stars
"reminiscent of '60s folk in its melancholy acoustic-based instrumentation, but with a modern lyrical approach" - Stereogum
"a haunting element...like Marissa Nadler or Emma Ruth Rundle" - Brooklyn Vegan
"spellbinding" - Line of the Best Fit
Aldous Harding's music is not for the faint of heart. Disarming in its desolate imagery and stark instrumentation, it deals with the raw materials of life: death, birth, grief and love. There are few happy endings, but the power is in how Harding enters into battle; with a dancer's grace and a boxer's stance.
Sometimes reminiscent of 60s-era folk singers Vashti Bunyan and Linda Perhacs, Harding's work lies in more harsh terrain than her forebears - piercing the long history of the genre with a grit and sincerity rarely encountered. Somewhat out of step with the 21st Century, Aldous' music is accompanied by wry wit and tenacious gall that will see her become a true stayer in the music world.
Residing in New Zealand's Southern port town of Lyttelton, Aldous has received attention and accolades from some of the most illustrious corners of the music industry, with influential BBC DJs Marc Riley and Mary Anne Hobbs picking up on several tracks. Aldous recently signed a worldwide publishing co-deal with Domino Publishing and Native Tongue. She has been pursuing a rigorous festival circuit over the past few years, including The Great Escape (UK); Torstrasse Festival (GER); Les Femmes s'en Mêlent (FR); H20 Festival (FIN); Big Sound, Golden Plains Festival (AUS); The Others Way Festival (NZ) plus many more.
She's toured with Perfume Genius, Mac DeMarco, US Girls, Eleanor Friedberger, Mutual Benefit and will tour for the very first time in the U.S. this October in support of Deerhunter.
Aldous Harding was recorded with Ben Edwards (Marlon Williams) in his studio, The Sitting Room. Her debut album finally sees its U.S. release today on Flying Nun Records.
Aldous Harding Live Dates:
* - w/ Deerhunter
10/5: Madison Theater - Covington, KY *
10/6: Headliner's Music Hall - Louisville, KY *
10/7: Cain's Ballroom - Tulsa, OK *
10/8: Granada Theater - Dallas, TX *
10/9: White Oak Music Hall - Houston, TX *
10/11: Meow Wolf - Santa Fe, NM *
10/12: 191 Toole - Tucson, AZ *
10/16: Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR *
10/17: Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT *
10/18: Gothic Theatre - Denver, CO *
10/19: Blue Note - Columbia, MO *
10/20: First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN *
10/21: Metro - Chicago, IL *
10/22: Musica - Akron, OH *
10/24: Webster Hall - New York, NY *
10/25: Baltimore Soundstage - Baltimore, MD *
10/26: The Smell - Los Angeles, CA