Leon Vynehall‘s debut album Nothing Is Still, is out today via Ninja Tune including “Envelopes (Chapter VI)” and “Movements (Chapter III)” as well their stunning accompanying videos (directed by Young Replicant) and novella chapters.
In addition, Vynehall has announced that he’ll be supporting Jon Hopkins as a special guest for a series of DJ dates in the US in September following his debut full band live shows in the UK in July at London’s Hackney Showrooms. He has also announced that hes been tapped to play NYC‘s esteemed MoMA PS1 series on August 4th alongside Toro y Moi, Nosaj Thing, Photay and more. Tickets for his MoMA date are available HERE.
Nothing Is Still is, at its core, an album dedicated to Vynehalls grandparents. Emigrating from a leafy south east U.K. to New York City in the 1960s, their seven-day journey via boat from Southampton to Brooklyn, and the stories that followed, have only truly come to light upon the passing of his grandfather four years ago.
What followed was a series of in depth conversations with his Grandmother to find out as much as he could about this part of his family history that was – in a way that easily resonates with us all – seemingly hidden in plain sight and a resulting album of immense scale, physicality and wonder as well as two accompanying elements – a novella and short films which expand the scope and context of the narrative.
Written and predominantly performed by Vynehall with additional musicians including a ten-piece string section arranged by Amy Langley, Finn Peters (saxophone and flute), and Sam Beste (piano) whom completed the final recording sessions that took place at Konk Studios – Nothing Is Still was mixed by Blue May in London before making its own transatlantic flight to New York, where it was mastered at Sterling Sound by Greg Calbi.
As well as being respected for the strength of his musical output, Vynehall has a global reputation as a DJ and curator. He has hosted and curated all-night-long residencies worldwide and has become a mainstay at many festivals including Glastonbury, Field Day and Sonar. Much as Nothing Is Still explores new territory sonically, Vynehall will be performing the album with a brand new live set-up with US dates TBA.
