The duo John today release a live version of ‘Riddley Scott Walker’ as a single, a highlight from their album A Life Diagrammatic, a record that saw collaboration with esteemed fans including musician/filmmaker Barry Adamson (Magazine/The Bad Seeds) and actor/director Simon Pegg (Mission Impossible/Shaun of the Dead). The live version of ‘Riddley Scott Walker’ was recorded and mixed by Front-Of-House live engineer James King, and is taken from their first-ever live album POST-KINO (Live at Scala) which is available now digitally and on limited edition eco-mix vinyl via Brace Yourself and Pets Care Records. POST-KINO consciously preserves the moment without over-sterilisation. The ricochets from the former cinema walls (hence KINO: a term derived from the German Kinematograph film projector) similarly honoured by celebrated mastering engineer Katie Tavini. As with the rest of their discography, the artwork – designed by John Newton (drummer. vocalist) of the band – is meticulous in its detail, whilst also refusing the high resolution performance photographs that we might expect from such a release.
Newton shares the following on ‘Riddley Scott Walker’ :
“It’s a track that is pretty emblematic of the sound that we’ve developed as a duo over the years. There’s a deliberate underlaying swing that just felt exciting when we were in the writing room, and it’s little surprise that this usually transfers to feet shuffling on the floors out front of us when played in a live setting. We’ve become acutely aware of the need to push and pull dynamics as a two piece, making sure that the energetic peaks are built and framed throughout the meander of each track.”
“Barry Adamson was invited to guest on the track having found out that he enjoyed what we did. I managed to get the chance to meet him for coffee to discuss the idea – and of course – take my moment to pick his brains about working with the likes of David Lynch, Nick Cave – alongside his current solo work, which serendipitously included the soundtrack to a film about the history of the Scala Cinema. Live performances mean that I have to pull together my best ‘Barry’ impression. I don’t quite have his smooth bassy tone in my vocal arsenal but think I manage to nail it as best I can!”
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