Name: Empires into Sand
Brand: Normil Hawaiians

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

UTR163

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: Yes

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Housed in Gatefold Sleeve with Inner Sleeve Lyric Sheet and Poster. Bonus Tracks on Download Card.

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2024-05-03

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

828887116313

Total Cap

Black LP

UTR163CD

Download code: No

With Three Bonus Tracks.

828887116320

Artist

Normil Hawaiians

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Upset The Rhythm

Upset The Rhythm is a live music promoter and record label based in London, UK. They are known for their dedication to showcasing innovative and boundary-pushing artists from various genres. With a focus on supporting independent musicians, Upset The Rhythm has built a reputation for curating exciting and diverse lineups at their live events. As a record label, they have released albums by some of the most influential and forward-thinking artists in the industry. Their commitment to promoting unique voices in music has made them an authoritative presence in the e-commerce world.

Originally formed in 1979 in Orpington, Greater London, England, UK, *Normil Hawaiians* is a band known for their ever-changing collective and unique sound. Led by guitarist/vocalist Guy Smith, the band has had two distinct periods with different members and contributors.

During their first period from 1979-1981, *Normil Hawaiians* featured a diverse lineup including Jim/James Lusted on guitar and vocals, Janet Armstrong on vocals, Kev/Kevin Armstrong on guitar, Colin Donaldson on bass, Chris Westerman on drums, Nick Rose on bass, Sue Leeves and Sarah Harley as backing vocalists. The Famous Delfonso played saxophone while Roger Smith contributed violin. Brian Kealy handled the drums while Stephen Berlin (Bertie) provided vocals.

In their second period from 1981-1986, the band underwent further changes with Simon Marchant joining as guitarist along with Cliff McLenehan on bass and Noel Blanden taking over the drums. Mark Tyler added his expertise with the string synth while Dave Anderson and Alun 'Wilf' Williams both played bass.

Newest Listed Items

Empires into Sand is the first album of new material from Normil Hawaiians in 40 years. The group first refined their sound during the early 80s, hitting on a pastoral experimentalism that drew on ambient drone, motorik impulse and post-punk pep.&nbsp;Empires into Sand&nbsp;came together in the familiar manner of their original three albums, with improvisation and nuance informing the blueprint of the tracks. It was with the official release of this last record Return of the Ranters (originally recorded in 1984/85, but then unconsciously shelved) in 2015 by Upset The Rhythm that led to the group reconnecting with the intention of playing music together again. Normil Hawaiians played a launch show for that ‘lost album’ and followed that up with more concerts, including an appearance at Supernormal, a residency at the Edinburgh Festival, gigs at Cafe OTO. They were even chosen by Richard Dawson to perform with him in London.&nbsp;

Throughout this time, Normil Hawaiians revisited their original songs for live performance. However for a group always so interested in evolving their sound, it came as no surprise that they shirked at the idea of a faithful retread. The band pushed their songs into new inventive dimensions, still progressive at core, but now imbued with a cosmic uncanny. A cinematic approach that was always quietly present has come to the fore. The quaint weirdness of folk song, the humanity of communal practice and the group’s ecological mindedness have all found a place in Normil Hawaiians’ current sound world.&nbsp;

Empires into Sand incorporates samples from old rehearsals and live music into the new finished pieces, this is in continuum with their previous records. Snippets of sound from the static of short wave radio and satellite transmissions also embellish the work. In fact the whole album is stitched together with interludes, creating an acutely immersive 45 minutes.

Empires into Sand

Music GB

Discover Empires into Sand by Normil Hawaiians on Upset The Rhythm. A boundary-bothering album with a cosmic uncanny sound. Available in vinyl format.