Surface Sound Sea Fever

Emboldened by collective resilience, the band announces new album, Surface Sound to follow their 2021 debut, Folding Lines, this May

Since 2020, Sea Fever has gathered the innate, restless artistry, studio craft and stage experience of New Order members, Tom Chapman and Phil Cunningham, together with Iwan Gronow, a former member of cherished 00’s emotive indie band, Haven as well as playing bass with Johnny Marr for over ten years. The band is made complete by Section 25’s Beth Cassidy and drummer, Elliot Barlow, formerly of Brix and The Extricated. 

Both resulting from and regardless of previous projects and the highs and lows of global touring, Sea Fever’s identity is increasingly forged by such connection, collective growth and generosity found amongst the ever more cohesive collective. If their debut was an opening chapter, Surface Sound is a complete, rewarding and open book all of its own. 

Chapmans expands on the album’s special place in the band’s hearts, saying: “It’s an album full of hope and melancholy. It was written through a difficult period of my life, dealing with a breakup and the loss of my father. I immersed myself in my work on a daily basis and used music as my solace and therapy to deal with the various waves of emotions.
 
“The result is a beautiful album, with Iwan and Beth confirming their roles as vocalists and lyricists with heartfelt melodies and poignant words, raising the bar again with their singing abilities. Phil stepped up again as the quintessential indie guitarist and Elliot Barlow is the engine room and heartbeat of the band. I am very proud of this record. It’s Sea Fever at our best.”

THE BONUS 7” :
Extending that family of fierce reputation, special vinyl editions of Surface Sound will be packaged with a bonus 7” featuring Sea Fever’s collaboration with the late, much-missed singer, Denise Johnson. The singer, renowned for her incalculably influential contributions to iconic albums by bands such as Electronic, Primal Scream and A Certain Ratio, adds her voice to Explanation. 
 
Chapman says of the track: “I started working with Denise on this track at the end of 2019, then, very sadly, Denise passed away in 2020 and the song was never finished. With some distance from that difficult time, I finally revisited the recordings, instantly remembering her infectious laugh, her soul and spirit. Above all, I thought that people should hear her voice again. Sea Fever got together to finish it and it stands as an homage to our friend, Denise.”