Visionary director, photographer and producer, Robert Ascroft unveils a captivating musical odyssey akin to the cinematic allure of Wim Wenders’ “Until The End Of The World” and evoking the ethereal resonance found in 4AD’s This Mortal Coil.
His upcoming album Echo Still Remains is now set for a February 14th release date (moved from its original January 31st release date due to complications from the Los Angeles fires) on Hand Drawn Dracula. Drawing from a diverse array of talented friends, Ascroft curates a mesmerizing ensemble of vocal performances featuring luminaries such as Christopher Owens (Girls), Britta Phillips (Luna, Dean & Britta), Tess Parks, Ruth Radelet (Chromatics), Guy Blakeslee (The Entrance Band), Ora Cogan and Zumi Rosow (Black Lips).
Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps, Gun Club) is featured on his latest single “Devil Opens The Door,” out today.
On the track, Kid Congo Powers shares, “”Devil Opens The Door” is a swampy, gritty groove courtesy of my friend Robert Ascroft’s wicked songwriting and guitar playing. For my vocal I let loose with Devilish screams that would make even the underworld blush, while Roger Brogan’s primal drumbeat keeps your hips moving underneath. In the video directed by Robert, I channel my inner televangelist, preaching fire and brimstone about the dangers lurking on your TV screen. It’s loud, raw, and just naughty enough—exactly how rock ’n’ roll is meant to be.”
Check out the video on YouTube, and pre-save the album here.
The album takes on a further rich and dynamic sound with the recording contributions of Grammy Award winning audio engineer Ted Young (Rolling Stones, Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth), the mixing of Larry Crane (Elliott Smith, The Shins, She & Him), additional production by Manny Nieto (Kim Deal, The Breeders) and mastering by Josh Bonati (Mac DeMarco, Wild Nothing, Slowdive).
Echo Still Remains transcends traditional musical boundaries, beckoning listeners into a world crafted from Ascroft’s vivid imagination. Each track unfolds like a technicolor scene in a cinematic narrative, with each melody and lyric evoking a sense of profound introspection and wonder. Accompanied by stylized music videos in Ascroft’s distinct visual world, Echo Still Remains” emerges as a multifaceted work of art, inviting listeners to stir the soul and lose themselves in a world of sound and sensation.
Emerging as a prominent photographer in the 2000s, Ascroft forged his path through collaborations with luminaries of the Oscars, Grammys, Tonys, and Emmys from Cate Blanchett, Ryan Gosling, to The Killers, Mark Ronson and A$AP Rocky. With an innate ability to capture the essence of his subjects through his camera lens, he redefines photography, infusing it with depth, emotion, and narrative. A classically trained guitarist turned music producer, Ascroft weaves intricate melodies and evocative songwriting with cinematic narratives.
Keep your mind open.
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[Thanks to George at Terrorbird Media.]