| 40 Watt Sun | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Devon, England |
| Genres | Alternative Rock, Experimental Rock |
| Years active | 2009 - Present |
| Labels | Metal Blade Records, Cyclone Empire, Svart Records, Radiance Records |
| Associated acts | Warning, The River, Electric Mountain |
| Website | 40 Watt Sun on Facebook |
40 Watt Sun are an experimental/alternative rock project based out of Devon, England. Formed in 2009 by one Patrick Walker after Warning would disband, 40 Watt Sun would take a drastically different musical approach than the doom metal sound of his prior band. The band's sound would be more in line with alternative rock with an emphasis on atmosphere, characterized by distorted guitars, down-tempo rhythms and strong melodies, and by Patrick Walker's introspective lyrical themes and poignant vocals. To date the project has released two studio albums and has toured North America and Europe, often performing marquee appearances at various festivals.
The band's name derives from a lyric in the Marillion song "Emerald Lies".
History[]
40 Watt Sun would form in 2009 by Patrick Walker after Warning would disband. He would found the band with drummer/percussionist Christian Leitch, previously best known as the guitarist and founder-member of London-based band The River, and bass player William Spong. The band would make their live debut at a small, intimate show at The Scream Lounge in London on 20 December 2009, alongside the London-based band Wake.
Following an appearance at Doom Shall Rise,[1] 40 Watt Sun would begin work on a debut album. The band would record five songs over three days and nights at The Library Studio in London, produced entirely by the band and engineered and mixed by bassist William Spong. The Inside Room would see release on 4 March 2011 and would attain praise by various publications.[2][3][4]
40 Watt Sun would tour Europe with Semlah and Mirror of Deception, appearing at Night of Doom and Dordrecht Doom Day, followed by a North American tour and closing the year at Madrid is The Dark. The band would also appear at major events such as Roadburn Festival, Damnation Festival,[5] Doom Over Liepzig, Blowup and Hammer of Doom Festival[6] among other events.
Work would begin on a second album through 2015 and 2016, culminating in the release of Wider Than The Sky on 14 October 2016 and a release party at The Black Heart with Emma Ruth Rundle on 19 October.[7] Wider Than The Sky would attain praise from several publications.[8][9][10][11]
40 Watt Sun would tour Europe and North America to support Wider Than The Sky through 2017 and 2018. In 2020 it would be announced that 40 Watt Sun were intended to return to Roadburn Festival on request of Emma Ruth Rundle as part of her curated lineup "The Gilded Cage" for two exclusive performances.[12] However this would be postponed to 2021 in light of the CO-VID19 Pandemic. On 27 October 2021 a third studio album would be announced.
Perfect Light would be set for a 21 January 2022 release via Svart Records and Cappio Records, with "The Spaces in Between" premiered to promote the album.[13]
Discography[]
- The Inside Room (Studio Album) (2011, Cyclone Empire, Metal Blade Records)
- Wider Than The Sky (Studio Album) (2016, Svart Records, Radiance Records)
- Perfect Light (Studio Album) (2022, Svart Records, Cappio Records)
Members[]
- Patrick Walker - Guitar, Vocals (2009 - Present)
- William Spong - Bass (2009 - Present)
- Christian Leitch - Drums (2009 - Present)
List of Known Tours[]
- The Inside Room European Tour (With Mirror of Deception, Semlah) (2011)[14]
- The Inside Room North American Tour (2011)[15]
- 2016 European Tour (2016)[16]
- Wider Than The Sky North American Tour (2018)[17]