#theacademyofsun | Weathered Music

I love it when some new music comes along, and it gobsmacks me right square in my face. Well, that happened to me this week. The artist in question goes by the moniker The Academy of Sun; quiet a mouthful ain’t it! They are a psychedelic post-punk quartet anchored around Nick Hudson on piano, synths, Hammond organ, harmonium, vocals, percussion, synths. Along with the rock-solid accompaniment of Kianna Blue on bass and synths. Guy Brice treats us to his guitar playing, and Ash Babb keeps it rock steady on percussion. This 7″ release from Heaven’s Lathe follows the sonic holiday of their 2020 album The Quiet Earth, which I highly recommend you to give a listen.

The A-side of this recording, ‘It Is Finished When It’s Destroyed,’ comes at us as a two for the price of one recording. It makes a grand entrance with smooth as silk synths and builds on that into soaring vocals that segues into staccato percussion and harmonious vocals. The second section sees Hudson’s keening vocal riding over the percussion of floor toms and more synths. Mixed by acclaimed US producer Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Danny Elfman, Earth, Mandy OST), the attention to detail and the tasteful placement of sounds make it all work together for one heck of a good song. The flipside ‘Ghost Foxes‘ opens with the rat-a-tat of drums and rapid-fire singing from Nick Hudson that left me tired just listening to. These two tracks present The Academy of Sun as a band going places.

“The first The Academy Of Sun track I’ve written since finishing writing ‘The Quiet Earth’ in 2018, this is an aquaplaning freight train of psychedelia and snarl – with the second part endlessly modulating over a skittery, syncopated drum pattern and Mariana Trench-plumbing synths. Whether it is lyrically directed at the heinous cabal of xenophobic disaster capitalists currently holed up in UK parliament remains to be seen (it is),” says Nick Hudson.

“‘Ghost Foxes’ was written for ‘The Quiet Earth,’ but never felt “right” until we were asked to create this release. A satire on esotericism, boasting yet another Herzog quote and some mesmerizing guitar tones from our plank-wielder, Guy Brice, ‘Ghost Foxes’ was always riotous to play live, and will be again.”

On Friday, July 2 at 6 PM BST, Heaven’s Lathe will be releasing this on a 7″ lathe-cut vinyl through Heaven’s Lathe on Bandcamp.

This black hand-numbered 7″ high-quality stereo lathe-cut vinyl features an engraved Heavens Lathe logo, a 230gsm sleeve, black inner sleeve and PVC protective sleeve. Ships within a white poly-lined inner paper sleeve and a ‘lathe cut’ care card include digital download. Otherwise, these tracks will be available digitally in mid-August.

CREDITS

Written by Nick Hudson, arranged by The Academy Of Sun:

Nick Hudson, Guy Brice, Kianna Blue, Ash Babb

Vocals & synths recorded by Nick Hudson at The Lament Configuration.

Bass recorded by Kianna Blue at Alfie Towers.

A side guitars/drums recorded by Joseph Thorpe at Brighton Electric.

B side drums recorded by Paul Pascoe at Church Road Studios, Hove.

A side mixed by Randall Dunn at Circular Ruin Studios NYC.

B side mixed by Paul Pascoe at Church Road Studios Hove.

Mastered by Randall Dunn at Circular Ruin Studios NYC.

Artwork & layout by Ash Babb, Cover painting by Nick Hudson.

All lathe cutting and engineering are by Michael Lawrence.

Design by Lauren Winton (Bladud Flies!)

Keep up with The Academy of Sun

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“Voyeurs Who Offer Nothing” is the opening track from the new album Font Of Human Fractures by Nick Hudson. I don’t know a lot about Nick Hudson, but I know that he has something to offer. What he is offering is the first solo album from him in five years. It’s not like he has been sitting on his hands for the last five years. Nick Hudson is a busy person, recording with The Academy of Sun, painting, doing film work, and if that isn’t enough, he just finished writing a novel. Hudson has also collaborated with Wayne Hussey of The Mission, and Matthew Seligman (Bowie, Tori Amos, Morrissey) and members of NYC’s Kayo Dot, David Tibet (Current 93), Asva and Canadian queercore icon GB Jones. As part of the band, The Academy Of Sun, he collaborated with Massive Attack’s Shara Nelson. Whew, I get tired just writing his bio.

Font Of Human Fractures is an interesting name for an album or anything when I stop thinking about it. Font, a source of a desirable quality or commodity. That part makes sense to me; Nick Hudson’s music is undoubtedly a desirable commodity. It was recorded and mastered at Church Road Studios by Paul Pascoe (Barry Adamson, Beat Hotel); this 10-track offering is Hudson’s first solo studio LP since ‘Ganymede In A State Of War’ (2016).

Font Of Human Fractures is a mesmerizing album. From the opening moments of the first song, Voyeurs Who Offer Nothing, the music that Nick Hudson has created kept me glued to my speakers. Forty minutes later, I was listening to those opening moments again, and forty minutes later…you get the drift. This album’s primary weapon of choice is the piano with tasteful accompaniment by violin(s), the voice of Nick Hudson, some fascinating samples and background vocals, as well as a church organ, round out the arsenal. I can’t describe the sounds, the music is fresh and at times startling; you have to hear it for yourself. It has elements that would not be out of place in True Detective (Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson).

I’ll let Nick Hudson tell you more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPXQg-sj70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxhR48f2kes

Bottom line, I developed a fascination for this album that made me curiouser and curiouser every time I listened to it.

Bottom of the bottom line, I will keep listening to this album, and you should do yourself a favour and buy it on Bandcamp.

As of April 30, the ‘Font of Human Fractures’ album will be available on vinyl and digitally
via Spotify and Apple Music. Both are also available directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

Keep up with Nick Hudson / The Academy of Sun

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VIDEOS

‘Come Back When There’s Nothing Left’ https://youtu.be/UlXla5YJYLQ

‘Surkov’s Dream’ https://youtu.be/2vwSuA3Lmj8

‘There is No Such Thing as You’ (live in Sophia)

https://youtu.be/riJ5qsSHutg

‘Surkov’s Dream’ single teaser https://youtu.be/U4VZkqsEWJU

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Weathered Music

The musical explorations of Norman and Joel Weatherly.

Tag Archives: #theacademyofsun

The Academy of Sun

Nick Hudson/Font Of Human Fractures