UK producer Leon Vynehall launches his first album on UK institution Ninja Tune. His 2014 breakthrough Music For The Uninvited was inspired by the funk, soul and hip-hop tapes his mother used to play to him during his youth. It was much lauded by critics and made several best of year lists. This was followed by 2016's Rojus (Designed To Dance) on Running Back, which saw the Leicester based producer building more layers and broadening the depth of his music to widespread critical acclaim. His debut album, Nothing Is Still, is his most deeply personal offering yet, which delves into his family history whilst returning to his own musical roots.
The album is dedicated to Vynehall’s grandparents, who emigrated from Southampton to Brooklyn in the 1960s. He knew they had lived in the U.S. and heard many anecdotes, but it was only after his grandfather passed away four years ago that he became fascinated with their experiences. He felt the need to document this period for his ‘Nan’, and that is how the narrative that accompanies this emotional musical journey came to fruition. The story is told from the perspective of Stephanie, a young mother struggling to find a sense of place and purpose 'in an American Dream she no longer recognises as her own.'
Nothing Is Still, is defiantly atmospheric and textural, and finds him harnessing his passion for early contemporary minimalist composers such as Gavin Bryars as well as records like Philip Glass’ Koyaanisqatsi and Terry Riley’s A Rainbow In Curved Air. Written and predominantly performed by Vynehall with additional musicians including a ten-piece string section arranged by Amy Langley, Finn Peters (saxophone and flute), and Sam Beste (piano) whom completed the final recording sessions that took place at Konk Studio’s - Nothing Is Still was mixed by Blue May in London before making its own transatlantic flight to New York, where it was mastered at Sterling Sound by Greg Calbi.
The album cover is ‘George Washington Bridge, NYC’ by Belgian painter Pol Bury, which was created in New York at the same time as the album’s story takes place. To add to the album’s narrative and visual elements, two tracks: "Movements" (Chapter III) and "Envelopes" (Chapter VI) both feature as novellas (written by Vynehall and Max Sztyber) and have also been given conceptual film clips directed by Young Replicant - which can be viewed via the Ninja Tune website and popular online channels.
Vynehall will be performing Nothing Is Still live featuring a full band, with concerts planned in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and London at the end of June and early July 2018.
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