On July 21st, Breathe Plastic (EU tape/pre-order) in collaboration with Sentient Ruin (US tape/vinyl/pre-order), Cold (EU vinyl) and Sprit House (CD/pre-order) will release the new album by Portland, OR-based visionary minimalistic abstract doom duo A Stick And A Stone.
Formed by composer, bassist, and vocalist Elliott Harvey and joined by viola player and “album co-conspirator” Myles Donovan (Disemballerina, Negative Queen, Ominous Cloud Ensemble) on this new trance-inducing and dream-evoking new opus A Stick And A Stone explore new doomy, tumultuous terrain while retaining the signature elements of ethereal harmonies, haunting vocals, and potent lyricism equated with Harvey’s previous work. The Long Lost Art of Getting Lost dives into the shadows of this age, upholding the power of resilience amidst times of uncertainty. Harvey, a transgender male with a distinctively androgynous vocal range, is no stranger to carving his way through uncharted territory as a musician. A Stick and a Stone‘s unusual style arises from blending paradoxical essences; on this album, gritty bass merges with elegant strings, rugged howls are echoed by graceful whispers, heavy drums are laced with ghostly soundscapes – to materialize in the end an unquestionable modern minimalistic doom masterpiece of our times. Today we’re proud and honored to bring you the exclusive first glimpse into this sonic shadow world Harvey and Donovan have conceived, though the haunting progressions of the heart-melting track “Arrow.” Keep en eye out for tapes dropping through Breathe Plastic and Sentient Ruin and CDs through Spirit House on July 21. Sentient Ruin and Cold will also release a vinyl LP in a couple months, so keep an eye out for that as well.
Mastered by Amber Asylum’s Kris Force and with deep and touching lyrical content channeling themes of alienation, nature worship, mental illness, and disembodiment, and influences ranging from Earth, Dead Can Dance, Amber Asylum, Jarboe and Electric Wizard, to Bloody Panda and Noxagt, A Stick and a Stone brings together sludge-doom, post-rock, minimal folk, and avantgarde to conjure atmospheres of unparalleled beauty, darkness, and intensity!
