MURIEL Sign To Venn Records For Debut Album Coming 2023
Cardiff Lo-Fi Newcomers MURIEL Sign To Venn Records
Debut Album Coming 2023
Reveal Video For Debut Single ‘Seaside Painter’ Released 26th April 2023
Watch the video - https://youtu.be/pFoWOpT1Rsw
Stream and share here - https://orcd.co/seasidepainter
Select Live Dates + SWN Fest Appearance
Venn Records (Gallows, Witch Fever, Bob Vylan) are pleased to announce they have signed Cardiff lo-fi songwriter Muriel (led by songwriter Zak Thomas), whose debut album will be released later this year.
To celebrate the news, debut single ‘Seaside Painter’ will be released on 26th April 2023 with an official VHS music video filmed at Penarth Pier by photographer and documentary filmmaker Ren Faulks and featuring the artist Molley-May, who created all of the band’s artwork.
Commenting on the debut single, Thomas says: “‘Seaside Painter’ is a celebration song. It was one of the last songs written for the record around the time I realised this project was actually going to be shared. I get a lot of anxiety about sharing vulnerable things, but I don’t want to share anything that’s not honest or vulnerable, so this is kind of about winning the battle of grappling with that duality of going all in or not at all.”
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 as lush, emotive soundscapes packed with pathos.
On his 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 date only just under their belts, the full live band will be supporting The Brackish at Le Pub in Newport this May, and 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.
