ROBERT ASCROFT enlists Kid Congo Powers (The Cramps, Gun Club, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) on his latest single, “Devil Opens The Door,” from his upcoming new album Echo Still Remains out February 14th via Hand Drawn Dracula Records.
On Echo Still Remains Ascroft draws from a diverse array of talented friends, curating a mesmerizing ensemble of vocal performances from Christopher Owens (Girls), Britta Phillips (Luna, Dean & Britta), Tess Parks, Ruth Radelet (Chromatics), Guy Blakeslee (The Entrance Band), Ora Cogan and Zumi Rosow (Black Lips).
On the track, Kid Congo Powers shares, “”Devil Opens The Door” is a swampy, gritty groove courtesy of my friend Robert Ascroft’s wicked songwriting and guitar playing. For my vocal I let loose with Devilish screams that would make even the underworld blush, while Roger Brogan’s primal drumbeat keeps your hips moving underneath. In the video directed by Robert, I channel my inner televangelist, preaching fire and brimstone about the dangers lurking on your TV screen. It’s loud, raw, and just naughty enough—exactly how rock ’n’ roll is meant to be.”
The album takes on a further rich and dynamic sound with the recording contributions of Grammy Award winning audio engineer Ted Young (Rolling Stones, Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth), the mixing of Larry Crane (Elliott Smith, The Shins, She & Him), and mastering by Josh Bonati (Mac DeMarco, Wild Nothing, Slowdive).
Emerging as a prominent photographer in the 2000s, Ascroft forged his path through collaborations with luminaries of the Oscars, Grammys, Tonys, and Emmys from Cate Blanchett, Ryan Gosling, to The Killers, Mark Ronson and A$AP Rocky. With an innate ability to capture the essence of his subjects through his camera lens, he redefines photography, infusing it with depth, emotion, and narrative. A classically trained guitarist turned music producer, Ascroft weaves intricate melodies and evocative songwriting with cinematic narratives.
Echo Still Remains out February 14th 2025 via Hand Drawn Dracula.
“20 New Songs – a swampy, gritty groove” – BROOKLYN VEGAN
“This collaboration is an irresistible invitation to step into the shadows” – LAST DAY DEAF
“Devil Opens the Door hits at the heart of all things humans want against their better judgment” – ALT-77
“Kid Congo Powers is the ideal match for the album’s tone – with all the dangerous allure and dread its title suggests” – VARIOUS SMALL FLAMES
“Robert Ascroft?’Devil Opens The Door ft. Kid Congo Powers” – NICHE
“Robert Ascroft and Kid Congo Powers Awaken the Darkness” – IGGY MAGAZINE
“Five Music Things” – ORGAN ZINE
“a captivating musical piece that envelops us in enigma and mystery” – END SESSIONS
“Robert Ascroft teams up with Kid Congo Powers” – 7TH LEVEL
“21 Titles You Want to Hear” – TINNITIST
“Diving into darker, edgier sonic territories, the track cements the artist’s status as a chameleonic presence in the world of music and beyond” – DESTROY//EXIST
“erupts with unrelenting grit, as Ascroft’s atmospheric guitar and a primal drumbeat lay a captivating foundation for Kid Congo Powers” – DARKEN IN HEART
“a cinematic surfy alt rock noir peer into the darkness” – AMERICAN PANCAKE
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