Kelli Ali - Rocking Horse
Brand NEW solo album (CD/DL) produced by Max Richter out November 24th on One Little Indian.
Lead Single ‘What To Do’ out November 10th (DL Only)
Kelli Ali, former lead singer of Sneaker Pimps (‘Becoming X’) is set to release her third solo album, Rocking Horse, on November 24th on One Little Indian Records. The album was produced by Max Richter (Vashti Bunyan, Composer of The Blue Note Book, Memory House) and recorded over three months this spring in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Pencaitland.
A departure from her trip-hop and electronic catalogue, Rocking Horsesignals pastures new for Kelli Ali, as focus is placed on whimsical vocal work and sparse arrangements, crafting unique explorations into modern folk, medieval melodies and contemporary classical music.
Rocking Horseis a stark abandonment of an electronic past, but this is how itpenetrates: Abandoning style for substance, crafting hauntingly ethereal mood pieces adorned by Richter’s richly melodic, textured production skills. This music is timeless, but only is such that time is irrelevant. Medieval and baroque sensibilities playfully combine with dark nu-folk to conjure a haunting tapestry of powerful, modern madrigals.
Utilizing Richter’s classical background, Rocking Horseshimmers with string quartet and flute arrangements, cor anglais and vintage organs, alongside the masterful acoustic guitar playing of Marc Pilley, Richter’s own piano work and Kelli’s endearing vocals.
Rocking Horse is influenced by Kelli’s nomadic past, wherein she travelled across California and Mexico after the release of her last solo album, Psychic Cat in 2004. ‘Urique’ was written in a sacred canyon in Mexico after hitching a ride with a meth-addicted truck driver, whilst the title track emerged after a journey through the California wilderness.
Soft spoken as it is powerful, dreamy as it is melancholic and enchanting as it is haunting, Rocking Horse marks the beginning of a new Kelli Ali, one influenced by her loves, loses and life experience.
Kelli Ali will be touring in the autumn. Dates are TBA.
“Stunning – It is immense. A sprawling lament to lost innocence”
WOUND MAGAZINE
Kelli Ali Biography
Kelli Ali's musical career began with the iconic 90's trip hop band Sneaker Pimps. With Kelli the lead singer of the unforgettable 'Becoming X' album, Sneaker Pimps enjoyed instant fame and their hits '6 Underground' and 'Spin Spin Sugar' graced the airwaves to worldwide critical acclaim.
In 2001 Kelli signed a solo recording deal with One Little Indian Records, her debut solo album, 'Tiger Mouth (which Kelli co-produced with legendary producers, Rick Nowels and Marius De Vries) featured 'The Doors' drummer John Densmore on the Armand Van Helden remixed 'Kids'. Kelli's follow up album 'Psychic Cat' (produced by Dave McCracken) featured Primal Scream guitarist Andrew Innes.
Diverse and original, Kelli Ali’s list of collaborations is impressive and this illusive artist has continued to strive and succeed in making innovative and powerful records. Kelli's voice is unmistakably unique and her song writing so fluent and stylish that she has been sought by many respected artists to add her remarkable talent to their songs and albums. (Paul Oakenfold, Marylin Manson, Bryan Ferry, Bootsy Collins, Satoshi Tomiie)
In 2005, Kelli left London in order to travel around Mexico and California and write new songs for her 'Rocking Horse album'. She finished writing the album in 2007 and asked Max Richter (Producer of folk legend, Vashti Bunyan's recent album,’ Look Aftering' and composer of 'Memory House', 'Songs From Before' and 'The Blue Notebooks,') to produce 'Rocking Horse'
