Chad Valley is the solo project of Hugo Manuel, who happens to be the front-man of alt-folk group Jonquil and is also one of the founding members of Oxford collective Blessing Force. As Chad Valley, Manuel explores sounds that are stray pretty far away from what Jonquil fans are used to. Influenced by his stay in Ibiza, he tries to “recreate the feeling of being on the beach” with his shimmery Balearic blend of electronica.
His self-titled debut EP, released last year on Cascine Records, was a sublime mix of smooth disco, filteredvocals and 80s-inspired beats, with a sprinkling of modernity. It was so successful that Chad Valley became at some point the fourth most blogged about artist on the internet.
Coming June 20th, his new EP, Equatorial Ultravox, brings back the blissfull synths and massive beats while still maintaining the Balearic soul alive. Listen to two tracks below and to get an idea of what the 7-track EP will sound like!
Chad Valley – Now That I’m Real
As a bonus, here is a fantastic remix of “Anything”, taken off Chad Valley’s debut. With Seams on remixing duties, this track takes us on a more instrumental ride, with special focus on vocals and drums.
Chad Valley – Anything (Seams Remix)
For your information, Chad Valley is currently on tour, check out all the dates on MySpace.
5 pings
umstrum LIVE – Playlist 17/06/2011
June 24, 2011 at 2:46 am (UTC 1)
[...] Chad Valley – Now That I’m Real Butterfly Bones – Crystal Caves (Justin Faust Remix) [...]
THE TOUCH – SERMON (Electronica/House – Sweden)
August 14, 2011 at 9:02 pm (UTC 1)
[...] and DJ Nibc (you can purchase the EP here). Also included in this fantastic package, a remix by Chad Valley, who brings for the occasion a touch of balearic and a childwave atmosphere and which we are [...]
THE SOUND OF ARROWS – REMIXES (Electro/Synth/Pop – Sweden)
August 31, 2011 at 10:41 pm (UTC 1)
[...] the attention of many remixers and producers. Over the past few years, artists such as Tom Staar, Chad Valley, Fear of Tigers, II Figures or Curtis Vodka have been all invited to travel through the duo’s [...]
THE TOUCH – ALL I FIND (Electro – Sweden)
March 12, 2012 at 6:24 pm (UTC 1)
[...] well as Swedish house label Trunkfunk, and have done remixes for the likes of Robyn, Rex the Dog, Chad Valley, Pacific and [...]
WORLD TOUR – BELIEVE (Synth/Chillwave – Sweden)
April 1, 2012 at 10:05 pm (UTC 1)
[...] and Merike Kjaergaard from Östersund, Sweden. After signing to Cascine last year (also home to Chad Valley, Wintercoats, Jensen Sportag, Evan Voytas), the trio received rave reviews for their single [...]