.

.

REB FOUNTAIN
finally shares
anticipated
second album
“IRIS”

.

REB FOUNTAIN // Photo Credit: Marissa Findlay

.

New Zealand alternative folk artist, Reb Fountain’s 2021 record IRIS is the award-winning artist’s second release with Flying Nun Records. The perfect extension of her 2020 self-titled record, IRIS elevates Reb Fountain’s music to new heights. Reb effortlessly combines pop elements with her trademark noir folk-punk sound; weaving authentic andanthemic tunes that create an instant and indelible impression. Recorded at Sublime Studios with co-producers Dave Khan and Simon Gooding, IRIS is a reflection.

.

.

On writing the album Reb said, “I tried to catch the light refracting – the full saturation of suchness – and remain open to whatever emerged. The space we found at Sublime and the tight-knit connection that we held was intricately woven into the fabric of IRIS during the writing, production and recording process. IRIS provided me an opportunity to speak my unspoken, to reflect what I have seen and experienced from within and to bear witness. These songs are a reminder of a map to a place we all know. They are a vision of our past, a memory of our future and high beam headlights whether you’re behind the wheel or staring down the barrel of their glare. They are a story of endless unrequited love and the hunt for tethering to a kindred spirit.”

Diving into the deeper meaning of the album’s namesake, Reb says, “Iris is in many ways an unsung hero, known as the goddess of the rainbow, sea and sky, she acts as bridge between the gods to humanity with little of her own story known. So many stories go unheard, so many aspects of our humanity are unsung; visibility is a contested and inequitable space where what is essential, and of beauty, is often ‘invisible’. I wanted and needed to give voice to this essential human spirit; to conjure and hold and commune with the very real, valid and invaluable voices within and around me.”

.

.

IRIS features “Swim to the Star,” a song written by American folk singer Peggy Seeger and her son Calum MacColl. A fitting anthem for our times, Reb connected with Peggy to ask for her blessing to record the song. “We performed ‘Swim to the Star’ on Radio New Zealand last year and a few days later I received an email from Peggy telling me that she had heard news I was covering her song and could she hear it. I sent her the live version and also the version we had just recorded for IRIS. Peggy was incredibly thoughtful and generous of spirit and we continue to stay in touch. She gave me her whole-hearted blessing, which meant the world to me,” said Reb.

In May 2020, Reb Fountain released her self-titled album via New Zealand label Flying Nun Records to much critical acclaim. Reb Fountain won the 2021 Taite Music Prize, was shortlisted for the Silver Scroll Award for her song “Don’t You Know Who I Am,” and the album Reb Fountain was nominated for five New Zealand Music Awards; Album of the Year, Best Alternative, Best Solo Artist, Best Album Artwork and Best Engineer.

The award-winning songwriter, Reb Fountain, is a consummate recording artist and performer; spell-bounding audiences with her music and artistry alike. Throughout 2020, Reb and her all-star band astounded audiences around the country on her sold out album release tour, joined Crowded House on their 13 date, ‘To The Island Tour’, performed at Splore, and honoured the great Nick Cave at the sold out Auckland Town Hall show, ‘The Boy Next Door’.

Reb was born in San Francisco and immigrated with her family from North America to Lyttelton — the quiet port town out of Christchurch that’s been fundamental to New Zealand’s alt-folk scene, raising artists like Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, and Delaney Davidson.

IRIS is available across all
streaming platforms now.

.

Cover Credit: Steve Wheadon

IRIS
Tracklisting

1. Psyche
2. Foxbright
3. Invisible Man
4. Heart
5. Beastie
6. Fisherman
7. Swim To The Star
8. Lacuna
9. Iris
10. Intermission

.

Follow REB FOUNTAIN
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

.

AMNPLIFY – JC