In mid-February, Cate Le Bon will tour New Zealand for a special pre-album release celebration – her fifth studio album, due out on Mexican Summer (Conan Moccasin, Ariel Pink) in April, 2019. These performances will feature Cate on piano, accompanied by John Thomas (Cate Le Bon/Islet) on synth and sampler, for a captivating and intimate rework of Cate’s diverse musical catalogue. Cate will arrive in New Zealand following a sold-out piano tour of the UK, in gorgeous, seated, historic surrounds; she is excited to shape that performance for audiences across a wide range of venues for her New Zealand run of shows.

In 2016, Cate and her band appeared at The Tuning Fork, and then a show at Golden Dawn, days later. It was packed, and for good reason – Cate is amazing. Her vocals are rich and warm, a delicious aural treat, enveloping you within a shell of intoxicating melody. Her multi-instrumental mastery simultaneously shreds and quells. The takeaway from Cate Le Bon’s shows? A euphoric sonic experience – psychedelic, entrancing, quirky, poignant, dynamic and moving.

2018 saw the 2nd release of her weirdo-automatic-folk-ballad-krautrock side project, Drinks, with long-time partner in rhyme Tim Presley (White Fence) to much critical acclaim. In April of this year she traveled to Marfa, TX to work on a collaboration with Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox during the prestigious Marfa Myths Festival. This musical kinship and mutual admiration for one another led to Cox to ask her to produce their new album.

In addition to all the above, Cate also undertook furniture-making study in the Lake District, performing at various festivals in the UK, continued with pottery, and many other pursuits. And she said this was her year off!

For those who love her already? A reason to be really excited about the middle of February.

For those uninitiated few? A new-found favourite artist.

File under maxi-minimal deconstructionist: for fans of architecture, night flights and the sea.

CATE LE BON