Around Clerkenwell, Longboat’s founder has begun presenting piano-only versions of songs from the band’s extensive catalogue. Drawing on a repertoire of around 100 songs, these performances form part of a growing relationship with London. That relationship also informs Proud of My Postcode, an all-electronic album scheduled for release at the end of September.
The founder currently divides his time between Seattle and Britain while putting plans in place to make the UK his permanent home. His experiences of the two places offer contrasting sources of inspiration: Seattle’s surrounding natural landscape on one hand, and Britain’s long history, visible throughout its towns and cities, on the other. The new album follows the details that have interested him along the way.
Recorded at Strongroom Studios in Shoreditch with Will Davies engineering, Proud of My Postcode explores both historical and present-day Britain. Its perspective is affectionate without claiming to represent the whole country. Everyday life is especially important to the writing, with the founder noting, “I particularly like the way people celebrate the mundane here between various and sundry political and economic crises.”
The release is Longboat’s 37th album, extending a musical project established in Seattle in 2011. While the forthcoming record uses an electronic format, the Clerkenwell performances offer a more stripped-back presentation of the band’s songwriting. With hopes of taking those piano-only shows beyond the area, Longboat’s founder is continuing to develop his British connection both in the studio and in person.
