Cornish folk band Wake the River release their new single By the Indigo on 30 October, following on from their summer release Run for Love. The press notes say it pairs the layered vocals they are known for with "something a shade funkier".
There is a video too, which shows the four-piece "in a rather surprising guise" among the Cornish bluebells. The release doesn't say what the guise is, so I'm keeping that one as a surprise for the video.
The best detail is from drummer Colin Seddon, who says the outro was written with the band in the room: "I think we inadvertently invented "maths folk"; overlapping repeated harmonies that eventually resolve at the final moment. I was adamant it would work, and it was a delight seeing the band's reaction when it did!"
They have been together for almost 7 years, and describe a mix of folk, indie and grooves from around the globe. A band that gets booked two years running for the main stage at Cornwall Folk Festival, and then earns a Frontier Friday slot for the best emerging music of the Southwest, is clearly building something the hard way. I'm glad to back them, and a drummer happily claiming to have invented "maths folk" is a good enough reason for me to point people at this single.
The band have also been regulars on BBC Introducing, RTÉ Radio 1 and Amazing Radio, and have played live in session on Radio X with John Kennedy. Venues so far include The Bedford in London and the Eden Project.
Credits: guitar from Ashley Height, drums from Colin Seddon and bass from Amy Thompson. Amy Thompson and Heitor Mazzotti handled the recording, Josh Best-Shaw mixed it, Kristofer Harris mastered it and Amy Woodburn did the cover art.
By the Indigo is out on all platforms from 30 October.
Wake the River online:
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waketheriver/
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waketherivermusic
– YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@waketheriver