Ummagma ‘Frequency’ gets U.S. release via Moon Sounds Records

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCu21gaOHt8

Canada-based duo Ummagma have confirmed details for the U.S. release of their “Frequency” EP. This mini-album will be available through Moon Sounds Records and is slated for release on Dec. 4. Alongside five original tracks, the EP features remixes from Cocteau Twins legend Robin Guthrie, Wales’s celebrated Lights That Change, and Malcolm Holmes of Orchestral Maneouvres in the Dark (OMD).

Now based in Peterborough, Ontario, Ummagma consists of Shauna McLarnon, who hails from Canada’s Yukon, and Alexander Kretov, who was originally from Ukraine before moving to Canada. Their potent combination of uplifting and melancholic-textured dreampop, shoegaze, postpunk, ambient, and electronica rapidly gained them a sizable international following despite the numerous issues they faced living between Canada and Ukraine.

“Frequency” follows the band’s two debut LPs, “Antigravity” and “Ummagma,” which were simultaneously released in 2012. This release represents a slight departure from the first two albums, which whisked the listener through the romanticism of first meetings, big love, adventures abroad, and optimistic dreaming through to the realities of birth, loss, death, and departure. In contrast, “Frequency” explores such themes as space and distance, timelessness, escapism, and the search for tranquility.

Ummagma have blazed quite a trail for themselves in their short history. They’ve landed press coverage and radio play in more than 50 countries, including Rolling Stone Russia, and have managed to strike an endearing chord with a good number of “first wave” shoegaze and dreampop artists, particularly from Creation Records and early 4AD rosters.

“Ummagma have something very special about them that you don’t find in many bands, that is an honest, believable and beautiful lyric delivered by an honest, believable and beautiful voice,” says Malcolm Holmes of OMD. “When you combine this with the swirling ambience of lush layered guitars, this duo end up with their own unique sonic landscape.”

“I love the sound, the emotion, the clean cool space. If Underworld or Chemical Bros did Lama, it would be proclaimed an instant classic,” says Rudy Tambala of seminal 4AD band A.R. Kane.

“Ummagma’s music is very powerful and very dreamy,” says Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver, Brian Jonestown Massacre).

Joe Foster of Creation Records says, “This is really very cosmic music. Made of stardust.” Ray Dickaty (Spiritualized) calls it “a nice slice of electronic pop with a psych folk twist.”

While Ummagma may have been influenced by the likes of Cocteau Twins, David Sylvian, Peter Gabriel, The Sundays, Pink Floyd, and Slowdive, they don’t immediately wear their influences on their sleeve. They have their own beautiful and unmistakable sound and lead you on sonic trips and awesome detours. Ultimately they tell a story in an aesthetic that is wonderfully unique, invigorating, and absolutely loaded with hope.

“Everything about this music has gotten us two through some very rough times, giving us moments of peace and joy, however fleeting they may be. A kind of grounding while still maintaining an ethereal space of dreams, possibilities and exploration,” explains Ummagma vocalist Shauna McLarnon. “We also hope listeners will be able to take something uplifting from this.”

By releasing through Moon Sounds Records, Ummagma joins a roster of some of the most dynamic modern shoegaze and dreampop bands, including Dead Leaf Echo, Ceremony, The Foreign Resort, The Vandelles, Static Daydream, A*Star, Porcupine, Follow The Sea, and their newest addition from Australia, Bloodhounds On My Trail.

Tracklist

1. Orion
2. Lama
3. Winter Tale
4. Galacticon
5. Ocean Girl
6. Lama (Robin Guthrie Remix)
7. Lama (Malcolm Holmes’ OMD Remix)
8. Lama (Lights that Change Remix)