NZ Entertainment Podcast past studio guests Ekko Park release their highly anticipated second album Know Hope on Friday 30th October, and we can’t wait
The sophomore album includes the hit radio single Validation and new radio single Probable Cause.
To celebrate the release of Know Hope Ekko Park will embark on a nationwide tour with Dead Letter Circus (Australia) playing at the Kings Arms Auckland on Thursday 19th November, Allen Street Rock Club Christchurch on Friday 20th November and Bodega Wellington on Saturday 21st November. Tickets on sale now from www.nztix.co.nz
Since the release of Ekko Park’s excellent debut album Tomorrow Tomorrow Today in November 2013 and the nomination for Best Rock Album at the 2014 New Zealand Music Awards, the band has had a whirlwind 23 months. With an honest, unique and energetic brand of rock ‘n’ roll Ekko Park has played sold out tours of NZ, headlined a tour of the UK & Ireland, supported international touring acts as well as playing several big local festivals including Homegrown.
Know Hope is the culmination of all of these experiences. The band wrote the album while on tour and this energy and perspective is really captured both lyrically and sonically. Joe Walsh comments: “Know Hope is the sound of 4 guys who have really become a unit, channelling all the touring and live experiences…”
Recording of the album, produced by Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, Bullet For My Valentine, Super Furry Animals) and mixed by Adrian Hall (Depeche Mode, Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, Goldfrapp) began in June. “Initially we recorded the single Validation together and we were so energised by the whole process that we knew it was the formula for our second record” says Joe. “As we played these songs live it was clear just how big the raw energy was and that was exactly what we wanted to capture on this record.” After three sessions at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios, Ekko Park relocated to a kiwi bach on the Coromandel Peninsula where they recorded the album. “Being by the ocean and having no distractions helped create the album’s unique energy and forged its identity. It wouldn’t be the same album if it wasn’t made there.”
Adding to their considered approach to this album, the band will be making the packaging (a poster inspired by Joe’s lyric in street art) themselves. This will be a limited edition and an extremely unique accompaniment to the music.