Taken from the forthcoming PostMap Club postcard release: ‘Desert’ b/w ‘If I Had A Sword’, released 27th September 2019 via Lost Map Records.
Continuing a run of stand-alone singles, Lost Map Records are delighted to announce more new music from English singer-songwriter Victoria Hume. ‘Desert’ and ‘If I Had A Sword’ will be released as part of Lost Map’s PostMap Club subscription service and via all major streaming platforms on September 27. Following the release of the ethereal ‘Suspension’ in April 2019, this postcard continues a cluster of music to be drip fed by Victoria – her first new material since the stunning Closing EP was released on Lost Map back in early 2016, drawing strong praise from among others BBC 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne and Marc Riley – the latter of whom welcomed Victoria on to his show for a memorable live session.
The intimate, hypnotic piano figure that opens ‘Desert’ draws the listener in, Victoria’s vocal melodically weaving around it, before the billow of a propulsive drum rhythm from new collaborator Alex Thomas (Squarepusher, Air, Anna Calvi) and warm brass and synth arrangements from long-time collaborator and partner, Chris Letcher. It’s a powerful combination, and one that continues with the politically-infused ‘If I Had A Sword’ – marking Victoria’s most confident work to date.
Having spent a number of years working in Johannesburg, Victoria Hume has recently moved back to the UK, and will be performing some rare live shows in the coming weeks, including a double bill with Balladeste at The Harrison in London’s Kings Cross on September 18th, and a support with David Allread (Erased Tapes) in Bristol’s Colston Hall on October 4th.
Outside of music, Victoria works as an arts manager in health and medicine, and her musical and professional lives often come together with remarkable results. Her self-released debut album Limbs & Digits was released in 2009, with its follow-up Landing in 2012. The latter was championed by Lauren Laverne as “really beautiful stuff”. Victoria’s 2016 EP Closing found instant favour with Lost Map after it was passed to label founder and director Johnny Lynch via a mutual friend and collaborator, acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer Adem. Adem (Ilhan) had worked with Victoria on her 2013 project Delirium, a cycle of songs themed around the complex hallucinations patients have been known to experience during hospital-based intensive care.
music won't save you 