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THE BLUE HOUR is a Seattle-based duo that blends elements of ethereal, electronic, and neoclassical music to create a haunting dreampop-noir that is reminiscent of classic 4AD artists while retaining a fresh vision that is unique to Marselle and Brian Hodges. Marselle's ethereal yet soulful vocal delivery often draws comparison to Kate Bush. Meanwhile, Brian's songwriting and production, which focuses on finding that rare balance between the melancholy and the sublime, is frequently likened to This Mortal Coil and Dead Can Dance. THE BLUE HOUR's latest release, "Lore," offers 12 tracks of darkly resplendent dreampop. "Lore" features contributions from Barry Galvin (Mephisto Walz/Christian Death), John Fryer (This Mortal Coil, NiN, Depeche Mode), Pieter Nooten (ex-Clan of Xymox), Mark Gemini Thwaite (Peter Murphy, the Mission), and Wade Alin (Christ Analogue). Founded in 1993, the Blue Hour's roots reach back to the early days of goth and new wave. Marselle and Brian met each other during Seattle's new wave explosion in the 1980s, where they were part of a tribe of youth sleeping in abandoned buildings and dancing the nights away in clubs, discovering worlds of texture and rhythm and beautiful discord ... and most of all magic. Prior to forming the Blue Hour, Brian was the keyboardist for the cult goth-rock band, Black Atmosphere--a band formed by Xstoph Gladis (a former guitarist for Christian Death). Black Atmosphere shared the stage with luminaries, including Christian Death, Sex Gang Children, Clan of Xymox, the Church, Switchblade Symphony, and Gitane Demone. Before joining the Blue Hour, Marselle was the lead vocalist for the dark metal band Crypt Orchid and, over the years, has provided guest vocals for several electronic dance and industrial projects, including the track "I Am God" for John Fryer's Black Needle Noise and backup vocal's for Chris Connelly's track "Dark Skies."

Track Listing

Sales Points

• For fans of This Mortal Coil, Kate Bush, Dead Can Dance and the 4AD's golden years

Press Quotes

Delivering a mesmerizing sound that blends the best of Kate Bush and This Mortal Coil... The Blue Hour have inherited the passion and aesthetic of 4AD's golden years - haunting, deep, and richly melancholic with seamless production

     —Big Takeover Magazine

What we loved in Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, and This Mortal Coil (the early 4AD output) is here in new motion, embracing the current modernities of the genre they adore-yet the LP is not retro at all!

     —Noise Journal

Their swirling soundscape lends itself brilliantly to the earthy and haunting vocals of Marselle Hodges. The music dances around you as if in a dream-like state with a minimal lush approach. Imagine Chelsea Wolfe fronting Dead Can Dance ...

     —InnocentWords.com

The Blue Hour are arch-dream weavers whose almost narcotic backdrops are the perfect structure to hang such rich and emotive vocals, ones which at times sound like lost studio sessions by ambient music's first lady, Kate Bush, slowed down and blissed out.

     —Dancing About Architecture