About the record
'A New Song' continues the concept that is at the heart of Vampire Suit's music - to forge musical materials from around the world into a new, unique whole - a new tradition for a generation that draws upon so many traditions - and to create music that taps into our collective unconscious, while being unmistakably new. The texture of the music defies definition, owing as much to Balkan and Middle Eastern rhythms, as it does to forms and harmonies of contemporary chamber music, with extended emotional improvising rooted in jazz and blues. The fire and spirit of folk dance music underlies everything, while the contemporary touches make the music a joy to the mind as it is to the body.

'A New Song' finds Vampire Suit a much more mature band than in its previous release. In an effort to further meld musical elements in a cohesive fashion, Vilnai's compositions are tighter, using less material to draw on more influences, and developing it to the max to create a powerful, individual piece. 'Marketplace', for instance, sounds like a typical North African Debka at a casual listen. But more attention reveals that the tunes subtle harmonic shifts, chromatic harmonic lines and tight-knit form are all evidence of a post Stravinsky and Bartok world. 'New Dance' kicks off in a typical Romanian 9/8 rhythm and melody, but the material is quickly developed and expanded into rhythmic and textural interplay, where related themes are bounced back and forth between instruments. 'Jasmine' is more obviously modern, incorporating bi-tonality, 20th century pitch sets and an extended form, while still being informed by the drive of Middle Eastern melody and rhythm, and boasts an interlude in the spirit of (and using materials from) Bartok's violin duets.

Musicians:
Jay Vilnai - Guitar
Skye Steele - Violin
Gary Pickard - Reeds
Mike Savino - Bass
Rich Stein - Percussion

Track Listing:
1. New Dance
2. Serpent Dance
3. Lento
4. Jasmine
5. Tabur
6. Marketplace
7. Circe
8. Shelter Me Beneath Your Pinion
9. Older Than Memory

Recorded at Peter Karl Studios by Jonathan Townes
Additional recording at Studio Stats by Reuben Radding
Mixed and mastered by Reuben Radding
Photo by Joe Gough