Steve Hackett Announces New Concept Album ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’
Legendary rock guitarist Steve Hackett, renowned for his innovative playing style and significant contributions to the music world, is gearing up for the release of his 30th solo album, ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale.’ Scheduled for release on 16th February 2024 through InsideOut Music, this concept album promises to be a deeply personal journey, with Steve expressing, “I love this album. It says the things I’ve been wanting to say for a very long time.”
At the heart of ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ is a character named Travla, whose story mirrors a rite of passage and reflects autobiographical elements from Steve’s own life. The album’s 13 tracks are set to take listeners on a vivid journey through various stages and experiences.
The first single, ‘People of the Smoke,’ which also opens the album, has been released alongside a captivating video. Steve describes the track as a throwback to 1950s post-war London, a city shrouded in smog from various sources, including the very environment he was born into. He notes, “This song kicks off an album following my life’s journey both literally and metaphorically…”
Physical Formats
Fans can look forward to a rich auditory experience, as the album will be available in multiple formats. These include a Limited CD+Blu-ray mediabook featuring 5.1 Surround Sound and 24bit high-resolution stereo mixes, a Standard CD Jewelcase, a Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP, and a Digital Album.
All formats showcase the stunning cover painting by Denise Marsh. Pre-orders are now open and can be placed here: Steve Hackett Pre-Order Link.
In Store Events
To celebrate the album’s release, Steve Hackett will be hosting two special HMV instore events in London and Birmingham. These events will include a Q&A session and an opportunity for fans to get their albums signed. More details on these events can be found here: HMV Instore Event Details.
‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ marks Steve’s first new music in over two years. The album was recorded between tours in 2022 and 2023 at Siren studio in the UK, with guest contributions from various parts of the world including Sweden, Austria, the US, Azerbaijan, and Denmark.
The album features a lineup of familiar faces and new collaborators. Alongside Steve’s mastery on electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, bass, and vocals, the album includes Roger King (keyboards, programming, orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums), and Amanda Lehmann (vocals).
Guest appearances include Nick D’Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt on drums, Benedict Fenner on keyboards, and Malik Mansurov with the tar. Steve’s brother, John Hackett, also graces the album with his flute playing.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
