A compilation of instrumental tracks recorded between 2017 and 2022 which acts as an introduction to Nick Haeffner’s musical universe. Nick‘s first exposure was as a member of cult Indie band Clive Pig and the Hopeful Chinamen. Subsequently he joined The Tea Set, with whom he recorded two singles and an album before releasing a highly acclaimed solo album “The Great Indoors” in 1986 (Bam Caruso). The album was an eclectic mixture of Psychedelia, Folk Rock, New Wave and Classical music, favourably compared with Nick Drake and Syd Barrett.
Several of the tracks here have the epic sweep of film soundtracks while others are more intimate, acoustic guitar based pieces. There is a smorgasbord of instrumentation including Fuzz guitar, accordion, French horn, Chinese Erhu violin, Turkish oud, ukulele, orchestral strings, Ukranian and Norwegian violins, mandolin, Hammond organ, electric piano, sitar, harp, synthesiser and piano. Some of these are sampled, many are played live. The music is melodic, quirky, surprising and inventive. The album has guest appearances by Andy Golding (The Wolfhounds, Dragon Welding), Finn Kidd (Tim Burgess, Hatcham Social), Mike Adcock (Clive Bell, Chris Cundy, Imaginary Dance Trio), Sylvia Hallett (Evan Parker, David Toop, Clive Bell, Lol Coxhill) and Ian Montague (Julie Felix, Linda Moylan).
Stream the teaser for “A New Life Awaits You” through the YouTube player below:
Although “The Electromagnetic Imaginary” has echoes of Holgar Czukay’s Movies, the Incredible String Band and the US band Kaleidoscope in its blend of Psychedelia, Folk/World Music, Cinematic Soundscapes and sonic Experimentation, it is a thoroughly 21st century project making use of technologies only recently made available. The title is a reference to occult traditions that have treated electrical energy as a mysterious and magical force.
This album is released as a budget-priced CD and Digital via Bandcamp at as a prelude to the release of “Are You Sleeping?” later in the year on Dimple Discs, which reinterprets Harry Nilsson’s “The Point” and features many guest performers.
Purchase the album on Bandcamp:
Tracklist:
1. EFS 2021 02:02
2. Slouching Towards Walthamstow 04:33
3. Goodbye Mr. Pushkin 03:32
4. A New Life Awaits You 03:47
5. The Great Indoors 03:14
6. Ludwig At Clearwater 02:46
7. Everything Begins Again (Instrumental Mix) 03:49
8. Grand Hotel Abyss 02:16