Artist: Alison Eales
Title: Through Hoops
Format: Digital EP
Cat#: Fika094RMX
Release date: 30th December 2024
Bandcamp | Spotify
Through Hoops – taken from the album Mox Nox – is a song about the tensions inherent in friendships between people who are almost too alike. Upbeat and energetic, it features flute improvised by Diljeet Kaur Bhachu.
With support from Creative Scotland, the track was produced by Paul Savage at Chem 19 studios and mastered by Reuben Taylor. The cover lettering was cut from a risograph print made by Rhian Nicholas for the cover of Mox Nox.
The song is accompanied by a video made from clips of Prelinger Archives films, including Control Your Emotions (1950), Heavenly Bodies (1920s), Facing Reality (1954) and The Lamp of Memory (1944).
Along with vocal and instrumental versions of the lead track, the digital single features four remixes. The remix project was prompted by a request from Knut Børre Lindbjør, founder of the band Featherfin (along with the Eardrums music blog and EardrumsPop label). The track has also been reimagined by Matt Ashton (The Leaf Library and Basic Design remixes) and Isobel McKenna (Blue Kanues, Even Sisters).
About the remixes, Alison says:
When Knut asked me if he could remix one of my songs there was really only one contender. As he wasn’t overly familiar with the original track, I decided to make it even more challenging by sending him just the isolated vocals. I was so thrilled with the result that I decided to approach some other friends to see what they could do.
I knew that Matt liked the song, and as a fan of The Leaf Library I trusted him to come up with a wonderful remix – in the end, he came up with two, each with a distinct feel. I also knew that Isobel was interested in mixing and remixing, and that I could rely on her to make a version that would bring some contrast to sit alongside Knut and Matt’s dreampop.
