Thee Conductor’s new album Spirit of a Ghost is out January 22nd. The group emerges with 8 new songs and includes the lovely singing of Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Jana Horn and Will Johnson. Lead by Jason Butler and engineer Justin Douglas (King Electric Recording), the group continues forward movement as a collaborative art project pulling in best friends who are accomplished in their own respective right. The group also includes: The Tosca String Quartet (David Byrne), Michael Patrick St. Clair and Derek Phelps (both of Hard Proof), Vince Delgado (Knife in the Water), Christopher Cox (composer), Sonya Gonzales (Polytrue) and many other wonderful friends.
Since starting the record in 2018, Butler experienced lots of logistical delays including the effects of the pandemic limiting studio access. After cautious planning this body of work was finally completed July 2020.
Butler and his creative cohort known as Thee Conductor once again deliver an album of self reflection and beautiful singing.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the video for “Night Light,” one of the album’s three collaborations with Bonnie “Prince” Billy, who also performed on Butler’s previous record, Cotton Tornado, in 2017. The two also have a whole album in the works slated for release later in 2021. “Night Light” is an homage to a lost friend who took their life during a whirlwind of emotion. Lyrically, the song speaks to a universal feeling of grievances when love unwinds before our eyes, and the resulting feeling of despair that can sometimes turn us against ourselves in a fatal and tragic manner. Coming in at just under two minutes, the music matches the lyrics with its bare folk sound and Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s haunting and vulnerable vocals. The charming video accompanying this song was created by artist Scott Shellhamer who hand painted each frame and features Bonnie “Prince” Billy in human form.
Jason Butler describes the inspiration and process behind the song and its video:
“This song is for those who’ve been unable to escape the darkness. It can be all consuming & unexplainable. Love to those who experience-have experienced-will experience that inescapable feeling. The night light helps, don’t forget. Thanks to Scott Shellhamer for his video work here, taking on the grueling task of hand painting almost every frame of video. Many thanks also to Will for shooting video footage of his beautiful singing.”
WATCH:
Spirit of a Ghost is out January 22nd via Spaceflight Records.
Pre-Order Link:
https://theeconductor.bandcamp.com/
