Cold Specks signs with Arts & Crafts

Straight outta Etobicoke, promising 23-year-old singer/songwriter Al Spx aka Cold Specks burst onto the global stage recently with a head-turning appearance on the popular British television show Later... with Jools Holland which you can see below.

Full marks to Arts & Crafts who signed the London-based Spx (previously known as Basket of Figs and The Hotel Ghost) and announced the December 13 release of Cold Specks' debut single Holland b/w Old Stepstone well-timed to coincide her Toronto appearance at the Phoenix opening for St. Vincent on December 15.
Spx sites the field recordings of Alan Lomax and the churchy Memphis belthing of James Carr as key influences on her sound which she describes as "doom soul."
It all bodes well for her forthcoming full-length album currently being mixed with legendary acoustic engineering ace Jim Anderson (Ron Carter, McCoy Tyner, Branford Marsalis, John Zorn) with tracks reportedly produced by PJ Harvey sidekick Rob Ellis who worked wonders for Anna Calvi.  Can't wait to hear what she does with the London Community Gospel Choir. I'm guessing you'll be reading much more about Cold Specks very soon. Check out the two songs from her single following the video clip. If you like what you hear, you can get digital versions right here.



Cold Specks on Later... with Jools Holland