Following the release of his debut self-titled album in 2021 K3:lu (AKA Patrick Hatchett) returns with a new album ‘Vol.II Cortis’, due for release September 20th. The project brings together a diverse array of sonic flavours, human influences, and cultural experiences accumulated over his many years in music.
The 8 track LP pays its respects to early Dance culture, Afrofunk, 80’s Soul, Dub and Jazz set against the backdrop of digital mutterings and acoustic pickings. A playfully created world of buckled samples, interwoven guitars, percussive atmospheres and dislocated voices all pieced together in his West Cork Studio.
With themes exploring legacy, loss, celestial intervention and human positivity. Music with optimism and hope created amidst a time of personal and global upheaval.
Contributors on the record include vocalist Senita Appiakoreng (Shookra). Alex Sampson (Son Of Nowhere, Kneecap, Talos) and Robin Hopcraft (Soothsayers, Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA Orchestra).
K3:lu shares a taster of what’s to come with single ‘Standing Ovation (Good People of the World), and says:
“Standing Ovation (Good People of the World) shares its smiles with artists tracks like Trouble Funk’s ‘Drop the Bomb’ or maybe Wally Boudarou covering A Guy Called Geralds ‘Voodoo Ray’. Simply put, it’s a celebration of those folks in this world who make it a better place for us all. To all the sounders, the solids, the carers and supporters. To the quiet lovelies and the fierce as f**k fighters. To those that consistently show up for others without fanfare or reward. As the world continues to lose its ever-unstable footing, now is the time to hold, revere and learn from these great teachers. So, armed with Bass driven 80s Soul, Linn Drum Second Line celebrations and free party electronica, I invite them to stand up, take a bow and bathe in this musical thankyou.”
Early work on the record was inspired by the unsettling state of the world – the aftermath of the ‘Big Freeze’ (pandemic), continued geopolitical chaos, globally inequality and closer to home the recent loss of his mother – Hatchett began to envision humanities need for an ‘’intervention” Maybe coming from another planet or cosmos..
“I was imagining a magnificent yet mechanically unstable being sent to earth to deliver glitchy AI generated guidance. Machine-learnt wisdom made up of all historys religious and spiritual teachings. Proclaiming upcycled self-help jargon, shamanic mutterings all prompted by the same messages we as humans had been proclaiming yet ignoring ourselves for millenia”
The project took an unexpected turn when in late 2022 Hatchett developed a problem with his right ear. A condition that escalated fast, severely affecting his hearing, his balance, his relationship to sound, and the wider world. Without any clear medical answers and faced with extreme sound sensitivity, intense tinnitus and enforced solitude he set off down the path of an ‘open to anything’ approach. An expansive list of alternative diets, treatments, therapies, and introspection. And it was within this process that he was able to re-enter the studio, finding new ways to work and slowly began to piece together the record with a new eye on the project and its intentions.
‘Vol.II Cortis’ the new album from K3:lu will be available 20th September 2024 on Creeping Curtain Records. Listen to ‘Standing Ovation (Good People of the World)’ out now:
https://k3lu.bandcamp.com/track/standing-ovation-good-people-of-the-world
BIO.
In 2022, K3:LU did a post ‘Covid’ run of summer shows including shows at ‘Body And Soul’, ‘Electric Picnic’, ‘Another Love Story’, A ‘Stranger In Love’ ‘Clonakilty International Guitar’ and Inside Out Festivals.
As an established guitarist, remixer, and producer, Hatchett’s time is divided between composing for screen, producing, and live performance. Over the years, he has had the pleasure of playing and recording with a broad selection of artists, including Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra, Soothsayers, reggae legends like Johnny Clarke, Cornell Campbell, and Dennis Alcapone, UK Lovers Rock artists like Dennis Bovell, Janet Kay, and Carol Thompson, and West African artists such as Dele Sosimi and Baba Adecosee Wallace. Taking in shows such as Glastonbury, Womad, Bestival, Sunsplash, Later with Jools Holland, BBC Maida Vale sessions and extensive UK and European tours.
In the studio, Hatchett’s collaborations have included writing and recording with producers and artists such as Mark Rae (Rae and Christian), The Nextmen, Brad Baloo, and Tim Deluxe, alongside his longtime production partner Rhys ‘Yesking’ Adams. Together, they have remixed artists such as Amy Winehouse, Billie Holiday, and DJ Vadim. Recent K3:lu remixes, “Light the Way” by Soothsayers (Wah Wah 45) and “Sincerity” by Ghostchant (Tangential Music), have received support from BBC 6 Music, with Giles Peterson calling the latter a “great remix” on his show.
This eclectic blend of styles, sounds, energy, and characters has shaped Hatchett’s musical make-up, reflected in both his writing and playing styles.
www.k3lumusic.com
K3lu.bandcamp.com
@k3lumusic
