Recitals Unveil Single / Video 'Gradient'

There's no such thing as too many chefs when it comes to Te Whanganui-a-Tara's seven member Recitals, who have today unveiled the final single and video from their forthcoming Flying Nun Records debut album Orbit I. Presently ruling student radio airwaves with 'Arrow', Recitals' spellbinding new track ‘Gradient' has received a resplendent visual treatment directed by Matilda Boese-Wong and made with support from NZ On Air. Conceived and art directed by songwriter Xanthe Rook (who also produced the clip) and Boese-Wong, the video for 'Gradient' depicts a pair of carnivalesque puppet partners taking in the beauty of Aotearoa's natural landscape, before opening up a magic jewel-encrusted Pandora's box to eye-zapping (and perhaps nightmarish) effect.

You can catch the Recitals team of Sam Curtiss, Olivia Wilding, Carla Camilleri, Josh Finegan, Christian Dimick, Tharushi Bowatte and Rook celebrating the launch of Orbit I at their hometown's Meow and Tāmaki Makaurau's Wine Cellar in late August, joined by special guests Linen, Ludus, She's So Rad and Green Grove. Read Rook's reflections on the portentous skywatching origins of ‘Gradient' and experience the video below — content warning: strobing imagery...

“I remember going out to stand on the roof of my building in January 2020 to see the moon a violent red, painted that way by the Australian bushfires of the season. I remember thinking that it felt like an undeniably bad omen, the idea that we could/and were, changing the colours of our planet. It seems obvious now, as everything in the world seemed to combust, and spin completely out of control, to a point of uncontrollable dimension after that moon. I didn’t own any guitars at the time so I had to keep stealing one out of my flatmate’s room while he was away for the summer. I wrote the verses for the song and then worked with Christian and Josh to write those cacophonous 7/8 sections and that breakdown section at the end. The song kind of feels premonitory now, or like a prelude to all of this.” - Xanthe Rook.

Recitals Orbit I Album Release Shows

Thursday 25th August - Meow, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington w/ Linen, Ludus
Friday 26th August - The Wine Cellar, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland w/ She's So Rad, Green Grove*

*Tickets available HERE via UTR
Wellington tickets via Moshtix

Acknowledging health concerns in our community about the ongoing pandemic, Recitals have made the following request for attendees...

"IMPORTANT: We would also like all members of our community to feel welcome and comfortable during the ongoing pandemic and we want to create a safe and enjoyable gig space for all. We kindly ask everybody attending to please wear a mask at all times, and we encourage masks to be removed only while drinking outside, if possible. Masks will be available to purchase at the door, and hand sanitiser will always be available. If you have recently come out of isolation, we strongly encourage you to return a negative RAT test before attending. If you are showing any viral symptoms, we kindly ask that you please stay at home. If you have purchased a ticket, please get in touch - your ticket will be refunded if you can no longer attend. Thank you <3"

'Orbit I' releases on 26th August via Flying Nun Records — available on standard black LP, clear LP and across all digital and streaming platforms, vinyl preorders available HERE.