SHIFT-STATIC | TESSERA SKIES

Today’s tip is a double header covering two pretty special artists who will be featured as part of Roundhouse 30/30. The project is a joint initiative between The Roundhouse, EMI, Livewire and Generator and saw 30 emerging artists recording new tracks with top producers in November. The tracks will be released on Roundhouse Records, and be showcased at the Roundhouse Rising event in London in February.

First up are Shift-Static. The Newcastle band sidled gracefully onto the scene with the Sky Burial EP just over a year ago, and it’s still a regular on my headphones now. The EP was a wonderful collection of slow-burning electronic beauty, and their new track ‘Estrella’ (recorded with Rui Da Silva) is in a similar vein. It’s an elegant, unhurried piece of music, hinging on the emotive power of Laura Smith’s vocal which overlays the gorgeously textured electronica. In short, it’s an absolute cracker.

Also featured in the project are fellow Newcastle types Tessera Skies. Their short time as a band has already seen them building up an enviable amount of acclaim, including an impressive endorsement from Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde. Last year they worked with similarly otherworldly genius Ajimal, which was a perfect syncing of artists. ‘Milieu’, produced by Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, is just as beautiful as the Ajimal collaboration. Built around a gentle piano melody and featuring the same kind of little-boy-lost vocal with which Fyfe Dangerfield used to make grown men cry, it’s a glorious example of just how powerful music can be.

Words by Paul Brown

Tips courtesy of Joe Frankland