Sea of Bees is following up the highly acclaimed “Songs For the Ravens” with the digital single “Gnomes” in August from Crossbill. We will be talking more about the single as it gets closer to the release date, but here’s a rundown of the tracks on ‘Gnomes’. The title track is quietly disarming, propelled by a characteristic child-like vocal, wrapping intimate musings against a backdrop of rhythmic guitar riffs. It is alluring in its mysterious and fragmented beauty and a clear album highlight. ‘Gnomes’ is accompanied by a remix by a Tunng remix – the folk experimentalists contort the original, chopping the vocals in amongst Eastern strings, both urgent and exhilarating. ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ is a cover of Blue Oyster Cult and sees Sea Of Bees collaborate with Neal Casal who once again showcases his fine craftsmanship, having been a key member of Ryan Adam’s The Cardinals. To round off the EP ‘With Or Without You’ is a delicate, wistful cover of the U2 classic.
U.K. SUMMER TOUR DATES:
26th June, Sunday- Glastonbury
Sunday 1pm The Park Stage
(w/ Gruff Rhys / John Grant / Lykke Li / The Bees / James Vincent McMorrow / Jonny / The Pierces / Troy Ellis)
Sunday 5pm acoustic performance @ the Tripod Stage
Sunday 7pm acoustic performance @ The Crows Nest
28th June, Tuesday — London
Dalston Roof Park
30th June, Thursday — London
Dalston Roof Park
1st July, Friday — Manchester
Deaf Institute
2nd July, Saturday — Leeds
Brudenell
3rd July, Sunday — Leicester
Lock 42
5th July, Tuesday — York
Dutchess
6th July, Wednesday — Middlesbrough
Westgarth Social
7th July, Thursday — Newscastle
Cluny
8th July, Friday — Liverpool
The Scandinavian Church
10th July, Sunday — Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
11th July, Monday — Norwich
Arts Centre
12th July, Tuesday — Northampton
Roadmender Underground
13th July Wednesday — Cambridge
Portland Arms
16th July, Saturday — Cardiff
Clwb Ifor Bach
17th July, Sunday — Bristol
The Louisiana
18th July, Monday — Southampton
Joiners
19th July, Tuesday — Winchester
The Railway Inn
20th July, Wednesday — Brighton
The Hope
23rd July, Saturday — Oxfordshire
Truck Festival
24th July, Sunday — Cornwall
Port Eliot festival at 7pm
26th July, Tuesday — London
XOYO
"The Best of the Nest" - listen here