Description

Geist feels like a window ? or a mirror ? into possibilities of the self and beyond. Shannon Lay?s latest album is tender intensity, placeless and ethereal. It exists in the chasms of the present ? a world populated by shadow selves, spiritual awakenings, déjà vu and past lives.

?Something sleeps inside us,? Lay insists on the opening track, and that?s the guiding philosophy throughout. A winding, golden, delicate thread of intuition that explores the unknown, the possibility. Its title, Geist, the German word for spirit, is rife with an otherworldly presence, the suggestion of another. The promise that you are never alone.

Lay tracked vocals and guitar at Jarvis Tavinere of Woods? studio, then sent the songs out to multi-instrumentalists Ben Boye (Bonnie Prince Billy, Ty Segall) in Los Angeles and Devin Hoff (Sharon Van Etten, Cibo Matto) in New York; trusting their musical instincts and intuition. She then sent those recordings to Sofia Arreguin (Wand) and Aaron Otheim (Heatwarmer, Mega Bog) for additional keys, while Ty Segall contributed a guitar solo on Shores.

As a whole, Geist is both esoteric and accessible. There?s the concise, pared-back cover of Syd Barrett?s tilt-a-whirl-esque Late Night, while Rare to Wake, inspired by Dune, is existential and meditative, a circular guitar riff looping at the core of it. Awaken and Allow, is ancient-feeling and mainly a cappella, its melody channels her deep Irish roots, a moment of reflection, before a drop happens ? its intensity mirroring the anticipation and anxiety that come with taking the first step to accepting change for yourself.

Time?s Arrow, with its refrain of heading downhill, was inspired by something a close friend said. Lay notes: ?I wanted Time?s Arrow to be this gentle reminder that we?re on our way, and we?re moving forward. There is medicine in every moment so don?t rush.?

A Thread to Find, which Lay wrote after walking into an old hotel in Switzerland and being struck by the feeling like she?d been there before, is a testament to the energy we leave behind and stumble across.

And the title track Geist, a song about the power living in all of us, is a love song to the possibility of healing, an ode to falling into the arms of what you?re becoming. It?s a glimpse into the parts of yourself you have yet to meet. But you can, if you want to.

Description

Located on Oldham Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Gullivers is an iconic, lively and bustling bar with a long history dating all the way back to 1865.
Gullivers has had many different guises over the years. It was originally a Wilson’s house called The Albert Hotel, then The Grenadier before J.W. Lees brewery bought the pub in the 1970s. They renamed it Gullivers and it has existed in its current form to this day.
But there’s much more to Gullivers than just the busy bar; it also houses two distinct yet complementary live music and performance spaces; the upstairs Ballroom – a 100 capacity gig venue with a raised stage and the downstairs Lounge – an intimate, 40 capacity space ideal for acoustic or low-key performances.
As well as working with established and longstanding promoters from Manchester and beyond, Gullivers prides itself on being a welcoming, supportive space and a creative hub for the city’s grassroots artistic communities; with many now successful bands, artists, performers and promoters cutting their teeth within its walls.
This rare combination of space, location and ethos allows Gullivers to boast a busy calendar of live music, spoken word, comedy, theatre, film screenings, exhibitions and much more on almost every night of the week.

109 Oldham Street,

Manchester,

Greater Manchester,

England,

M4 1LW.

0161 839 4064