Lord Huron
http://www.lordhuron.com/Unburdened by contractual obligations and working at their studio and informal clubhouse Whispering Pines in Los Angeles, Lord Huron found the freedom and comfort to pursue their vision without compromise. The result isâŻVide Noir:âŻa sonically bold, bravely-executed saga that pushes the bandâs sound in ambitious new directions.
Singer, songwriter and producer Ben Schneider found inspiration wandering restlessly through his adopted home of Los Angeles at night. His aimless nocturnal journeys ranged all over the city â across the twinkling grid of the valley; into the creeping shadows of the foothills; through downtownâs neon canyons; way out to the darksome ocean. The resulting collection of songs feels like an epic odyssey through the city, across dimensions and out into the cosmos.
Many ofâŻVide Noirâs songs were tested on the road as early as 2016 and honed with a jewelerâs precision into their final form. Dusty ballads share space on the album with punky rippers, â50s sock-hop sways and ethereal electronic passages. Each entry is a glinting star, and together they form a sonic constellation examining the search for meaning amidst the cold indifference of the universe.âŻ
Vide NoirâŻwas mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips/MGMT) and engineered by Sonny DiPerri (Portugal. The Man, Animal Collective). The album honors the traditions of both rock and folk as it embraces modern studio techniques. The stylistic experimentation speaks to Lord Huronâs confidence as storytellers and as craftsmen, armed with a growing array of tools.
Lord Huronâs work always comes richly adorned, andâŻVide NoirâŻis no exception. The album will be accompanied by a wealth of imagery, films and immersive experiences crafted to expand upon its narratives and themes. A true multi-media artist, Schneider has previously used videos, a comic book, a choose-your-own-adventure hotline and assorted Easter eggs as means of deepening the listener experience. Fans steely enough to confront the ineffable have already uncovered a few of these accoutrements.
Lord Huron was created by Los Angeles-based Ben Schneider. Born and raised in Michigan, Schneider drew inspiration from the Great Lakes, which were carved by glaciers 14,000 years ago, and his music stands in awe and wonder of the natural world.
After writing and recording two independent EPs (Into the SunâŻandâŻMighty) on his own, demand grew for Lord Huron to perform live. Schneider recruited friends Mark Barry (percussion), Miguel Briseño (bass) and Tom Renaud (guitar). Having first played music together at the tender age of 12, the group reunited and quickly hit their stride, transforming the project into a full-fledged band. Lord Huron signed with IAMSOUND, and the label released 2012âsâŻLonesome Dreams, andâŻStrange TrailsâŻin 2015.
Strange Trails included the song, âThe Night We Met,â which was featured in the Netflix original series â13 Reasons Why.â The series and song both became hits, and âThe Night We Metâ was certified platinum in January of 2018. This year also marks the beginning of a unique alliance between Whispering Pines and Republic Records, who will partner in the release ofâŻVide Noir.
Lord Huron has toured extensively in North America and Europe, earning rave reviews and performing for sold-out crowds at some of the worldâs most prestigious venues. The band has appeared at a wide range of music festivals including Lollapalooza, Coachella, Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival.