Alberta Cross announce forthcoming album ‘The Thief And The Heartbreaker (Re-Imagined Collaborations)’ which is due for release on 22 November via Dark Matter/Austral Media with Kartel Music Group.
A new take on Alberta Cross’s 2007 debut, which set the foundation for their Americana-tinged indie and alternative sound, the re-imagined album hosts a wealth of musical collaborations from friends. Re-recorded in Frome, Somerset, at Ethan John and Dom Monks (Big Thief) Bert Jansch studio, the release was self-produced by Alberta Cross vocalist Petter Ericson Stakee, and mastered at the hallowed Abbey Road Studios with 360 Mastering.
So far, there have been a handful of tracks from the album - ‘Devil’s All You Ever Had (featuring Dylan Leblanc & Tomas Andersson), alongside ‘The Thief And The Heartbreaker (featuring Band Of Skulls)’, ‘Old Man Chicago (featuring Jack Savoretti)’ and ‘Lucy Rider (featuring Katie Melua)’. It’s clear from these singles that Alberta Cross’s debut remains timeless. Their re-works honour the original whilst breathing new life into each track through collaborating with musicians that have crossed paths with the band over the course of their twenty year career.
Today, Alberta Cross releases the next instalment in single ‘Hard Breaks (featuring Joseph Arthur and Dan Mangan)’, an indie-americana anthem and live favourite for their fans. Watch the visualiser by Barcelona based Greek artist Lignes Invisibiles here.
Petter speaks on the new single, “I’m delighted to have these two legends and gents singing ‘Hard Breaks’. I’m a big fan of both Joseph and Dan. We’ve crossed paths in different very important stages in my music life. Meeting Dan in the crazy but amazing early London days that really shaped me as a singer, artist and human being and of course hanging and playing many jams in New York City in the same room as Joseph Arthur in the late hours of the night or shall I say early hours of the morning more likely with some pretty insanely incredible people. Beautiful time and experiences I won’t forget”.
Dan Mangan adds, “Back in the early days, I’d sleep on a friend’s floor in London for a few weeks at a time and try to play as many shows as possible. I played with Alberta Cross at this pub called The Slaughtered Lamb. Probably a few dozen people there. They slayed. It was loud and fast and wild. Over the years, we kept crossing paths at festivals and the stages gradually got bigger for both of us. I was thrilled to sing on Hard Breaks because it reminded me of being in my mid 20s and wanting to be Jack Kerouac. And the hard breaks that ensued”.
Joseph Arthur also comments, “I’m a big fan of Alberta Cross and so was of course honoured to be asked to collaborate with them on this wonderful project. We spent many New York nights in the same rooms playing music together collaborating with all kinds of lunatics and superstars. Those were the days, but now these are the days, thank God for everyone”
Originally released in 2007 as a collection of self produced demos, Alberta Cross’s debut ‘The Thief and The Heartbreaker’ set the blueprint of their sound. “It felt so great writing those songs” recalls Petter. “Wherever I play in the world, I still have to play them. It felt so pure, it was one of the most exciting times I’ve had as a songwriter”.
More recently, 2023 saw the release of Alberta Cross’s most recent album ‘Sinking Ships’, establishing their music as vital as ever. It was supported by the likes of Billboard, Clash, Rolling Stone, and NPR.
Alberta Cross will be celebrating the release of ‘The Thief And The Hearbreaker (Re-Imagined Collaborations)’ with a headline run in November. Tickets are on sale here and dates are:
ALBERTA CROSS LIVE
- 17 Sep - Paris, La Maroquinerie (FR)
- 18 Sep - Riom, Indian Saloon (FR)
- 19 Sep - Tourcoing, Le Grand Mix (FR)
- 20 Sep - Eindhoven, V.O.F. Café Wilhelmina (NL)
- 21 Sep - Humello, Wandelclub Weekender Festival (NL)