As close to perfection as I?ve heard in a long time? - DJ Shadow
First Word Excursions is the new sister label to First Word Records, the Leeds based record label that is home to Kidkanevil, The Haggis Horns and much more from the funky side of New Yorkshire. Long time fans of Stateless, the label heard these tracks and knew they were the perfect sound to launch the new label, aimed at releasing some of the more eclectic music that the extended First Word family is producing. With regular vocalist Chris James taking a back seat, Gavin Castleton takes over to deliver a half-rap, half-sung vocal style that perfectly compliments both sides of this 7?. The furious, relentless drive of Window 23 is paired with the haunting lullaby of Great White Whale, showing the true spectrum of talent that the band seem to effortlessly radiate.
About Stateless
Stateless are one of the UK?s most exciting bands, currently on course to explode all over the music world. The band fuses a conventional band set-up of vocals (Chris James), bass (Justin Percival) and drums (David Levin) with the electronic mesh of turntables (Kidkanevil) and live programming (Rod). Stateless released their self-titled debut album with !K7 last year to massive critical acclaim and are currently busy recording for album No.2 which is set to be bigger, badder and bolder than ever before. In 2007 the band worked with producer Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian) to record their self titled debut, who passed on some tracks to the mighty DJ Shadow. Immediately a fan, Shadow enlisted Chris to co write and sing on two songs on his new album The Outsider.
About Gavin Castleton
Gavin Castleton began classical piano lessons at 3 years old. He gave his first recital at 5. He wrote his first song when he was 7. Flash forward to 2007, and Gavin has released 14 albums across his various projects as well as touring the US multiple times as a solo artist and collaborator. He has established a reputation as a fearless and prolific producer/writer with interests in all styles of songwriting. His colorful catalog spans many genres: from hip-hop to avant guard to hymnals to prog rock. There?s even a children?s album on the way. Gavin?s talent is a force to be reckoned with, if this is just an introduction to his style then go make yourself familiar and become a life long fan.