MURIEL Reveal Video For Reflective New Single ‘Body of Light’ Out Now Venn Records
“A fresh voice from the ever-productive Cardiff scene and one well worth keeping an ear out for” - For The Rabbits
“Understated complexity...there’s a meditative pleasure in unearthing its many layers” - Noizze
MURIEL Reveal Video For Reflective New Single ‘Body of Light’ Released 15th June 2023
Watch the video - https://youtu.be/YEl2NEww0_w
Stream and share - https://orcd.co/bodyoflight
Cardiff Lo-Fi Newcomers’ Debut Album Coming 2023 via Venn Records
SWN Fest Appearance + Further Lives Dates TBA
Cardiff lo-fi group Muriel (led by songwriter Zak Thomas) are pleased to reveal the official video for their new single ‘Body of Light’ which is released on 15th June 2023 via Venn Records (Gallows, Witch Fever, Bob Vylan).
The track is the second to be taken from their yet-to-be-revealed debut album, which is scheduled for release later this year, and follows on from lead single ‘Seaside Painter’ which was released in April to early support from For The Rabbits, Noizze and more.
Commenting on the track, front man Zak Thomas says: "Not long after my father passed away, I went to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. I found it hauntingly beautiful and people were crying in the aisles. It stirred something in me that made me reflect deeply and it was a very sobering feeling. I've come to the age where you expect to have things figured out and I have moments where I feel I have, until something shakes my foundation all over again."
The single comes with an official video directed by Ren Faulks, who also directed the video for debut single ‘Seaside Painter’. “When thinking of the concept for this video I was watching a David Lynch film which inspired the use symbolism like the candles and brushes, as well as the surreal eerie atmosphere located at the Howardian nature reserve in Cardiff,” says Thomas of the process.
“I was trying to create a visual representation of wandering, resting, and sweeping in a meditative state to align with the themes of the song, but for the most part we just improvised and Ren put it all together to make this video that we’re really proud of.”
On Muriel’s forthcoming debut album, Thomas explores themes including the stages of grief and his own spirituality. Written at home in his bedroom and recorded in his beautiful boutique tattoo shop, Still Hands, in Cardiff, the creative process behind the music mirrors the experimental drive that led the project. Featuring production contributions from Tom Bromley (LosCampesinos!), the record was also mastered by Kliph Schurlock (ex drummer of The Flaming Lips), both fellow Cardiff residents.
With their first live dates only just under their belts, the full live band have already been booked to play Welsh tastemaker festival Swn Fest later this year.
Muriel will be revealing further details and releasing new music over the coming months, with further live shows TBA.
Live Dates:
21.10.23 - Swn Fest
Muriel online:
https://twitter.com/Muriel_Band
https://www.instagram.com/murielband/
https://murielcardiff.bandcamp.com
More info:
Muriel began life as the recording project of songwriter and tattoo artist Zak Thomas, based in Cardiff, Wales. Their music incorporates classical-guitar-driven arrangements, layered vocals, and introspective lyricism inspired by lo-fi indie rock and folk artists like Sparklehorse, Carissa’s Weird and The Microphones.
Over time Thomas has been joined by a cast of friends and musicians including Rachel Crabbe, Andy Oliveri, Will Davies, and Jamie Joiner who have helped him realise his bedroom recordings as fully-formed songs and finally begin to perform them live, where they take on a life of their own
