Eldritch Priest's Unexpected Virtue

Set for release on October 11, 2024, via Halocline Trance, Dormitive Virtue captures Priest in full explorer mode.

Known for his mind-bending books and other writings, and disorienting chamber works for multiple ensembles, Priest's latest is a solo guitar album. It's mostly improvised, concise, and surprisingly accessible – a far cry from his usual sprawling melodies and elusive forms.

"I began my training as a jazz guitarist, but very quickly moved away from trying to play idiomatically," Priest reveals. This jazz background is evident in Dormitive Virtue, but it's filtered through decades of experimental exploration.

The album was born from a live performance at Vancouver's 8East in April 2023 – Priest's first solo guitar show in his 35-year playing career. It features two original compositions, a crackling cover of Wayne Shorter's "Iris", and five improvisations.

Priest's playing on Dormitive Virtue is uniquely his own, a captivating document of one of Canada's most intriguing improvisers in dialogue with his recent artistic experiences. His work in the experimental duo Alfred Jarry and an intensive guitar practice during his 2022-3 sabbatical paved the way for this album.

Available for pre-order now, with vinyl and digital formats on offer, the album's release will be celebrated with a live performance at Toronto's Tranzac on November 28, 2024.