Geography is all too often the enemy, but to Kelly Sherrod and James Duncan, being as far apart in the world as two people can be hasn't stopped them from staying both fast friends, and - perhaps more impressively - bandmates.
Having relocated from Auckland to Nashville a few years back, Kelly was naturally unable to carry on "slapping de bass" with Dimmer. However, by the power of Skype, and a whole lot of back'n'forthing with James (fellow Dimmer member and SJD collaborator) in his self-built Newton Road studio, the world wide web has enabled an unexpected (and long overdue) debut Punches album to see the light of day!
As with the duo's 2006 EP release, Etheria (a word coined by Dimmer bandmate and album contributor Mr Shayne Carter) is being released on Arch Hill Records, and was recorded between 2007 and 2011 using an array of home studio equipment, fancy professional contraptions, and alot of love and hope.
One of the sadder aspects of Kelly's moving to Nashville that the internet couldn't soothe in James was. loneliness. To cheer him up, Kelly arranged a special four-year surprise party where all of their talented friends would come along and record little bits of drums, singing, guitar, bass, pots'n'pans, and even flugelhorn were all sprinkled throughout by good folks like Julien Dyne, Matthew Sherrod, Gary Sullivan, Constantine Karlis, Elizabeth Stokes, Shayne Carter, Adam Ladley, and Chelsea Jade. Pretty neat.
As a return surprise to Kelly, James decided that - after an intense charades session one night - to record The Cold Nights Chorus Singers (aka Annabel "Bachelorette" Alpers, Finn "The Veils" Andrews, Shayne "Dimmer, Etc" Carter, Sean 'SJD" Donnelly, Chelsea "Teacups" Jade, Adam "Family Cactus" Ladley, Paul "Gramsci" McLaney, Sandy Mill, Max Scott, Christopher Vovan, Matthew Crawley, and Simon Comber) all together in the basement of his mansion to do some backing vocals. Shit got real.
Despite seemingly being the work of just two humble people, the noise about to emanate from your speakers is both warm and delicious, with a fullness that will pleasantly surprise even long-time Punches fanatics.
Welcome back, you two. And enjoy Etheria, everyone xo
