Dunedin Electronica Artist SHARKWEEK Releases Second Album
"Egyptian Lions" is the highly anticipated follow up to Sharkweek's 2006 release "The Hammerhead Nebula".
Sharkweek is the brainchild and solo-project of Dunedin artist and musician Peter Lewis.
The debut album "The Hammerhead Nebula" was released in 2006 to positive praise:
"Layers of keyboard wash form convection currents through which primitive drum machine rhythms clatter. Spoken vocal snippets introduce galaxial and other themes while a prowling keyboard bass glues things together. Sharkweek pulls back from the brink of chaotic overload to simmer with a repressed mania and the effect is serotonin re-uptake inhibition."
- Jacob Connor, NZ Musician Magazine
The new album, "Egyptian Lions" offers similarly lush soundscapes punctuated with surreal samples, playful melodies and manipulated found sounds. The musical themes drift between ambient, pop and dub. The songs are sometimes dreamy, sometimes deliriously playful. There's obvious evidence of Lewis' musical growth, yet it's also familiar enough to be unmistakeably 'Sharkweek'.
Spheres of inspiration include outer space, all manner of pop culture, and infomercials. Musical influence comes from varied sources such as The Orb, Future Sound Of London, Orbital, Boards Of Canada, Lemon Jelly, Astralasia, Banco de Gaia, and New Zealand luminaries like Module and Pitch Black. This eclectic mix, coupled with some stellar guest appearances from other musicians makes for an evocative and sometimes surprising listening experience.
Responses from Sharkweek fans have been very positive:
"A mystical journey through lands afar ... trippy soundscapes, psychedelic ambient dub, futuristic space adventures and glitchy electro pop .. an ear orgasm of sounds that twist and turn evolving into a collection of songs that is intriguing, beautiful and a dose of epic electro trippiness. It has an otherworldly feel, yet is warm and inviting, like friendly aliens .. it's a trek into the deep dark unknown."
"There is an overwhelming feeling of being in some sort of dubbed-out dream ... an abundance of differing textures and tempos that also enhance the subconscious feel of the album (mixing the sounds of yore with those of the now) ... a powerfully contemplative effort from Sharkweek and one that will reward the listener with repeat listens."
"Sharkweek creates worlds within which any number of stories may be told. Listening to the tracks on this album will educate the senses and reorient one’s views to the vast possibilities the ambient mode can bring."
"'Egyptian Lions' is a sonic journey that messes with time nicely, both nostalgic and futuristic. One part plane trip in a canvas and balsa wood De Havilland Mosquito and second part Tardis. You’ll find yourself walking out of a blue phone box in some unknown desert or St Kilda beach even, thinking you are Dr Who or perhaps a Robospacejesus. For some uncensored reality, put on your flying helmet and enjoy the mystical revelations."
"'Egyptian Lions' is full-bodied and warm and thick with ambience and with beats to keep your ears on task. I find myself being drawn into the emotion of each song without trying and almost against my will."
"I imagine this weird elaborate ballroom with inebriated Martians in tall white wigs dancing to songs they have mixed using transmissions sent by Earth back in the 1960s."
NZ$15 in NZ - shipping included
US$15 overseas - shipping included
Order via the Electrode Records website.
For the latest Sharkweek updates and upcoming live dates please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/sharkweek