The Midnight Ache is a breathtakingly beautiful and perfectly crafted piece of alternative
folk with a lo-fi heart and a touch of humble grandeur, performed by an
artist with a voice that can break hearts and songs that
can heal even the most weary souls. John Blek, known as one of Ireland's most creative and independent artists
, releases another gorgeous record featuring 11 new songs. This time,
John has taken his DIY spirit a step further. Not only did he
record and produce the majority of the album himself, but he even went so far as
to build the recording studio with his own hands. "A labor of love but labor all the
same," is how Blek describes the process.
In April 2024, Blek completed the construction of his new creative home, Bigger River Recording
Co., and set to work on what would later become The Midnight Ache.
Echoes of Sparklehorse and Beck, circa Sea Change era, lend this record a lo-fi
intimacy, while the string arrangements balance the sound with breadth and sophistication. The new album revolves around the theme of "home." It features vocals from John's wife, and even the cover is adorned with pressed flowers from her garden. His regular collaborator Brian Casey at Wavefield Recordings handled the production and mixing.
Support Act: RHAYN
She blends literature and music into delicate, introspective folk. Inspired by Mary Oliver and Patti Smith, her sound is reminiscent of Billie Marten or The Staves. Her debut EP, "Days at Home" (2024), tells a story of retreat and healing. Her releases "Call My Name" and "Mary Oliver" won her an award at the MUFA Producer Competition. RHAYN lives in Vienna and will be touring Central Europe in 2025.
is curated Live on Stageby Klaus Totzler (Blue Bird Vienna).
