Ground Control Touring

Since the release of their last album, ‘Love Kraft’ in 2005, SFA have been far from taking a break. Projects keeping them busy include: an change of record label, working on individual projects (Candylion / Acid Casuals / Y Peth / Neon Neon / Trojan compilation) embarking on some orchestral work with renowned British composer Charles Hazelwood (as part of their work on producing two albums simultaneously – watch this space!) and writing and recording ‘Hey Venus!’ as well as album #9 (recording is imminent).

As well as a change of record label and engineers/producers (Hey Venus! was recorded by David Newfeld – Broken Social Scene and mixed by Chris Shaw and SFA), the other distinctive difference between this album and their previous releases is the artwork. Hugely dedicated fans and friends of their long time collaborator Pete Fowler, ‘Hey Venus!’ is the first album not to be graced with his work in the past six releases.

This time round the band especially commissioned artwork by cult Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami, under a shroud of technology and indirect communication we have been delivered a visual treat worthy of complimenting the sweet audio.

Mr Tanaami was given free reign over the look and feel of the record, having never even heard of, seen or spoken to the band –he was left to his own devises for a number of weeks with only the following brief synopsis in the form of a letter for guidance:

Dear Mr Tanaami,

We have been big fans of your work for some time. We have toured many times in Japan and were gradually introduced to your work by friends. It would be an honour to have one of our sleeves designed by you.

The new Super Furry Animals album is a collection of 12 autonomous songs ranging in styles from country and contemporary rock music to orchestral psychedelic pop. However there are common threads that link the songs thematically.

The central character that emerges from these songs is that of an optimistic young woman. Leaving behind a fairly sheltered upbringing in a small distant town and following a break up with her first true love she moves to the city to seek love and glory.

Here as a displaced migrant she encounters many problems, the vast scale of the city metropolis, the insane cacophony of mass consumerism and failed relationships drives her to the edge. She briefly has a break as a TV star having been discovered by a fashion photographer at a gardening tools shop., but as her career dives, is forced to work at ‘Crazy Naked Girls’ strip club. She assumes a hedonistic existence but this in turn leads to the death of her young child.

She is left a rather bitter disenchanted and corrupted individual but at this point finds true love and salvation from the most unexpected quarter. We leave her as a strong experienced individual prepared for all situations.

We hope you enjoy the music and you are inspired by the themes above.

We can be contacted 24 hours a day should you need further information,

Yours Sincerely,

The Super Furry Animals

The results of this exciting new ‘collaboration’ are clear. Mr Tanaami got it right on the button.

‘Hey Venus!’ begins with the release of first single ‘Show Your Hand’ on August 13 along with many a live performance at this years’ summer festivals. A full UK tour is planed for October & November.

Never losing their touch, the peerlessly inventive SFA cement their importance in today’s musical landscape by producing a wealth of work that both inspires and bemuse; lyrically, musically and artistically.

‘Hey Venus!’
The Gateway Song
Runaway
Show Your Hand
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Neo Consumer
Into The Night
Baby Ate My Eight Ball
Carbon Dating
Suckers
Battersea Odyssey
Let The Wolves Howl At The Moon

One of the greatest bands this world has ever had the privilege to call their own, SFA’s prolific creative output assuredly continues, let’s celebrate.