Premiere: Thraa ‘Half Light’ – New Album From The Guitar Drone Duo Drops This Friday, 24th May

Although Shaman HQ is based in Salford, and the guitar drone duo Thraa reside in neighbouring Manchester, it was only through our very own Lee Beamish I became aware of their presence after he caught them last year supporting Lorelle Meets The Obsolete at Ramsgate Music Hall that happens to be located at the opposite end of the country.

It’s funny how things work in this crazy world as after that gig, he urged me to check them out as he knew they’d be right up my street, and wow, he wasn’t wrong. Then at the weekend, I was fortunate enough to finally see them live when they opened for Ufomammut at The White Hotel (photos coming soon-ish!) leaving me mesmerised with just two guitars, a stack of amps, an array of effects and their mammoth Sunn O))) meets BIG|BRAVE doomed out drones.

After they flattened the venue, I had a quick chat with Sally and Andi who told me their new album, Half Light, will be dropping this Friday, 24th May, through their own imprint, Into Earth. Striking while the iron was hot, I said it would be an honour if we could premiere it on The Shaman before its release date.

Luckily for us, they said they would love it if we could and when asked what we can expect from this new four tracker, their response was, ‘We knew this album was going to sound bigger than our first, which was recorded in our practice room. Making Half Light has been a great first exploration into how much noise we can make with two guitars and one vocal in a studio setting. It’s been great to play this new material at our recent shows as it always takes on a life of its own in a live setting. We can’t wait to get back in the studio to record some more and explore new sounds.’

Now click play below and immerse yourself in the droned-out sonics that is Thraa…

More On Thraa & ‘Half Light’

After playing for many years as part of bigger bands, Sally Mason and Andi Jackson of Thraa explore what it would be like to take instruments away, leaving two guitars and one vocal.

Working without the constrictions of a traditionally structured song, this duo improvise around meditative drones, combining Sunn 0))) and Body/Head influenced guitars with soaring vocals, capturing an organic sense of sound that has cavernous textures with minimalism at heart.

Half Light, the drone duo’s new album, offers the next phase of Sally and Andi’s exploration into big dynamics, distorted tonal colouring and heavenly vocals. Set for release on 24th May via Into Earth, Half Light was self-produced by the band and cut in three days at 4AD Studios in London.

With themes of water and landscape running throughout the record, the duo captured the monolithic resonance of their live setting. Half Light was mastered by Sarah Register and its artwork features a collaboration between legends Chris Bigg and Nigel Grierson.

Half Light Tracklist:
01. Into The Blue
02. Contre-Courant
03. Delta
04. Closing Folded Hands

Thraa is:
Sally Mason – Guitars, Vocals
Andi Jackson – Guitars, Bass

Half Light, the latest album from Mancunian guitar drone duo Thraa releases this Friday, 24th May through their own imprint Into Earth with pre-sales for white vinyl and digital downloads available over on Bandcamp.

Label: Into Earth
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram