WINGS OF DESIRE release new EP Shut Up & Listen
STREAM HERE
Share cinematic video for ‘Shut Up & Listen’ single
WATCH HERE
Play Bush Hall (London) and Deaf Institute(Manchester) shows in October
Wings Of Desire – Shut Up & Listen EP
Stream: https://slinky.to/ShutUpListen | Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2Xx386gS0
“A bit like if Bruce Springsteen had a mid-’80s Jesus And Mary Chain phase” Stereogum
“Now Hear This” The Independent | “Wings Of Desire craft dazed pop jewels” CLASH
“Uplifting” DIY | “freefalling, expansive indie” DORK
August 30 – Hazy, anthemic rock duo Wings of Desire – AKA James Taylor and Chloe Little – release new EP Shut Up & Listen. The EP comes with an exclusive cassette – all the proceeds of which will go towards community project The Long Table in their native Stroud, which is under threat of eviction. Following the release, they’ll play shows at London’s Bush Hall and Manchester’s Deaf Institute in October.
The release is accompanied by a cinematic video for the title track, ‘Shut Up & Listen’. It is a black & white western-inspired film directed by award-winning filmmaker Amber Little. Amber’s short documentary ALL THE KING’S MEN premiered at Sheffield Doc/Fest and went on to win the award for Best 19-25 Short Film at the BFI Future Film Festival 2020. Since then Amber’s work has spanned documentary and music videos, working with major labels and with a particular focus on working in collaboration with female artists.
The band speak on the single:
“As the automated masses and algorithmic influencers point us towards a dystopian digital future. There is another stream of consciousness that undermines these intentions and brings forth the will of the higher echelons. Mother earth’s engine is up and running, earthquakes and solar flares are her defence mechanism. Will we take the hint and move in a new direction? Or fall back into nihilistic hedonism.
Come live with us in the real world. Life is a cleansing fire but if you carry me, I’ll carry you.”
The Long Table project which Wings Of Desire are supporting offers pay what you can meals to customers – and prioritise sustainability by rescuing food waste, sourcing local produce, and paying a living wage. Outlined in this The Guardian article:
James and Chloe talk on the EP and its mission with regards to The Long Table:
“The Long Table is the beating heart of our local community in Stroud, they run a radical social project with a pay what you can system that serves around 40,000 hot meals a year. It’s about dignity, equality, and everyone helping their neighbours in need. Earlier this year their home Brimscombe Mill was sold from beneath them and it is now at risk of being turned into warehouse space for the new owner.
The Shut Up & Listen EP grew out of our need to preserve this sacred space and support our unique local community, which is the closest thing we have to a new earth. We have put together a limited edition cassette tape and all proceeds will go to The Long Table to help them fight their impending eviction.”
Wings of Desire played a free show at The Long Table on July 5th – and raised £400 for the project so far (with merch sales from the event ongoing). The new labour MP for Stroud Dr Simon Opher came to celebrate his victory along with the rest of the community, Tom Smith from Editors did an acoustic set, and Tom Ravenscroft rounded off the evening with a DJ set.
Of the night, James says: “The long table gig was a reminder to be present for other people and to do things in the real here and now. It’s so easy to get lost in our own worlds.
Places that hold space for the community are rare these days. It’s important that we don’t forget. Don’t let them get buried under the guise of convenience. Music and culture have to grow from the root upwards. You can’t skip the stages of development. And development isn’t an inconvenience. It’s merely part of the pilgrimage. If we take away that, we will be handed the easy / automated / AI version of what was once called the hero’s journey.”
ABOUT WINGS OF DESIRE
Wings Of Desire last year released their debut long-form anthology Life Is Infinite, a collection oftracks which saw love from UK (The Independent, DORK, DIY, CLASH, The Line Of Best Fit) and US (Stereogum, PASTE, Brooklyn Vegan, Under The Radar) press alike.
Around the release they were selected for tours supporting Editors, Nation of Language, Bleach Lab, as well as playing iconic London venue The Roundhouse with The Cribs. Radio support has come from Steve Lamacq and Lauren Laverne on BBC 6 Music, NME Radio, and John Kennedy on Radio X.
Wings of Desire Online
Instagram / Twitter / Website / Spotify / Facebook
The Long Table Online
@TheLongTableStroud / https://www.thelongtableonline.com
Live Dates
20th September 2024 – Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg
28th September – Gathering Sounds Festival, Stockton UK
1st October – Bush Hall, London
2nd October – Deaf Institute, Manchester
25th October – Rotown, Rotterdam NL
26th October – London Calling Festival, Amsterdam NL
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