On Wednesday, April 16, indie dreampop shoegazers Ummagma debut their video for "The Road to Lees", created by videographer Jason Sheppard (Wales). This is the 13th official video for this Canadian-Ukrainian duo. Their visuals once again take us into dream territory, as they have established a tradition of doing, albeit with a twist this time.
Sheppard, explains, "We can consider a happier place through reminiscing, childhood memories, a time forgotten. In dreams, we see places we've been and the people we've seen." Shauna from Ummagma sees this video as somewhat of a juxtaposition: "unfortunately, apart from that which was familial or community-based, what we knew as the good old days did indeed seem 'real', but it was based on a faulty foundation, which we're only hearing about now. Just the same, this is still a happy place for many".
"We're thrilled that 20 of our favorite blogs in 20 different countries are simultaneously premiering the video, which is a very big deal for us". This is a most impressive geographic reach for a music video premiere by an indie band of this caliber.
Beyond this video, 2014 looks to be an exciting year for Ummagma, with several albums in the works - Emerald & Doreen Recordings (Germany) will release the first of these on May 16. This 'Lama Remixes' LP features an international roster of electronic producers and artists, including legendary new wave electro pioneer Alexander Robotnick.
The band is also pursuing other collaborations, remixes and releases through Ear to Ear Records (UK), involving Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), Mal Holmes (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark), Sounds of Sputnik (Moscow), Lights That Change (UK), Graingerboy (UK), and Graham Bonnar (Swervedriver/ Brian Jonestown Massacre).
Ummagma formed in 2003 after Alexx and Shauna met at a concert in Moscow. They blend their love of synthpop, alternative rock and electronica to create deliciously diverse, dreamy music, loaded with positivity. In 2012, they simultaneously released 2 debut LPs (
'Antigravity' & 'Ummagma'), followed by the
'Split' EP on Italy's Som Non-Label in May 2013 and 'Rotation/Live and Let Die' on Emerald & Doreen Records in December.
In 2013, Ummagma won the Alternative Eurovision hosted by Amazing Radio, representing Ukraine from 21 countries, picked up 2 awards at the Australian Independent Music Video Awards (including best international pop video), not to mention a full-page spread in Rolling Stone Russia. The duo has also regularly featured in The Scottish New Music Chart over the past two years.
promo girl // 16/04/2014