Centred round the songs of principal writer James Howard, Gobstopper is the compelling and cinematic result of two years’ work with Ursula Russell (who penned two tracks), Dimitrios Ntontis (Dimi the Greek), legendary producer Capitol K, and a host of other beautiful characters. Recorded at London’s vital Total Refreshment Studio, every track exquisitely delivered with layers of harmony and instrumentation. The cover art is painted by London artist, Phillip Reeves, taking Mingus’ The Clown as its starting point.
Gobstopper represents an expansion of sound and a widening of subject: it is an album sung from inside the gluttonised belly of up-for-grabs capitalist Britain, swallowing up whatever is in its way: a jukebox on the coast, “see-through wheels on a see-through motorway”, Soho square policemen and silent discos. The record roams like a child on a sugar high turning over stones, sometimes finding compassion, sometimes the weird and beautiful, and sometimes just woodlice. Gobstopper narrates the poetic shift: observation and tellings on the experience, emotion when our gaze turns to that curious realm that exists between the day to day living, common need and the conditioned madness of the island of Great Britain.
Since Blue House introduced themselves with 2016’s acclaimed Suppose, two singles have graced the airwaves: the sombre ‘Something Else Will Come Along’ (included here on Gobstopper) and the limited Record Store Day dub cut 7” ‘A Ticket For The London Necropolis Railway’, a collaboration with French singer Clémentine March. James Howard is a regular fixture in Alabaster Deplume’s live outfit, and released a solo album “Battle OF The Grumbles” (2018) under the alias “Thomas Nation”, twisted lo-fi folk spontaneously recorded to 8 track tape at label partner John Johanna’s IMZIM studio. Ursula is now Snapped Ankles drummer and has new music coming out as Ursa Major Moving Group, while Dimi the Greek plays with various projects (e.g. Pregoblin) in addition to his work composing for film. The group also established the Incredible Society of Popular Song in south London, putting on shows and fighting back against the ‘gastronomic pub’ redevelopment of music venues.
credits
released April 19, 2019
Recorded and mixed by Kristian Craig Robinson
Produced by Kristian Craig Robinson and Blue House
Performers:
Margate Jukebox
Words: James Howard
Music: James Howard
Performers: James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Accelerate
Words: Ursula Russell
Music: Ursula Russell, James Howard, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Performers: Ursula Russell, James Howard, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Formless Man
Words: James Howard
Music: James Howard, Dimitrios Ntontis
Performers: James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Firefly
Words: James Howard
Music: James Howard
Performers: James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Talkies
Words: James Howard
Music: James Howard
Performers: James Howard, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard, Dan Leavers
Stainless Steel
Words: Ursula Russell, James Howard
Music: Ursula Russell, James Howard, David Miller, Dimitrios Ntontis
Performers: Ursula Russell, James Howard, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Stay With Me
Words: Toby Thompson, James Howard
Music: James Howard
Performers: Toby Thompson, James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard, Alabaster Deplume, Wasil Shavek
Delectica
Words: James Howard
Music: James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis
Performers: James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard
Something Else Will Come Along
Words: James Howard
Music: James Howard, Dimtrios Ntontis, Ursula Russell
Performers: James Howard, Ursula Russell, Dimitrios Ntontis, David Miller, Jacob Smedegaard, Alabaster Deplume
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