Bits n' Bobs: Kayo Dot, Gaza, Link, Absolutist

Lots of various news over the last seven to ten days. Most excitingly, there was word from Toby Driver that Kayo Dot have begun work on a new record, Hubardo, which will be a double concept album clocking in at 90 minutes and the band hope to begin recording in late April. This will be the follow-up to last year’s intriguing Gamma Knife record that was a shorter, more concise record, at only about 35 minutes. With Hubardo, they appear to exploring even more ambitious terrain, which is hardly a surprise considering it’s Kayo Dot.

“We think this is one of the best things we've ever done, honest. So, we’re incredibly excited about it,” said Toby Driver in a newsletter email about the whole endeavour, which will see his former band from Maudlin of the Well, Jason Byron, pen the concept and lyrics.

The album pre-orders are already available HERE if you want to help the band out in getting the project off the ground. Here’s a cut from last year’s Gamma Knife to remind you what a peerless band Kayo Dot are.

Gaza announced they’re breaking up. Given recent controversies, it’s not surprising. The vague status update on Facebook below suggests that it wasn’t a totally amicable decision, especially with the line “some of us” will continue to make music. New band(s) are likely to emerge from their ashes in the coming months I’d wager.

 “Gaza is no longer a band. A big thank you to anyone that has supported us. Some of us will continue to make music together."

Finally, Distroy Records in Sligo are releasing the new split LP from Belgium’s Link and Scotland’s Absolutist and they’re streaming a new song from each right now, which you can listen to below. There’s  a full new offering entitled ‘By All Means’ from Link while Absolutist offer up a three minute sample of the 16 minute track that will make up their side of the LP.