(This review first appeared in issue #62 of Shindig! magazine.)
Death
Waltz CD / LP
In the wrong hands a
spoof spaghetti western soundtrack could be an ill-advised dish. Not
a problem here, Federale's third LP is cooked to al dente perfection.
Its musical cues are taken straight from the master, Ennio Morricone:
haunting whistled melodies, twangy guitars, high strings and mariachi
brass all present and correct. Though they're not the only band to
attempt this sound, with the likes of Spindrift ploughing a similar
furrow, what really sets them apart is the vocal narrative: sinister
tales of vengeance and violence delivered in a pleasingly deep
baritone. Think Nick Cave and Scott Walker singing a song-cycle set
on the Andalusian plains.
For an album that
wears its influences so proudly on its sleeve, (literally with
artwork that pays homage to Scott 3), it's a true gem, packed
with all the darkness and drama you can handle. Widescreen, cinematic
Americana doesn't get much better than this.
SPINDRIFT are back in Europe to present their movie "Ghost Of The West" and play live.
The film was shot during the "Ghost Town Tour" of 2012 over a span of 4 weeks where they performed in nothing but Ghost Towns, National Parks, vast deserts, Historical Places, and generally strange and forgotten locales to nobody but the film crew (Directed by Burke Roberts with Cinematographers J.T. Gurzi and Rich Ragsdale). The Soundtrack was released via Tee Pee Records in Oct. 2013 (BEFORE the films release in usual Spindrift style a la "The Legend of God's Gun").
Here is what the band has to say about the upcoming events -
"We have a NEW FILM coming out that was inspired by our love of The West and touring Ghost Towns: SPINDRIFT: GHOST OF THE WEST! The SOUNDTRACK is already available on Tee Pee Records. Screenings everywhere this 2014 along with many a various live show where we perform the Soundtrack so ya'll can pick up the LP Soundtrack while your at it! This is for the fans. We will not make the film available anywhere else. Only for those who make it to the shows or screenings first come first served!"
Upcoming dates -
02.09.14 Copenhagen (den) Loppen with Film screening 03.09.14 Stockholm (swe) Stampen 04.09.14 Oslo (nor) Oslo Psych Fest 05.09.14 Aalborg (den) 1000 Fryd 06.09.14 Offenbach (ger) Sky High Festival 07.09.14 Freiburg (ger) Slow Club 08.09.14 Chambery (fra) Le Brinc Du Zinc 09.09.14 Clermont Ferrand (fra) Raymond Bar 10.09.14 Barcelona (spa) Teatro El Latino de Barcelona 12.09.14 Santiago De Campostela (spa) Wos Inc Festival 13.09.14 Lisbon (por) Reverence Valada Festival 14.09.14 Cascais (por) Club Stairway 15.09.14 Vila Real (por) Club De Vila Real 16.09.14 San Sebastian (spa) Le Bukowski 17.09.14 Tolouse (fra) Dynamo 18.09.14 Paris (fra) Le Batofar 19.09.14 Angers (fra) Leviation Festival 20.09.14 Tillburg (hol) Incubate Festival 21.09.14 Haarlem (hol) Patronaat 22.09.14 Vevey (swi) Studio 603 23.09.14 Marseille (fra) La Machine à Coudre 25.09.14 London (uk) The Shacklewell Arms 26.09.14 Liverpool (uk) Liverpool Psych Fest 27.09.14 Edinburgh (uk) Bongo Club with Film Screening 28.09.14 Glasgow (uk) Audio Club 01.10.14 Lille (fra) El Diablo 02.10.14 Geleen (hol) Volt 03.10.14 Berlin (ger) Bang Bang Club with Film Screening 04.10.14 Aarhus (den) Aarhus Psych Fest 11.10.14 a very special screening and live performance of SPINDRIFT: GHOST OF THE WEST will be held and presented by KIRPATRICK THOMAS at AWFF2014 (ALMERIAN WESTERN FILM FESTIVAL) held in Tabernas, Almeria SPAIN in the Mini-Hollywood Theater!
