Jape
Inspired by the desire to return to the form of classic songs, layered with kaleidoscopic oddness, Irish artist Jape announces the release of their sixth album ‘Endless Thread’ on Faction September 2023. The announcement comes with the release of a new single taken from the album ‘Heal These Wounds’ out July 18th.
Taking cues from the endlessly inventive solo records of the 1970’s, ( think Paul McCartney, Judee Sill, Robert Wyatt, John Cale etc. ) as well as present day production techniques, Endless Thread is memorable, uncomplicated and positive.
From a humorous contemplation on infinity, ‘The Hilbert Hotel’ to catchy brainworm ‘Lashing Through the Minutes’ or a Beatles-y take on a family Christmas with board games, ‘In Our Home’ - Endless Thread shows a songwriter spreading their wings and having fun, making music for the sake of the songs, pulling them from the air and dressing them.
Richard Egan produced and recorded the album at RARN studio using a unique collection of ribbon microphones, tape machines and tube outboard equipment. The album was mixed by David Odlum ( Sam Smith, Lisa O’ Neill ) and mastered by Seán Mac Erlaine. The artwork was assembled by M&E Sweden.
‘I’ve been putting all my focus onto getting into the tiny details of songs these days, there is so much joy in the details. The title Endless Thread reminds me we are all stitches on the rug of time who influence each other and inspire people in ways we don’t even know half the time, whether it’s an artist from the past or a thread on a social media page.
The first release from the record will be ‘Heal These Wounds’ - an upbeat song written around the time I was writing a lot of songs for cartoons, it’s a song that made me fall back in love with writing again, I listen to a lot of experimental and ‘weird’ music, however I always seem to fall back to the melodic side of things, in the past I sort of ran away from that but this time I thought I should embrace it as it seems to be what I might be good at.’ Richard Egan
Endless Thread is released on Faction Records Friday 29th. September 2023. ‘Heal These Wounds’ out 18th. July.
Catch Jape live:
Fri 20-Oct Dublin Button Factory
Sat 21-Oct Dublin Whelans
Thu 02-Nov Cork Coughlans Live
Fri 03-Nov Clonakilty DeBarras
Sat 04-Nov Limerick Dolans, Kasbah
Sun 05-Nov Galway Roisin Dubh
Judee Sill - The Kiss
From her album Heart Food, Judee Sill was the real whole deal and didn’t and doesn’t get half enough praise for being one of the greatest songwriters of her generation, just pure beauty and ambiguous intrigue.
John Cale - Cleo
From one of the all time greats, comes Cleo from his 1970 record Vintage Violence - funny, menacing and catchy all at once, love this shit man lash it into my veins.
Dangerous by Amy Montgomery
From Rock Bottom we find Robert saying Joking Apart when you’re drunk you’re terrific. I can relate but maybe in terms of myself, although I don’t drink any more though.
Paul McCartney / Wings - Single Pigeon
What a tune, you get the feeling it was a throwaway one for him but it is still better than the songs people spend years writing. Sublime work from the master.
Aldous Harding - Treasure
Ah Aldous. I saw her flawless live performance in the NCH a while ago and it floored me, she’s one of the best doing it at the minute bar none, I bow down to her songs.
PJ Harvey - A Child’s Question, July
From new album which is a slow burner this tune is wacky kind of reminds me of Warlords of Pez / Spinal Tap but has a real PJ twist.
Lankum - The Young People
What a band Lankum are, they always intrigue me and no more than with this song which is heart bracingly beautiful with lyrics that stop me in my tracks any time I hear it.
Ethel Cain - American Teenager
I’m a sucker for this wide vista longing American type of pop, Ethel Cain is a very welcome voice in the current world of music, this tune reveals itself over a few listens with a sadness coupled with flawless vocal performance. I wanna know her story.
Night Owl - Gerry Rafferty
Has there ever been a song that describes the dull cyclical excitement of being an alcoholic ? The lyrics be making grown men cry, and the melody as usual to die for with Gerry, would love to make an album with this vibe.
The Park - Feist
My daughter loves this tune and so do I. Kind of an Elton John vibe 2023 vibe - perfect songwriting in the classic sense and a lovely voice also a mad fucked up video that you have to see to believe. I love it and I love music.
