It’s been 18 since he left the public spotlight but David Baker, original singer in American alt-rock heroes Mercury Rev, is back with a new band, Variety Lights. The band, a collaboration between Baker and fellow vintage synth addict Will MacLean, have an EP ready for release on 21st April, with a full album to follow in June. The lead track is, appropriately, “Silent Too Long”, which will be released as an exclusive single for Record Store Day on transparent peppermint green vinyl.
As co-founder and vocalist of Mercury Rev, Baker helped to forge their revolutionary sound. he left the band in 1993 to be replaced by Jonathan Donahue. Since leaving Mercury Rev Baker has released solo albums and more recently he has been working as a producer for other bands.
The album was recorded by Baker at his own Over the Trees studio using a mixture of 80’s era midi expanders, vintage keyboards, drum machines and effected guitars. Speaking about the band’s sound, Baker says that “personal adventure is and always has been the most important thing”. Baker says that plans are afoot to play the songs live with a full band including drums and bass, with dates to follow at some point later on in 2012.
Variety Lights – Silent Too Long EP is released on 21st April 2012 on Fire Records
Listen to the EP here – http://soundcloud.com/firerecords/sets/variety-lights-silent-too-long/