Another Month On The Trail

Hi, it's been a while since I've done this, but I've just uploaded a new unreleased track "Another Month On The Trail" to soundcloud...

It's inspired by some vicarious travelling I've done recently and aims to capture at least part of the feeling of absolute freedom you can occasionally get, if you're lucky, while travelling. It was written as part of the same process as the 'Exploration and Ascent' album but unfortunately finished too late to be included. It may also be the closest that I've yet come to the shoegaze genre!

If you have time, any streams/ comments are of course very much appreciated.

Cheers,
NC Alastair

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Melorman 'Deep' : Northcape Remix

SSS049 Melorman 'Waves Remixes' will be released this September, featuring artwork by Shift and a great line-up. I'm happy to say that a Northcape remix of Melorman's "Deep" is the first track on the album.

The Northcape mix is up now on soundcloud, feel free to check it out!

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Giles Croft reviews 'Exploration and Ascent'

Giles (better known as @drfrot on twitter) has very kindly reviewed the new album, and emailed me a copy. I'm reposting it below. Many thanks Giles for taking the time to do this!

"Magnum Opus? Close followers of Northcape's own brand of warm, melodic electronica will know there's another release that sits between 2010's masterpiece Captured From Static and this latest offering. It's significant, because Alluvial EP - available for free download at the official Northcape website (http://www.northcapemusic.co.uk/alluvial-ep/) - served as a portent for what was to come in this, his finest hour. Where Captured From Static practically fizzed at times with electronic energy, ranging basslines and playful beats (if you don't already have it, get it now - it's spectacular), Alluvial EP was a much more ambient offering, said to have been inspired by "geology, human prehistory and the idea of 'deep time'- how incredibly long it has taken the planet to evolve". Both releases were outstanding in their own right, and in Exploration & Ascent, their styles have been in some way intertwined to give us the very best of both …indeed you could almost listen to all three in order, with Exploration & Ascent coming as the conclusion to a slowly evolving trilogy - a musical equivalent of his 'deep time', if you like. There is much of Alluvial EP in here - that connection to landscape, the cinematic imagery the sounds evoke - but this time it's done with real intent, as we are taken on a journey from one end of the album to the other. It's a true "long player" in the pre-digital music sense; something we know from interviews that Northcape takes seriously as an artist. So while favourites will inevitably be subjected to repeat plays, it's almost inconceivable to listen to tracks in isolation - not because they wouldn't work; simply because once you've heard the whole album, you wouldn't dre [...]

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New album released!

Hi, a quick note to let everyone know that, finally, 'Exploration and Ascent' is fully available through Sun Sea Sky in both digital and CD format. You can pick it up through Bandcamp, iTunes, n5mailorder and others, including Linus Records shortly if you are based in Japan!

All the reviews of the album to date can be read here as well.

As always, this is an independent release, neither myself nor the label have a large budget for publicity, so anything you can do to help spread the word would be greatly appreciated!

To celebrate the release I have shared another track from the album on soundcloud - (constructive) comments very welcome!

http://www.northcapemusic.co.uk/news/

Exploration and Ascent CD has just arrived...

and I thought I'd post some images here. Delivery... The CD (outside and inside) The CD with limited edition poster & badges (The last items are limited quantity only with pre-orders). Very happy with how these came out. Thanks to Sun Sea Sky for making this happen!

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Exploration and Ascent Remixed

Hi, I'm happy to announce that a remixed compilation to the forthcoming album 'Exploration and Ascent' will be available on the 11th of June through Sun Sea Sky for free download. It contains a remixed version of every track from the original album, from a range of very talented artists in the electronic, IDM and ambient fields. The tracklisting is below - all tracks mastered by Trevor Parsons TPX.

1) Cleaning The Glass (Apta Remix) 2) Trailhead (Follow Me Remix by åpne sinn) 3) Potentilla (Melorman Remix) 4) The First Crossing Of The Watershed (Imja Lake Remix by Distant Fires Burning) 5) Arrive Ruttledge Col (Dementio13 Remix) 6) Another Endless Morning (Specta Ciera Remix) 7) Meltwater (Dalot Remix) 8) High Mountain Record (Z-Arc Remix) 9) Mackerel Sky (Pinklogik Remix) 10) Last View (Rykard Remix) 11) Carbon (Earthbound Remix)

I'm excited to be associated with this project, and will obviously let you know more prior to the release!

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Reviews of 'Exploration and Ascent'

"Exploration and Ascent is Northcape's 4th album and second from the Illinois based Sun Sea Sky imprint. While his last outing Captured From Static had echoes of Toytronic recordings stalwart Gimmik as well as some undercurrents of mid era New Order this new album which apparently is inspired by Himalayan exploration has an even more laid back feel than its predecesor. Alastair Brown the man behind Northcape seems to have really found his niche with this one as the album features carefully crafted melodies that can, and do, conjure up visions of distant snowy peaks, crisp blue skies, and melting glaciers where clouds seem to be just within grasp." n5md "This album made me think of the mighty Boards Of Canada and their seminal classic "Music Has The Right To Children" ... the warmth of the synths ... the skittering beats ... it was almost an instant connection and, if I am truly honest, I cannot think of a greater compliment... Yes, I do love this album and look forward to long, lazy Sunday afternoons ... out in my back garden or in a park ... with this album providing the soundtrack to the moment. It has that kind of vibe about it ... the deservedly relaxed feel you get when you kick back after a hard day's work." Headphonaught

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Interview with Headphonaught

Hi,

I've just been interviewed by Headphonaught, aka Thomas Mathie, on his excellent 'Nanolog' about my approach to music and the new album. Thomas has also filed the first review of the new album to date...

If you're interested, you can read the interview here: Seven Questions With Northcape

and the review here:Exploration and Ascent: Headphonaught review.

Thanks for everyone who has heard and commented on the album by the way, please keep it coming and spread the word if you like it!

Cheers,

NC

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Pre-orders of the new album are now available!

Hi, just a quick post to say that 'Exploration and Ascent' is available for pre-order today through Bandcamp and Sun Sea Sky - http://sunseasky.bandcamp.com/album/exploration-and-ascent [preview streams + instant download]. Comes with a free poster + button, subject to availability. The physical album is released on the 14th of May, and the stand-alone digital download will also be available (without CD purchase) on the same date. Hope you enjoy, NC PS. If you can do anything to help promote this (review, radio play, mentions, tell others) it is greatly appreciated (review copies are also available)! Please let me know.

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Free Sampler

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Sampler

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Exploration and Ascent - Pre-orders and Release date!

I know it has been a considerable wait, but I'm very pleased to finally announce that pre-orders of the new album "Exploration and Ascent" will be available from Sun Sea Sky through bandcamp from Tuesday 9th April, and the 'official' release date will follow on Tuesday 14th May! Pre-ordering the CD will get you not only an immediate download of the digital tracks but also a poster of the E&A artwork + badge (limited quantities of both are available!)... pretty happy with the artwork so I think the poster will look quite impressive. As a sample of the album I have just shared TWO more tracks on Soundcloud. Plays and comments (positive only, obviously...) are very welcome!

A lot of work has gone into the release, and I'm excited that people will finally be able hear it in its entirety. Any help you can give to help the label and myself with spreading the word, reviews, etc is very, very much appreciated!

http://www.northcapemusic.co.uk/news/

Laurence Made Me Cry 'Paper Chains' - Northcape remix (limited free download!)

Hi - I'm pleased to say that a remix of the lovely 'Paper Chains' by Cardiff-based folk singer-songwriter Jo Whitby - Laurence Made Me Cry - is now up on soundcloud and also can be streamed below. There are only 1000 free downloads available so I recommend you get this quickly!

I really enjoyed working on this - obviously I don't normally work with vocals so it was fantastic to have the opportunity to work with not one, but two great vocal tracks, and the lyrics were also inspiring - thanks to Jo for the opportunity! I've stayed true to the original but tried to put a Northcape melodic electronic spin on the whole thing, you might notice that bass sound! The new Laurence Made Me Cry album is out on 11/03/2013 and available now for pre-order on bandcamp- I highly recommend you check it out.

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New album update: February 2013

Hi, I'm aware there hasn't been much news on here for a bit so I thought I'd share the latest information. I know it's taking a while, sorry about the delay - but that is because this is being done properly and I think that the attention to detail that we are trying to put into the whole process (both myself and the label) will pay off in the final result! Sun Sea Sky are still sorting out the scheduling of the album, but you can expect pre-orders to be available through bandcamp in the relatively near future. These will come with a free badge and poster, the poster can be seen below. I'm quite pleased with how this has come out.

Expect more news soon regarding release dates. There are also various excellent artists working on a remix EP of tracks from the album, it's sounding great so far, and details of this to follow as well including details of the artists involved! It will be a free release through Sun Sea Sky

Cheers, and thanks for your patience! NC

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