Cold Specks

Shortlisted for Polaris Prize

Cold Specks’ debut album I Predict A Graceful Expulsion has been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, Canada’s equivalent to the Mercury Prize. As a result, forthcoming single ‘Hector’ has moved back to 15October to accommodate Canadian and other North American commitments. The winner of the Polaris Music Prize, which features nominees such as Grimes, Feist and Drake, will be announced on 24 September.

As previously announced, Cold Specks embark on a headline tour of the UK in October, commencing with a show at London’s Union Chapel.

The band, who recently sold out three nights at Hoxton Hall, have unveiled a live performance of the single ‘Hector’: http://youtu.be/ropZ1apYo6U

LIVE DATES
Sun 2 Sept – North Dorset, End Of The Road Festival
Wed 10 Oct – London, Union Chapel
Fri 12Oct – Norwich, NAC
Sat 13 Oct – Liverpool, Kazimier
Sun 14 Oct – Manchester, Deaf Institute
Tues 16 Oct – Belfast, Black Box
Wed 17 Oct – Dublin, Sugar Club

Cold Specks is songwriter and vocalist Al Spx from Etobicoke, Canada, who now lives in London. The band’s name is taken from a line in James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’:

“Born all in the dark wormy earth, cold specks of fire, evil, lights shining in the darkness”.

Describing her sound as ‘Doom Soul’, Cold Specks’ music is steeped in the musical traditions of the Deep South. No wonder then that Al cites the Lomax Field Recordings and James Carr as influences along with Bill Callahan and Tom Waits. With a voice that evokes the ‘spirit feel’ of Mahalia Jackson and the visceral tones of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Cold Specks’ sparse arrangements and chain-gang rhythms stop you dead in your tracks.