Posts Tagged ‘in grief or in hope’

BIG|BRAVE, the singular trio of guitarist/vocalist Robin Wattie, guitarist Mat Ball, and bassist Liam Andrews, have shared the title track single for upcoming album in grief or in hope, out June 12th.

The single comes ahead of their spring European tour and follows the announcement of their extensive summer North American tour with The Body this summer.

‘in grief or in hope’ stands as one of the album’s most direct pieces, presenting Robin’s emboldened, steady voice with pitch-shifted modulations. The thrum of guitars by Wattie, Ball, and Andrews create a makeshift bass drum pulse beneath sheets of distortion and feedback.

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The work of BIG|BRAVE is ever-expanding. The breadth of their sound has encompassed a breathtaking array of dynamics and sonics. Their sound, guided by their indomitable exploratory spirit, exploits contrasts between extremity and subtlety. The trio’s singular, masterful sculpting of sonics into songcraft tucks layers of vulnerability into formidable storms. in grief or in hope is an innovative vision of electro-acoustic sound and emotive storytelling, an endless bounty of overwhelming distortions and devastating beauty.

Together the trio deliver emotional momentum that vividly describes the complex and deep feelings of struggle, pain, and transcendence. in grief or in hope transmits that sense of humanity with every gesture.

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BIG|BRAVE tour dates

May 24 – Utrecht, NL – EKKO [tickets]
May 25 – Amsterdam, NL – OCCII [tickets]
May 27 – Saint-Imier, CH – Toxoplasmose Festival [tickets]
May 28 – Basel, CH – Kuppel [tickets]
May 20 – Torino, IT – Jazz is Dead
May 30 – Piacenza, IT – Desert Fox Festival [tickets]
May 31 – Ljubljana, SI – Channel Zero [tickets]
Jun. 2 – Poznan, PL – Pawilon [tickets]
Jun. 3 – Berlin, DE – Berghain [tickets]

Jul. 8 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs [tickets] *
Jul. 9 – Portland, ME – Space [tickets] *
Jul. 10 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz [tickets] *
Jul. 11 – Toronto, ON – St Stephen in the Fields [tickets] *
Jul. 12 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop [tickets] *
Jul. 14 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle [tickets] *
Jul. 15 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry [tickets] *
Jul. 16 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge [tickets] *
Jul. 17 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive [tickets] *
Jul. 18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge [tickets] *
Jul. 20 – Seattle, WA – Black Lodge [tickets] *
Jul. 21 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt [tickets] *
Jul. 22 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios [tickets] *
Jul. 24 – Sacramento, CA – Café Colonial [tickets] *
Jul. 25 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill [tickets] *
Jul. 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon [tickets] *
Jul. 27 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar [tickets] *
Jul. 28 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge [tickets] *
Jul. 30 – Denton, TX – Rubber Gloves [tickets] *
Jul. 31 – Austin, TX – 13th Floor [tickets] *
Aug. 1 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall [tickets] *
Aug. 2 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa [tickets] *
Aug. 3 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn [tickets] *
Aug. 4 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Purgatory [tickets] *
Aug. 5 – Durham, NC – Pinhook [tickets] *
Aug. 6 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery [tickets] *
Aug. 7 – Philadelphia, PA – PhilaMOCA [tickets] *
Aug. 8 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg [tickets] *

* w/ The Body

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Photo credit: Stacy Lee

The acclaimed trio BIG|BRAVE have announced their 10th full-length, in grief or in hope, out June 12th, 2026. in grief or in hope is an innovative vision of electro-acoustic sound and emotive storytelling, an endless bounty of overwhelming distortions and devastating beauty.

Along with the album’s announcement, the trio have shared first single & video ‘the ineptitude for mutual discernment,’ a powerful encapsulation of the ensembles’ singular approach to textural distortion and emotional complexity which contrasts tides of bristling guitars against guitarist/vocalist Robin Wattie’s resolute voice. The video was created by guitarist Mat Ball with color correction by filmmaker Stacy Lee.

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in grief or in hope marks a shift for BIG|BRAVE towards denser, guitar-oriented compositions. With longtime touring bassist Liam Andrews (MY DISCO, Aicher) joining guitarist/vocalist Robin Wattie and guitarist Mathieu Ball in the studio for the first time, the pieces are keenly layered with a rich tapestry of harmonics and tonal intricacies. Each piece is its own biome of distortions starkly contrasted with delicate, even tender, moments. The trio’s instinctual progressions are made more vivid through live recording, harnessing the gargantuan and storied sound of their performances. Within texturally maximalist loops and affected vocals, the pieces utilizes the aesthetics of drone, electronic, and heavy music within a foundation of pop song form.

Wattie writes: “I wanted to explore catchy, melodic phrasing weaved throughout the intensity of the instrumentation and droney chord changes. All that I could reflect on was grief and hope; death and life; cause and effect; shared experiences of being a human person.”

The tenth album for the ensemble, in grief or in hope pays homage to their past while looking into their future. Standout “the ineptitude for mutual discernment” expands on lyrical themes first explored on 2015’s Au De La where “verdure” echoes melodies from the title track of 2014’s Feral Verdure. These references to their past serve as potent reflection points on BIG|BRAVE’s evolution as artists. A sonic whirlpool of string instruments surrounds Wattie’s commanding vocals as she shifts from spectral undulations on pieces like ‘what may be the kindest way to leave’ to the direct, spare declarations of the title track. The ambiguity of mountainous chords on ‘an uttering of antipathy’ are coupled with autotuned phrases emphasizing isolation inside the fray.

Together the trio deliver emotional momentum that vividly describes the complex and deep feelings of struggle, pain, and transcendence. in grief or in hope transmits that sense of humanity with every gesture.

AA

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Photo credit: Stacy Lee

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ON TOUR IN MAY AND JUNE

24 May – Utrecht, NL – EKKO
25 May – Amsterdam, NL – OCCII
27 May – Saint-Imier, CH – Toxoplasmose Festival
28 May – Basel, CH – Kuppel
29 May – Torino, IT – Jazz is Dead
30 May – Piacenza, IT – Desert Fox Festival
31 May – Ljubljana, SI – Channel Zero
2 Jun. – Poznan, PL – Pawilon
3 Jun. – Berlin, DE – Berghain