When: 7pm on Friday 26 April 2019
Where: Band on the Wall, 26 Swan Street, Manchester M4 5JZ

We’re delighted to be working with C Duncan again – this time, at Band on the Wall!

Set for release via FatCat Records on 29 March, C Duncan’s highly anticipated third album sees the Scottish multi-instrumentalist ditch his bedroom studio and work with other producers, engineers and musicians for the first time. ‘This was the biggest shift in dynamic for me,’ he explains, ‘having always worked alone, it was a daunting prospect but one I knew I had to explore.’ Navigating themes of love, anxiety and sexuality, Health – produced by Elbow’s Craig Potter – is a deeply personal record that delves into a world Duncan had previously felt uneasy exploring. ‘Writing it was a very cathartic process. It helped me through a lot of tough times and also to celebrate the good,’ he continues. Warm and harmonically rich, Duncan delightfully juxtaposes the vibrant and wholesome aesthetic of the album with an often-darker lyrical undertone, pushing himself to refine and explore new ways of writing. As the sole protagonist of his self-carved niche, Health sees Duncan evolve and expand its parameters in mesmerising fashion.

Out on 18 January, the album’s first single Impossible documents the highs and lows of a long-distance relationship with an ex-boyfriend. ‘At one point he was working night shifts, so it was very hard to communicate with each other because our schedules were completely out of sync. I wanted to see him all of the time, but it was impossible to do at that point in time,’ Duncan explains. Strings and oddball psychedelic sounds combine with equal vigour, its jarring rhythmic art-funk of offering an accurate portrayal based on personal experience.

Following the Mercury nominated debut Architect (2015) and impressive follow up The Midnight Sun (2016), Health’s soaring tapestries achieve what Duncan set out to. ‘With album three I wanted to take a more direct approach, adding even more layers but thematically and lyrically laid bare. Having someone else to bounce production ideas off was really eye-opening for me. In the past I had been very controlling about how everything would sound but Health really showed me the benefit of working with others and made the whole process much less isolating,’ he explains. Packed with fresh ideas and buzzing with invention, Health combines syncopated art-pop piano rhythms with breezy, undulating heartbreak ballads executed with acute precision. As always Duncan has contributed all the artwork surrounding the release, and the colourful and natural aesthetic is reflected in the instrumentation and lyrics.

Tour support comes from Sheffield’s Before Breakfast. Gina, Debra, Annie and Lucy weave strong melodies with piano, cello and vocal harmonies to create an authentic and accomplished sound that is drawn from a wealth of musical experience, from classical to folk, and are inspired by artists including Bjork and Marika Hackman. Before Breakfast have a strong sense of meaning, telling intimate stories about being a woman that resonate with people of all stages of life. The band recently supported Tokio Myers at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, The Sage and Albert Hall, Manchester on his UK tour and have worked with Reverend And The Makers, Jon Boden, The Dunwells and Renegade Brass Band.

This is a 10+ show. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Buy tickets now. Tickets are available from Band on the Wall’s box office (no booking fee), Vinyl Exchange, Ticketline.co.uk, Wegottickets.com and on 0871 220 0260.

Attend on: Facebook