C Duncan has today announced details of the release of his forthcoming debut, Architect, which is set to hit shelves on July 17 courtesy of FatCat Records. The label describe the record as a modern take on the dream-pop formula, mixing lo-fi folk with choral harmonies as well as electronic elements. The label have given us a first look at the video for LP track ‘Here To There’, so take a look at that above.
Architect was written and recorded by Duncan in his bedroom studio, with no contributions from other producers or musicians. Discussing his isolationist recording style, Duncan said: "I was basically left alone for a year to record an album using whatever sounds and software I had in my bedroom. It gave me freedom to add layer upon layer of vocals and play around with instrumental parts a lot. There were no time constraints so I could spend weeks working on each track and getting the sound I wanted without any outside interference. Had I recorded it in a studio I guess it would be a lot more stripped back, although probably a lot cleaner sounding. It wouldn’t have the same intricacies or layers."
Talking about ‘Here To There’, Duncan says: "It’s cheerful, and has a spritely beat. The songs leading up to this one had been more reflective and down tempo, and I wanted to write something upbeat." The video features two pairs of hands interacting whilst various images are projected onto and around them, concluding with the artwork for the single, designed by Duncan himself, being manipulated into a cube-like shape. "I wanted something visually interesting that didn’t stick to any specific narrative," says Duncan. "I didn’t want it to mimic exactly what was going on in the music. Helen Plumb, who made the video, has a great eye for unusual imagery and use of colour and I think she has made a video that really suits the song."
Duncan will likely showcase material from the record at his upcoming live appearances. He is currently set to perform at Live At Leeds on May 2 as well as Brighton’s Great Escape on May 15. He has also promised a string of UK and European dates in support of the record, with details to be revealed later this year. The album will be available to pre-order from the label later this month.
