Jack Tatum, who undertook a solo venture as Wild Nothing, debuted with a bedroom dream pop record, Gemini, in 2010 to many plaudits. With the release of the follow-up, Nocturne in 2012, Tatum's career took a sizeable leap, playing in countless festivals, topping the year end album list (Under the Radar), and even having a Hollywood actress, Michelle Williams, star in the music video for one of the LP's standout tracks, "Paradise". Today, Wild Nothing made an announcement on Facebook of a new seven-track EP, Empty Estate, due out on May 14, along with a music video for "A Dancing Shell" - a glorious animation of paintings and illustrations by the Brooklyn artist, Eric Shaw.
Empty Estate according to Tatum:
"This is a record that happened very fast for me. We had just gotten back from a particularly long European tour last November, our first supporting Nocturne, and I was feeling a lot of things. I found myself struggling with what it meant to be a musician, with what music in general meant to me and what part I could possibly play in it. Playing the same songs every night for months left me bored with myself. But when I got home, for the first time in awhile it suddenly seemed that the pressure was off. We didn't have any tours planned for several months and I started to remember again why I love music in the first place. I listened to Brian Eno and David Bowie for weeks on end and felt like I was hearing them for the first time. I took a trip to Miami with my girlfriend. I visited my family. I felt free to try things musically that I would have stifled before. The songs on this EP were recorded over a 10 day period and are a reflection of this time. Of all the frustrations and successes and moments of peace in between."
The latest incarnation of the former Virginia Tech student explores the synth-driven vistas with consumers connecting dots to Talking Heads on "A Dancing Shell", rather than refining the ethereal guitar pop we associate Wild Nothing with - an exciting change and not a misstep.
Empty Estate Track Listing:
1. The Body in Rainfall
2. Ocean Repeating (Big-eyed Girl)
3. On Guyot
4. Ride
5. Data World
6. A Dancing Shell
7. Hachiko
Available in limited edition CD & LP inclusive of an obi strip, illustrated insert, red vinyl, poster, hand numbered envelope, 2x sticker pages, button and slap bracelet. via Captured Tracks/ Bella Union.
Upcoming Live Dates
May 30 Porto – Optimus Primavera Sound Jun 08 New York, NY – Governor’s Ball Jul 24 New York, NY – Terminal 5* Jul 25 Boston, MA – House of Blues* Aug 03 Montreal, QC – Osheaga Festival Aug 04 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza * w/ Father John Misty