BLACKFIELD DO IT FOR THE MUSIC
Aviv Geffen heads into major label territory with his latest recording.
Blackfield, Aviv Geffen’s acclaimed project featuring Steven Wilson, release sixth album For The Music on October 2. It’s the band’s first release for Parlophone.
“Being on a big label means we can now release singles which will get played on the radio,” says Israeli musician Geffen. “When we were on our previous label, Kscope, this was never an option.”
All the songs have been written and produced by Geffen, and one even goes back more than a decade. “Steven and I had Falling done for the Blackfield II album [of 2007]. But then we literally lost it! Now, it’s been revived.”
While Wilson has contributed to the new album, he’s no longer Geffen’s equal partner on the project. “Steven is still my best friend,” he says, “but I’m now steering the Blackfield ship on my own,” he explains. “I’m the only one signed to Parlophone. Steven sings solo on three songs on this album. The two of us do vocals together on three more, and he plays guitar on several tracks. But everything else you hear on the album is down to me.”
For The Music was recorded in London and Tel Aviv. “We used Rik Simpson’s studio in London. He works a lot with Coldplay and he’s someone I admire. I got him to mix the first single, Summer’s Gone. He did an amazing job.”
He adds: “We have introduced a lot more synth and
Moog sounds into this album. It has an 80s feel, and that’s an era I love. So I’m happy to have taken this approach further than before.”
The album title emphasises how much music means to Geffen. “Whenever I’ve been faced with difficult times in the past, like when my parents split up, I’ve written a song about it. Music’s how I’ve always communicated. Therefore it means so much to me. I wanted a title that reflected this. And the song For The Music itself will be the next single.” Right now, there are no specific touring plans – but Geffen is thinking ahead. “We want to be able to get out on the road next
May or June 2021, with the same band line-up as we’ve had for a while. The plan is to go to a lot of places Blackfield have never done before, especially
South America, where we have a large following. We also want to do a small showcase gig in London around October, introducing the album.” MD
“We can now release singles which will get played on the radio.”