UK multi-artist Penelope Trappes has shared the latest single “A Seagull Learns To Sleep Alone,” off her forthcoming album, Heavenly Spheres, which arrives on April 14th via Trappes’ new imprint, Nite Hive. “A Seagull Learns To Sleep Alone”, was recorded during a two-week residency for Britten Pears Arts at the house where the composer, teacher and musicologist Imogen Holst lived in Aldeburgh

Trappes explains, “The title refers to a line taken from ‘Japanese Poetry: The Uta (1919)’ from Imogen’s library, which I resonated with. I was truly alone for the first time in 18 years – since the birth of my daughter – during the two weeks creating Heavenly Spheres. Learning to be fully present and solitary was initially quite difficult until I embraced the silence thoroughly immersing myself in the creative research and process.”

Heavenly Spheres is the result of the artist experimenting with only her voice, an upright piano and an old German reel to reel tape deck. Trappes explains, “I immersed myself in solitude and often deafening silence, and coexisted with an enormous amount of history and books. I grew to love this unfamiliar space as I recorded sound outside of my normal way of working, took long and sometimes psychedelic walks, channelled ghosts on tape, and ended up with about 35 pieces of music and sound art. This album is 8 of those pieces which I fell in love with.”

Nite Hive Records is Penelope Trappes’ new imprint, designed as a label run by – and for – women and gender nonconforming artists to allow the free exploration of their approach to experimental music. Nite Hive aims to expand the template by welcoming audio work from the edges of sound, art and beyond – creating without restriction nor question to shift paradigms within the music industry. All of these will be released digitally and on limited-edition cassette tape – accompanied by a podcast interview with each artist about their creative process.

She goes on to announce, “I’m thrilled that the first five releases will be by artists whose work I deeply admire – Patricia Wolf, Pefkin, Karen Vogt, and Madeliene Cocolas.”

Penelope Trappes
Heavenly Spheres
tracklisting
cat # Nite Hive 001

1. The Bitterness of Parting
2. Away From Tidal Waves
3. Voices that Will Not Be Drowned
4. Heavenly Sphere
5. A Seagull Learns To Sleep Alone
6. Entangled
7. The Lapse of Months and Days
8. Pearl

Penelope Trappes 2023 Tour Dates

4 March – London, IKLEKTIC
8 March – Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall with William Basinski
10 March – Brighton, Attenborough Arts Centre with William Basinski
8 August – Berlin, Kiezsalon, MaHalla

pre-order Heavenly Spheres by Penelope Trappes HERE