It’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog but a lot of things have been lead up to this moment over the last two years – the release of my debut album ‘Watch/Illuminate’ on the London label Mystery Plays Records on Monday 18th June.
PRESS RELEASE:
A hero of the burgeoning alternative Australian music scene, Canberra born singer and producer Shoeb Ahmad’s debut solo record, ‘Watch/Illuminate’, is a masterpiece of ambient drone and gorgeous minimal melodicism. Watch/Illuminate finds a perfect balance between space-y, cinematic soundscapes and delicate, chiming chill wave pop.
Drawing influence from past masters of ambient song-writing such as Talk Talk and shoegaze legends Slowdive as well as contemporary electronica producers including James Blake and Toro Y Moi, ‘Watch/Illuminate’ is a fascinating synergy of old and new, a hinterland crossroads of the ever-shifting face of contemporary pop music. Produced at home in Canberra and on the road throughout the south-eastern territories of Oz, NZ and Asia, ‘Watch/Illuminate’ is a document of one man’s travels across seas and oceans, deserts and savannah. Guest performers include Colombian singer Lucrecia Perez and acclaimed sound artist Lawrence English.
Shoeb Ahmad’s reputation on the Australian and south east Asian contemporary music scenes has long been cemented following a series of collaborations and tours throughout the continents with some of the biggest names of the scene. His duo with world-renowned Australian drummer Evan Dorrian (Spartak) have toured several times in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan to widespread critical acclaim. Under his solo guise Shoeb has had a lot of coverage on all major radio networks in Australia, including FBI in Sydney and RTR in Perth and been featured on blogs from Los Angeles to Toronto, London to Sydney and had mainstream press features in Australasia and far beyond.
LAUNCH DATES:
Saturday 16th June, 8pm – Cafe Oto, London w/ Leverton Fox + Flights Of Helios
Monday 18th June, 8pm – The Cellar, Oxford w/ Grudle Bay, Black Fantasy + After The Thought
Thursday 21st June, 7pm – Rough Trade East, London (in-store performance)
+ MORE DATES TO FOLLOW IN AUSTRALIA LATE 2012
