British Sea Power have launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund their next album, set for release in March 2017.
One such initiative of theirs is an option to purchase an ‘Endless and Irremovable BSP Rock Matelot Entrance Tattoo’, which grants the newly inked fan the ability to attend all future BSP headline shows, BSP-organised events and festivals for the sum of £1,500 per person. Another, cheaper option allows for a three-year guest list for all BSP headline shows and BSP-organised events.
This novel scheme has already raised enough money to let the band continue recording the album. But the band say more funds are needed to complete the album, the title of which is yet to be announced. Noble explains that “[they have] been recording with Cam Blackwood, and it’s been going well”. It sounds as if the band are distancing themselves from the string arrangements and natural-sounding timbres on 2015 album Sea of Brass, with Noble describing the production of their new album as involving “My dog Isla’s bark [as] the snare sound on one track, and, all the better to dash our reputation as bird rockers, we also have the sound of a curlew turned into a well-chilled electronic effect.”
The album is now available for pre-ordering here as a box set. This limited-edition release includes the CD, two discs of demo recordings amongst other odds and ends from the album’s production. Continuing their frankly inspiring range of band merchandise, it also includes a BSP patch, beermat, booklet and text by BSP biographer Roy Wilkinson.