Dead Air is Marconi Union’s tenth studio album of a career that began in 2002. Starting with the following year’s Under Wires And Searchlights, they’ve created an explorative body of instrumental work that’s shifted between electronica, dub, minimalism, avant-jazz and ambient music. Along the way they’ve collaborated with the likes of Jah Wobble, remixed Max Richter and Vök and provided soundtracks for art installations and other visual media. They’ve also had their own music remixed by Biosphere and Japan’s Steve Jansen, among others.
The new album offers ample evidence of a band in its prime. Marconi Union still sound vital and original, enthused by the possibilities that music has to offer. “We’ve never wanted to repeat ourselves,” states Talbot. “We’ve made ten albums and have been going for 17 years, but it still feels fresh. That’s been so important for us all the way through. We’re looking to do new things all the time” co-founder Richard Talbot says.
Indeed, the exquisite Dead Air bears only a passing resemblance to its 2016 forerunner, Ghost Stations. The trio have dispensed with beats, brass and guest musicians this time around, opting instead for a more intimate and textural approach, a constantly evolving soundworld of tones and sensory impressions.
Dead Air also bears little resemblance to the trio’s initial vision for it. “The album we set out to make had far more of a rhythmic element,” explains Talbot, “ but fairly late in the process, we decided to completely change direction.” This is entirely in keeping with Marconi Union’s guiding methodology. Ideas remain fluid throughout the writing process, until Talbot and bandmates Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows ultimately settle on what feels right to them.
As such, Dead Air is a sublime testament to their collective instinct.
‘Versions’, by world-renowned ambient band Marconi Union, is an EP reflecting a different take by the band on four tracks taken from their previous two albums Dead Air and Signals.
‘In some respects Signals is a more traditional songwriting album than anything we’ve done before, but it draws on the same techniques we’ve used on our previous albums’
“We’ve made ten albums and have been going for 17 years, but it still feels fresh. That’s been so important for us all the way through. We’re looking to do new things all the time.”
‘Ghost Stations’, the ninth studio album by Marconi Union, is set for release on 12th August 2016.
Inspired by the process of making the original ‘Weightless’ track MU have made a whole album using the same approach. Out now.
“Marconi Union are amongst today’s most talented musicians” – Sunday Times Jan 2012.
We are pleased to announce that Marconi Union are re-releasing the ‘Under Wires and Searchlights’ and ‘Distance’ albums through Just Music.
“Places Marconi Union firmly in the vanguard of acts making atmospheric ambient music” Music OMH
We’re over the moon to introduce Marconi Union’s Weightless and Beyond – an ad free 24/7 livestream on YouTube featuring Weightless, Slow Motion, Dead Air and other ambient songs in the band’s catalogue.
Marconi Union play their first headline London date since 2018’s sold out St Pancras show.
Marconi Union’s ‘Weightless’, the world’s most relaxing track, is now on Atmos-supported platforms.
We are delighted to announce that Marconi Union’s seminal 7th studio album Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Vol 2) is now available for the first time on both black and dark green 180gm vinyl.
Marconi Union feature on Ambient Layers Vol. II, released today, with their track Inland Borders.
The new Marconi Union single, Inland Borders, is out now on 7k records.
A Live Connection is the first full-length filmed concert performance in Marconi Union’s 20-year history.
Marcon Union will play live on 4th March 2023 at commonground, Coventry.
With support from Silica and Antonymes (film set).
With support from Dark Fidelity Hi-fi.
We are delighted to announce that Marconi Union return with their new album, Signals, to be released digitally and on CD on 5th November via our sister label Just Music, with vinyl LPs released 10th December.
Marconi Union sit down to talk about the new album, Dead Air.
The new single from Marconi Union’s album ‘Dead Air’ ebbs and flows through layers of icy synths, warm bass tones and swirling electronics.
We are delighted to share the news that Marconi Union’s new album, Dead Air, is to be released on 29th November 2019.
“Marconi Union remain a riveting voice in British electronic music…Playfully melancholic, it’s an immersive, cinematic track, one that plays with aspects of the ‘ambient’ while still exploring fresh, riveting creative pastures.” – Clash Magazine
Marconi Union will be supporting Loscil live across 3 nights in October 2019 in UK.
Marconi Union Official have announced UK live dates for June 2019.
Marconi Union have announced 2 UK live dates in November 2018.
Marconi Union’s track ‘Red Line 12AM’ has been used as the soundtrack to a new film directed by Jasmine Isdrake.
“The idea of generative music how it should be…using it relate to people, our own biology to either create or tailor music to themselves. It finally seems that generative music … has more purpose” Duncan Meadows, Marconi Union
Marconi Union will be performing live Saturday July 15th in Manchester at Band On The Wall.
To celebrate this year’s Record Store Day, Saturday 22nd April, Marconi Union have commissioned four stunningly evocative and bold remixes from Biosphere, Japan’s Steve Jansen, Antonymes and Digitonal, one for each track on Ghost Stations, which exquisitely compliment the captivating beauty of the original album.
Marconi Union will be playing at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool Friday 3rd March.
“The hypnotic synthesizers and soothing warmth of guitars radiates throughout ‘Temperature Drop’, recalling the early 70’s Krautrock movement as well as legendary Chicago ensemble Tortoise and the experimental German label Denovali Records’ output.” – Fractured Air
“Marconi Union always find beauty in the bleakest places “ – Uncut 8/10
The new album, available now.
Ransom Note sat down with Duncan from Marconi Union recently. Read the full interview and download their free “Monday is OK” mix.
The ninth studio album by Marconi Union, out 12th August 2016.
The band play the In The Dock stage on Saturday and will join the likes of Everything Everything, Beth Orton and Field Music.
A specially commissioned track as part of a bespoke installation for Selfridges’ Oxford Street store.
“MU manages to effortlessly generate its addictive idiosyncratic spell once again.” – Igloo Magazine
The wait is over, the album is finally here, Just Music is delighted to announce that Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Vol 2) is released this week. Click through to watch the astonishingly beautiful official video.
