Today Kaleida's anticipated new album In Arms is out through Embassy One.
Spanning two continents and one ocean, Christina Wood and Cicely Goulder have nurtured a long distance partnership that withstands the shifting patterns of life. They have garnered a dedicated fan base with their distinctive sound and evocative lyricism.
Much has changed since Kaleida’s last release. Russia and Ukraine, where two of their largest fan bases are concentrated, are now at war, and the climate crisis has noticeably accelerated. On In Arms, this global tension has infiltrated their songwriting, yet still does an uneasy dance with uplifting tones. “Even Pandora's box had hope in it,” says Wood.
The duo first garnered international acclaim in 2014, when single ‘Think’ went viral overnight and featured on the soundtrack for the cult Keanu Reeves film, John Wick. After releasing the Think EP in 2015, tours with Alt-J and Roisin Murphy cemented their musical path.
Moody pop debut album ‘Tear The Roots’ was released in 2017, and was partly inspired by Wood’s work in environmental consultancy, with the lyrics alluding to humanity’s relationship with the climate crisis. The record earned the duo their second spot in a film soundtrack, this time for Atomic Blonde (starring Charlize Theron) with a tender take on Nena's 1980s anti-war classic “99 Luftballons”. Second album ‘Odyssey’ followed in 2020, skillfully merging Wood’s sylph-like, operatic vocals with Goulder’s neo-Noir electronica. Both albums were produced by Wood and Goulder.
At the start of 2022, there nearly wasn’t a Kaleida any more. The pressures of parenting, not being able to tour and the pandemic triggered some soul searching, and Wood and Goulder almost called it quits for good. But sometimes you have to look over the edge of the precipice before drawing back. After some time away, the pair have reunited in their virtual studio, and have returned to their musical vision with renewed vigour, working with other musicians and producers most notably producer Johan Hugo (Self Esteem, M.I.A, Skepta).
In Arms also invites Kaleida fans to look back and take stock of how far the two have come. 2022 saw Think (Anniversary Edition) mark seven years since their debut EP, with three new remixes of the single by Polaris Prize-winning singer Lido Pimienta, American hip hop producer Boom Bip and abstract electronic music trailblazer Actress.
Even in the short time since ‘Think’ first captivated music fans globally, Kaleida have weathered several storms. What keeps them coming back together is their unique creative alchemy, which crosses back-and-forth in the digital space. “It’s a constant dialogue of music and emotion,” says Goulder. That connection will hold Kaleida firm, as they prepare to step into their next chapter.
TRACKLISTING
01. Hollow
02. Generation
03. Seagull Nun
04. Choices - Kaleida & Robot Koch
05. Hansaplast
06. Stranger
07. Kilda
08. Endless Youth
09. Hey Little Precious
10. Don´t Turn Me Out - Kaleida feat. Other Lives
LIVE DATES
March 22 - Oslo Hackney - London, United Kingdom
March 23 - Cross Club - Prague, Czech Republic
March 24 - Kabinet múz - Brno-mesto, Czechia
March 27 - Artheater - Köln, Germany
March 28 - LARK - Berlin, Germany
March 29 - HÄKKEN - Hamburg, Germany
March 30 - Chmury Warszawa, Poland
April 11 - High Dive - Seattle, WA
April 12 - The Echo - Los Angeles, CA
April 13 - Brick & Mortar Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
April 20 - Elsewhere - Brooklyn, NY
April 21 - Bar Le Ritz PDB - Montreal, QC
