Billy Nomates announces new album ‘Metalhorse’
Bristol-based songwriter and producer Billy Nomates has released her new single, ‘The Test’, alongside news of her third studio album, Metalhorse.
Set for release on May 16th via announce the departure of Geoff Barrow”>Geoff Barrow-owned label Invada Records, Metalhorse sees the project mastermind Tor Maries dive into a wider range of sounds than on Billy Nomates and CACTI, as evidenced by the heartland rock sound delivered on the debut single.
Speaking of the difficulties she has faced as an artist over the past 18 months and how they allowed the album to come to fruition, Maries says: “It’s working at something against the odds and feeling like someone’s helping you from the other side, and if they see you that’s the test. I really feel that when we’re playing it live. Like, with everything that’s going on, I can’t believe this is surviving.”
Metalhorse is Maries’ first album made in a studio alongside a full band. She had previously recorded alone in her home studio on all prior releases. Her current live band, who she will tour with later in the year, backed her throughout the recording process.
Elaborating on the post-punk sound that characterised her earlier releases, the new album explores influences such as blues and folk, with more piano-driven songwriting as opposed to the propulsive basslines heard on her past material.
The album is also said to tie around a loose concept, with Maries explaining that the image of a funfair in a state of disrepair was her main inspiration in representing the ups and downs of life that she wished to capture on record. Having lost her father prior to recording, her grief began to work its way into the narrative of the album.
Billy Nomates will headline Ritual Union Festival in Bristol and Cro Cro Land Festival in South London before the release, and a series of five in-store performances is scheduled for the week following the album is shared with the world.
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