Albi & The Wolves

Light After Dark is the long-awaited third album by the indie-folk troubadours and to celebrate Albi & The Wolves – Chris Dent, Pascal Roggen, and Michael Young – came into the East FM studio to talk about the new recordings and play live in the studio. The new works contain more instruments with a big band line-up. Dynamic soul, with a country, worldly outlook. Uplifting. And we’ve only heard two songs, so far. Definitely a great start.

Albi and The Wolves press department says: “The award-winning band has expanded their horizons. As demonstrated by the band’s previous singles, they aren’t afraid to do something new with their music, so expect the unexpected as you journey through the 13 tracks.

“TeMatera Smith from AAA Records encouraged the band to experiment during the recording process. Thanks to the pandemic, that took just under two and a half years. This, and the band’s meticulous attention to detail. Bouncing between Micheal Young’s home studio and RedRoom studio the band racked up months of recording time, one that was entirely dedicated to Pascal Roggen’s strings alone.

“The main thematic thread throughout the record is hope, something that we need right now more than ever. The lyrics feel more mature and much like the frontman of the group, Chris Dent, the body of work feels more ‘grown up’. That being said, the band has not lost its sense of fun!

“We wanted to make something eclectic, and distinctive, and we wanted to surprise people with this album. Just like our live shows, we want people to feel joy with us and have those deep moments to reflect on things.

“The accompanying tour comes in November when the band intends to recreate these tracks. They’ll also be reimagining older songs. Lastly, this album will be the first they press on vinyl, something that’s been on the bucket list for the band.”

Album launch concert dates with the 11-member big band line-up are: Auckland at Galatos, Nov 11; Christchurch, at The Piano, Nov 24; and Wellington, at Old St Paul’s, Nov 25. Auckland tickets at https://galatos.co.nz/live/albi-and-the-wolves/