A Blaze of Feather are pleased to announce details of their self-titled debut album release through bandmate Ben Howard’s new independent label, Hell Up Records.

The album will be released on June 30, swiftly followed by their first live shows, a mini tour of the south west of England, in preparation for a summer of festival appearances.

Earlier this spring an unknown name started cropping up prominently on the British summer festival posters: A Blaze of Feather. Citadel, Latitude, Boardmasters, all had this curious name, front and centre of their posters.

British musician Ben Howard, not one for making too much noise on social media, started retweeting references to the band, which, in turn, became a source of great consternation amongst his fans on both Twitter and Reddit.

The truth is A Blaze of Feather is the music of Ben’s long-standing guitarist and friend Mickey Smith, aided by the same six-piece band as Ben, including ex Hiss Golden Messenger drummer, Kyle Keegan. That the music shares a similar atmosphere and sonic world should come as little surprise. It was produced by Mickey, Ben and fellow guitarist Nat Wason in a makeshift studio on the west coast of Cornwall.

Mickey said: “The songs that form this self-titled debut LP were sparked amongst the winter storms that haunt the west coasts of Ireland and Cornwall. Touring and living on the road away from family can take their toll and it’s only after you return you really know the cost. Each one of us walks our own thread of sanity. For myself, the strange hope of fatherhood ickers amongst the shadows of grief and memories of loved ones lost. I count myself lucky to play in a band that covers sanctuary on many levels and shape shifts so instinctively together. It’s a rare understanding to share and something we don’t take for granted. This past year has spun by so fast we weren’t at all ready to match its pace, but we’ve rolled on as best we can. We have only just finished recording this record, most tracks were put down live and spontaneously. Now we are standing back and taking a look at the whole picture.

“To me it’s music for the madness of life, death and the bittersweet spaces in between.”

A Blaze of Feather follows the release of EP 1. None of the tracks from the EP feature on the album.

Tickets for the band's tour go on pre-sale on June 1 and general sale June 2, and they will be performing at the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth on July 2, the Guildhall in St Ives on July 3, and Boardmasters on August 13. All tickets available via ablazeoffeather.com