[11 Mar 2021]

Jacaranda Records have signed Simon And The Astronauts, featuring Grammy nominated Rachel Haden on lead vocals, as part of a unique international collaboration.

With a new album – Parallel Worlds – recorded and ready to roll, former Beck, Weezer and Todd Rungren collaborator Rachel, who’s Haden Family Songbook was nominated in eight categories for the 2021 Grammy Ballot, leads an all-star lineup poised to unleash the results of a global project recorded amidst the depths of lockdown.

The daughter of legendary bassist Charlie Haden and scion of an American folk dynasty, Rachel fronts an eclectic band of collaborators contributing from across the planet,  including band leader and poet Simon Wells, acclaimed songwriter Ben Hewerdine and producer/engineer Chris Pepper – a cosmic indie four piece backed by the songwriting and counsel of Ivor Novello nominated producer/performer/writer Boo Hewerdine (Eddi Reader, The Corrs, Fever Pitch).

Written, recorded and mixed during the global lockdown, a blistering quartet of singles is slated to appear ahead of the album’s international release in October 2021, with a limited edition vinyl run – produced in partnership with Los Angeles based Ring Records – available to buy online from April.

Originally a vehicle for the inter-generational writing team of Wells, Hewerdine and Pepper, the project’s focus changed when Haden’s contributions to some early tracks left the ensemble blown away. Enchanted, the trio asked if they could write an album of material for the acclaimed US vocalist and when she said yes, an explosive collaboration took shape.

Slated to be recorded in between dates on the critically acclaimed Haden Triplets’ European Tour, even the onslaught of the global pandemic wasn’t enough to halt the project in its tracks. Working remotely the quartet wrote, exchanging ideas and music as Simon crafted lyrics to reflect the events of the day while Ben and Chris incubated fresh sonic landscapes for Rachel to fly over.

Conceived, crafted and produced in the heart of the maelstrom and proudly leading the vanguard of new ways to make and sell music, Parallel Worlds sees four exciting voices coming together to make something extraordinary.

Rachel Haden said: “Working with Simon and The Astronauts and Jacaranda has literally been an out of this world experience! I feel elated and full of joy listening and singing along to each song. Thanks to Ben, Chris, Boo and Simon for this fantastic opportunity. I just hope we get to play live sooner rather than later.”

Jacaranda Records’ Capomaestro Ray Mia said: “These are trying times, but creating opportunities for musicians to explore new projects and fresh career routes has always been at the core of what Jacaranda Records was built to do and we are still working out new ways to find bands with unique voices and talent.  From the unreal nature of its recording to the unique partnerships and collaborations underpinning the entire undertaking’s release, Simon and The Astronauts is a textbook exercise in how to do things differently, and we’re delighted to be part of it.”