Canada's UMMAGMA have announced the U.S. release of their 'Frequency' EP....
"Back in 2013, Dani Charlton crowned them the winners of the Alternative Eurovision. A really nice breathy bit of electronic postrock dreampop postrock and a bit of shoegaze in there as well. Loving that - well up my street" - Shell Zenner, Amazing Radio
"Ummagma are at the forefront of new shoegaze and dreampop... lifts you gently weightless into orbit, suspended in a sea of twinkling synthesizer stars...a first class ticket into hyperspace" - UK producer Fran Ashcroft (Damon Albarn, Lords of Acid)
Canada's Ummagma have confirmed details for the US release of their ‘Frequency’ EP. This mini-album will be available through Moon Sounds Records and is slated for release on December 4th. Alongside five original tracks, the EP features remixes from Cocteau Twins legend Robin Guthrie, Wales' celebrated Lights That Change, and Malcolm Holmes of Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark (OMD).
Ummagma consists of Shauna McLarnon, who hails from the Yukon Territory, and Alexander Kretov, who was originally from Ukraine before moving to Canada. Since bursting onto the music scene in 2012, they have made a significant impact on the underground music scene. Their potent combination of uplifting and melancholic textured dreampop, shoegaze, postpunk, ambient and electronica has gradually gained them a sizeable international following.
‘Frequency’ follows the band's two debut LPs 'Antigravity' and 'Ummagma', which were simultaneously released in 2012. This release represents a slight departure from the first two albums, which whisked the listener through the romanticism of first meetings, big love, adventures abroad and optimistic dreaming through to the realities of birth, loss, death and departure. In contrast, 'Frequency' explores such themes as space and distance, timelessness, escapism, and the search for tranquility.
Ummagma have blazed quite a trail for themselves in their short history. They've landed press coverage and radio play in more than 50 countries, including Rolling Stone Russia, and have managed to strike an endearing chord with a good number of 'first wave' shoegaze and dreampop artists, particularly from Creation Records and early 4AD rosters.
"Ummagma have something very special about them that you don't find in many bands, that is an honest, believable & beautiful lyric delivered by an honest, believable & beautiful voice," says Malcolm Holmes of OMD. "When you combine this with the swirling ambience of lush layered guitars, this duo end up with their own unique sonic landscape."
"I love the sound, the emotion, the clean cool space. If Underworld or Chemical Bros did Lama, it would be proclaimed an instant classic," says Rudy Tambala of seminal 4AD band A.R. Kane. "Ummagma's music is very powerful and very dreamy," says Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver, Brian Jonestown Massacre).
Joe Foster of Creation Records says "This is really very cosmic music. Made of stardust," while Ray Dickaty (Spiritualized) calls this "A nice slice of electronic pop with a psych folk twist".
While Ummagma may have been influenced by the likes of Cocteau Twins, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel, The Sundays, Pink Floyd and Slowdive, they don't immediately wear their influences on their sleeve. They have their own beautiful and unmistakeable sound and lead you on sonic trips and awesome detours. Ultimately they tell a story in an aesthetic that is wonderfully unique, invigorating and absolutely loaded with hope.
“Everything about this music has gotten us two through some very rough times, giving us moments of peace and joy, however fleeting they may be. A kind of grounding while still maintaining an ethereal space of dreams, possibilities and exploration," explains Ummagma vocalist Shauna McLarnon. "We also hope listeners will be able to take something uplifting from this".
By releasing through Moon Sounds Records, Ummagma joins a roster of some of the most dynamic modern shoegaze and dreampop bands, including Dead Leaf Echo, Ceremony, The Foreign Resort, The Vandelles, Static Daydream, A*Star, Porcupine, Follow The Sea and their newest addition from Australia, Bloodhounds On My Trail.
TRACKLIST:
1. Orion
2. Lama
3. Winter Tale
4. Galacticon
5. Ocean Girl
6. Lama (Robin Guthrie Remix)
7. Lama (Malcolm Holmes’ OMD Remix)
8. Lama (Lights that Change Remix)