Whoever coined that axiom that goes something like “doing the same thing over again and expecting different results is called ‘insanity’” apparently never heard of Canadian tape/voice/instrument-manipulator Ian William Craig. Because damned if Craig isn’t literally returning to the same music that comprised his 2016 triumph Centres for an album-length EP called Slow Vessels.
And just in case you’re in doubt about the “different results” part, but he’s he’s just shared the first track, a slowed-down, acoustic revisit of “Arrive, Arrive.” The newly reworked piece (and presumably, Slow Vessels as a whole) offers a new take on the impressionistic songs of Centres, with toned-down tape manipulation and a greater focus on Craig’s foundational songwriting. The intent, according to the press release, is to present the music “stripped back, raw and predominantly acoustic, the songs returned to their point of origin.”
Slow Vessels is set for release on May 5 via 130701 (head to Amazon to pre-order the vinyl now), and “Arrive, Arrive” is available to stream now via Soundcloud.
But if you still just really need something “brand new” in order to leave this news post feeling satisfied, Craig has also shared the first dates for his headlining European tour later this year (with more dates TBA). Check those never-before-announced dates out below after the other stuff. There. Now everybody’s happy.
Slow Vessels tracklisting:
01. Arrive, Arrive
02. The Nearness
03. A Single Hope
04. Purpose (Is No Country)
05. Contain
06. Set To Lapse
Ian William Craig dates:
05.01.17 - Krems, Austria - Donau Festival
05.04.17 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Le Bourg
05.08.17 - London, UK - Oslo
05.10.17 - Dublin, Ireland - Bello Bar
05.11.17 - Bristol, UK - The Cube
05.12.17 - Brighton, UK - Rose Hill Arts Centre