FLOATING POINTS’‘REFLECTIONS - MOJAVE DESERT’FILM AND SOUNDTRACK - OUTJUNE 30 ON LUAKA BOP

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NORTH AMERICAN TOUR BEGINS APRIL 4 + INCLUDES COACHELLA, BROOKLYN STEEL + MORE

Floating Points’ forthcoming short film and soundtrack -‘Reflections - Mojave Desert’ (Luaka Bop/June 30) -finds Sam Shepherd and his band in a thrilling sonic exploration of environment under an endless desert sky. It is the first in a planned series of environmental recordings by Floating Points to be filmed and recorded at different locations around the world. ‘Reflections – Mojave Desert’was made last year, as Floating Points traveled to the Mojave to rehearse in between US touring. Immediatelystruck by the distinct sonic tapestry created by the rock formations and valleys, they set up a recording operation and filmed this new work at the base of the natural sculptures they encountered. The music of ‘Reflections’mirrors the landscape: soaring and vast, dynamic and intimate, centered around two longer works and shorter pieces that create an immersive and seamless 27-minute experience.

‘Reflections’ begins with chords played on a Rhodes Chroma and recorded with a surround sound microphone. Throughout the filming, microphones were placed throughout the landscape to capture the natural sonic textures of the desert: the undulating sound of wind, a bird call, the rustling of bushes and more created a backdrop on which much of the record rests. The music softly shifts from the Fender Rhodes introduction to“Silurian Blue,” an expansive improvised full band piece that balances refined restraint with explosiveness. In one scene, “Kites,” Floating Points aka Sam Shepherd walks through a valley with a super directional microphone, swinging it back and forth as a synthesizer loop gets faster to showcase the natural reverb and shifting phase of sound waves. “Kelso Dunes” signals the film’s final act: the sky grows dark, lasers flash, the band and rocks gleaming in the pitch black around them.

“Whilst we were out playing and exploring the area around us - the sound reflecting from the rocks, the sound of the wind between them, complete stillness at night and packs of roaming coyotes in the distance, It became apparent that we could use this as its own unique recording environment.” – Sam Shepherd, Floating Points

One of London’s most sought-after DJs and producers, Floating Points aka Sam Shepherd has toured with The xx, collaborated with Caribou, Four Tet, and has performed across the globe including festivals like Glastonbury, Primavera, FYF Festival, Pitchfork Festival Europe. Floating Points’ debut LP ‘Elaenia’ was deemed a Best New Music by Pitchfork, named Resident Advisor’s Album of the Year in 2015 and led Rolling Stone to call him “one of contemporary electronic music’s most forward-thinking talents.” Shepherd composed and recorded the album, which bridges the gap between rapturous dance music and formative classical and jazz roots, while working towards a PhD in neuroscience and epigenetics. He returned with the sweeping, extended 2-song ‘Kuiper’ EP in 2016. Sam also hosts the internationally renowned You’re A Melody DJ parties and co-runs the Melodies International reissues label.

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TRACK LIST:

1. Mojave Desert

2. Silurian Blue

3. Kites

4. Kelso Dunes

5. Lucerne Valley

TOUR DATES:

April 1 – Toluca, Mexico – Ceremonia Festival

April 4 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir

April 5 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile Café

April 6 – Boise, ID – Neurolux

April 8 – Iowa City, IA – Mission Creek Festival

April 9 – Chicago, IL – Metro

April 10 – Detroit, MI – El Club

April 11 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall

April 12 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount

April 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Steel

April 15 – Indio, CA – Coachella (live and DJ sets)

April 17 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s (w/Pond and Nicolas Jaar)

April 18 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst Atrium (w/Tortoise)

April 20 – San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine

April 21 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre

April 22 – Indio, CA – Coachella (live + DJ sets)

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