King Hannah (Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle) have announced their new album Big Swimmer, due for release on 31st May via City Slang. The record was produced by Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Aldous Harding, Perfume Genius) and finds wide-screen inspiration from the band’s time on the road over the past few years across the US, with stints supporting Kurt Vile and Thurston Moore.
They’ve also shared awesome album opener and title-track, featuring guest vocals from Sharon Van Etten, who the band connected with when Van Etten posted about their debut single ‘Crème Brûlée’. The track opens with a starkly vulnerable vocal, Van Etten and Merrick’s voices entwining across this enveloping, rich, and rolling ‘70’s American folk rock influenced track, with subtle strums and cinematic percussive textures, there are echoes of Mazzy Star, marrying darkness with light and carrying home the final message of ‘Big Swimmer’ – never stop swimming.
Vocalist Hannah Merrick has to say on the song –
“I remember sitting at my desk and the song just came pouring out and the big swimmer metaphor instantly felt right; to never give up on whatever it is you’re swimming hard towards. But I like that it questions the listener too, that whenever you’re faced with something challenging, do you carry on swimming or do you jump out and grab our towel? There’s no right answer, but it feels empowering and necessary for the record.”
Filmed in a local sports hall, the accompanying visual features Hannah walking around an empty space in a red flamenco dress against ocean blue walls. By the time the second half of the song hits she has arrived to her band, waiting for her at the other end of the hall and consisting of two small children on guitars and Craig playing a tiny drum kit. Looking like it was shot on 16mm, the video takes inspiration from the look and feel of Craig’s favourite films from the American new wave of the late 60s and 70s.
The band have also announced a run of UK and EU shows for September 2024. Tickets will be available here and go on sale Friday 8th March at 10am local time.
King Hannah – Big Swimmer Tour (2024)
May 15 – 18 – The Great Escape: Brighton (UK)
August 30 – End of the Road: Dorset (UK)
September 5 – Lido: Berlin (DE)
September 9 – Paradiso: Amsterdam (NL)
September 12 – La Maroquinerie: Paris (FR)
September 13 – AB Club: Brussels (BE)
September 25 – Rich Mix: London (UK)
King Hannah – Big Swimmer Tour (2024)
Photo Credit: Katie Silvester
