“I had a full-on stroke. We thought, ‘Let’s forget it.’ Then I realised, ‘If we don’t release it now I could die. These tracks might never be heard. And I’m of the impression that they’re good’’: Post-rock icons’ 10-year fight for their sixth album
Blueneck have released Moonlighting, their sixth album, after a decade of delays caused by illness, the Covid pandemic and vocalist Duncan Attwood’s stroke. The album’s completion became especially urgent after Attwood feared he might die before the music was released, giving the record both personal significance and uncertainty about the band’s future.
Work began roughly a year after 2014’s The Outpost, with producer Mat Sampson’s wife becoming seriously ill before the pandemic halted progress further. When recording finally resumed and Attwood had nearly finished the vocals, his stroke caused another major setback, leading the band to consider abandoning the project before deciding the completed tracks deserved to be heard.
- Blueneck’s sixth album took ten years to complete.
- Illness, Covid and Attwood’s stroke caused repeated delays.
- The band released it fearing the music might otherwise remain unheard.