FATES WARNING Guitarist's TUESDAY THE SKY: 'Vortex Street' Video

TUESDAY THE SKY, the new ambient instrumental rock project led by FATES WARNING guitarist Jim Matheos, will release its debut album, “Drift”, on June 30 via InsideOutMusic.

A video for the disc’s second single, “Vortex Street”, can be seen below. The clip was directed by David Brodsky of MyGoodEye.

Matheos checked in with the following comment about “Vortex Street”: “‘Vortex Street’ was co-written with vocalist Anna-Lynne Williams and is a bit different from most of the songs on ‘Drift’ in that the main focus is the vocals, as opposed to the more guitar centered material on the rest of the album. The basic outline of the song was written using the AdrenaLinn II to process the guitars and bass so that they, hopefully, don’t sound like guitars anymore. Those ideas were sent to Anna-Lynne, who crafted the beautiful melody lines. The ‘chorus’ was created by editing and processing some of the main vocal lines along with some alternate vocal ideas Anna-Lynne provided.”

“Drift” came together in the downtime between FATES WARNING finishing “Theories Of Flight” and the beginning of the touring cycle, enabling Matheos to explore a type of atmospheric and instrumental music you might not expect of him. He comments: “With this kind of music, it’s a lot about creating a mood and letting that sink in and develop over long periods of time, as opposed to the more frenetic format of most prog music.” Taking cues from artists like Brian Eno, BOARDS OF CANADA, SIGUR ROS and EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, he explores expansive textures and ambient electronica, as well as some of the most colossal riffs he has ever produced.

The album also features the talents of GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT‘s drummer Lloyd Hanney, who provides a rhythmic backbone that is at once punchy, precise and restrained when necessary. Other guests include long-time OSI collaborator and former DREAM THEATER member Kevin Moore who plays keys on two songs as well as Anna-Lynne Williams (TRESPASSERS WILLIAM, LOTTE KESTNER), who provides ethereal vocals (of the non-verbal kind) on two other songs.

What the future of this project holds and whether it will be taken out on the road is yet to be seen. Matheos comments: “It would be a challenge to bring this project but it is an interesting idea and one I would at least consider if there seems to be enough interest.” What is sure, though, is that TUESDAY THE SKY‘s debut is a bold, brave, creative and ultimately successful album from one of rock’s most underrated of musicians.

“Drift” track listing:

01. Today The Sky (04:15)
02. Kite (05:10)
03. Vortex Street (04:46)
04. It Comes In Waves (04:30)
05. Dyatlov Pass (07:29)
06. Far And Away (04:19)
07. Westerlies (05:27)
08. Roger, Gordo (04:06)
09. The Rowing Endeth (04:31)
10. Drift (04:09)