Aldous Harding has revealed a new video for the single ‘Blend’, plus details of her biggest UK and European tour yet.Taken from her
latest album, Party, the visuals for‘Blend’ were created by Charlotte Evans, the New Zealand filmmaker and editor also responsible for Harding’s previous videos for ‘Horizon’ and ‘Imagining My Man’.
Disquieting in its nature, and inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary war film Apocalypse Now, Harding goes into
further detail -
“The concept is based on that awful scene from 'Apocalypse Now' where the playmates pile out of the helicopter. The
costume was handmade for me, it turned out great. It's in the bin. I spent eight hours dancing on a Lazy Susan, it was
easy really. Obviously I know what it is... The song itself was written in an AirBnB in Bristol the night before going
into the studio.”
Harding’s second album Party was produced with the award-winning John Parish (PJ Harvey, Sparklehorse) in his hometown of Bristol, taking Harding away from her New Zealand base for an intensive
two-week immersion in the studio. As well as a raft of musical contributions from Parish, Perfume Genius’s Mike Hadreas lends vocals to recent single ‘Imagining My Man’ and Party closer ‘Swell Does The Skull’. Party has dazzled the
critics, leading to a startling performance of ‘Horizon’ on Later... with Jools Holland (which can be viewed here).With a summer of festival appearances to come, Harding is currently on tour through North America before returning to
New Zealand for three sold-out shows at Auckland's historic Pah Homestead. Last week Harding announced her full tour
European schedule for the Autumn. In addition to the London and rescheduled Bristol shows, Harding will headline dates
in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Brighton and Birmingham in November.
“Harding is nothing less than amazing – a nuanced musician, a startling writer and a presence so intense.”- The Observer *****
”Spellbinding songs.” - The Guardian ****
“Party recalls Perhacs and Bunyan, Nico and Joni, but these are thoroughly modern songs – and very much Harding’s own.”
- Uncut 8/10
"Aldous Harding's 'Party' is both exhilarating and chilling." - NZ Herald ****
“Understated yet charismatic, Harding has the gift of making reality seem like a very fragile and porous thing indeed.” - Q ****
“Truly captivating.” - DIY ****
“A talent at the very start of her creative life.” - Loud And Quiet (8/10)
Official videos for ‘Horizon’ and ‘Imagining My Man’, both directed by Charlotte Evans, can be viewed below.
‘Horizon’ https://youtu.be/m4dVkoOMjLo
‘Imagining My Man’ https://youtu.be/xE-A0cNSLmc
ALDOUS HARDING ONLINE: