H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Rises for Jazz   27 Mar 2015

EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY 26 MARCH 2015

MEDIA RELEASE: H. P. LOVECRAFT’S CTHULHU RISES FOR JAZZ

25 March 2015

Dark and mystical, the nightmarish stories of famed horror author H. P. Lovecraft have been brought to life through Tui Award-winning drummer/composer Reuben Bradley’s latest jazz album Cthulhu Rising, released on tour this June.

First recorded in New York in 2013 and premiered at the 2014 Wellington Jazz Festival, Bradley presents his haunting compositions to an Australasian audience for the first time, accompanied by two-time Grammy-nominated musician Taylor Eigsti (US) and first-class bassist Brett Hirst (NZ/Aus).

Inspired by the rhythm and tone of Lovecraft’s Cthulhu series, Cthuhlu Rising is distinguished by rich melodies and striking angles, with a mix of electronics and improvisations adding an other-worldliness to the live experience.

Showcasing a unique sound, Bradley’s Cthulhu Rising accesses musical techniques quite different to those demonstrated on his New Zealand Music Award (Tui) nominated album Mantis: The Music of Drew Menzies (2012). “To me Lovecraft’s ability to cascade a reader into unexpected places has distinct parallels in a more modern form of jazz,” he notes. “I really wanted to explore that with this album.”

Augmenting Bradley’s dark, edgy beat, Taylor Eigsti’s lyrical swagger spotlights a pianist/composer of well-established ability. Having worked with such musical luminaries as Dave Brubeck, Joshua Redman, Nicholas Payton and Esperanza Spalding, performed in venues as renowned as the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall, and penned a variety of orchestral and film compositions, Eigsti’s accomplishments are immense. Matched by the serious musicality of bass player Brett Hirst there is a confidence within the trio which allows for both consistency and experimentation.

Taking shape in a creative and collaborative fashion, and rehearsed on the road in 2013, Cthulhu Rising’s official album release was put on hold while Bradley welcomed his first

child. “I like to think of the album as being a little like Cthulhu himself,” he says, “lying in wait, ready to creep out and entangle the masses!”

The Cthulhu Rising album release tour is set to hit main centres of New Zealand and Sydney, Australia, from 7-13 June this year. More information about the album and tour can be found at reubenbradley.com/cthulhurising

ENDS

Cthulhu is pronounced “Kathooloo”. More information on www.reubenbradley.com

Tour details are:

• 7 June, 8pm - Old St Pauls Church, Mulgrave Street, Wellington

Tickets: $25 on the door, pre-sales available at eventfinda.co.nz

Album: $15 with entry fee, $20 for extra copies

• 9 June, 8pm - Orange Studios, Ferry Road, Christchurch

Tickets: $25 on the door, presales $20 [email protected], $15 concession

• 10 June, 8pm - Creative Jazz Club, 1885 Britomart, Auckland

Tickets: $25 on the door, $20 CJC members/students, $15 student members

• 11 June, 8pm - Sawmill Café, Pakiri Road, Leigh

Tickets: $25 on the door, $20 presales at the venue, $15 students, pre-sales available at eventfinda.co.nz

• 12 June, 8.30pm – SIMA, Seymour Centre, Sydney

Tickets: $28 non-members, $23 members, $15 students

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