In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Tomaga's debut album, 'Futura Grotesk', Hands in the Dark are re-releasing the long sold out record in a limited edition of 500 copies. The reissue will be accompanied by the first-ever vinyl pressing of the band's inaugural EP, 'Sleepy Jazz for Tired Cats', featuring new artwork and 300 units available. Both records have been remastered by Marta Salogni for the occasion.
Established in 2013 by Valentina Magaletti and Tom Relleen, the duo operated until 2020 as a creative laboratory for the London-based musicians to explore beyond their traditional musical endeavours. They sought to deconstruct their usual sonic frameworks, venturing into a novel and unfamiliar auditory landscape. Their work seamlessly integrated various forms of multi-instrumentalism, traversing the realms of industrial, jazz, psychedelia and minimalism.
The band's self-released cassette debut, 'Sleepy Jazz for Tired Cats' presents an unconstrained, complex and abstract introduction to their distinctive and darkly thought-provoking sound.
In contrast, Tomaga’s seminal album, 'Futura Grotesk', further elevates their sonic explorations, leading to compositions that are more elusive and profoundly evocative, resembling the surreal and unsettling language of dreams and other subconscious wanderings transposed into a unique musical expression.
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In a dark Bay Fronted Victorian Conversion, nestled above a bustling street, there lived a cat named Bitmap. She was no ordinary cat—she was perpetually sleepy, no matter the time of day. She’d spend her mornings lounging on the windowsill, afternoons curled up in a ball, and evenings lazily stretching across the couch. Her sleepy nature was legendary.
But Bitmap had a peculiar love: jazz music. The soft hum of a saxophone, the tap of a snare drum, the smooth pluck of a double bass—all of it sent her into a dreamier, even deeper state of bliss.
One autumn evening, as the golden light of the setting sun bathed the room, her humans, were struck by an idea. “We’ve got to do something to wake Bitmap up,” T said with a laugh, watching the cat roll onto her back with a soft purr.
“If jazz makes her sleep, maybe we need to create some jazz with a twist. Let’s make some music just for her.”
They added some distant industrial feel, building layers into a fresh, hunted tune. The room filled with music, bouncing off the walls with fresh energy.
Bitmap’s ear twitched.
V grinned. “Look, she’s moving!”A little more from that evening on, the sleepy cat Bitmap had a new routine. Sure, she still loved her naps, but every time V and T picked up their instruments and played a little jazzy number with a twist, Bitmap would wake right up, ready to dance along.
And as for the music—it was always the same question: “Shall we make some music to wake the cat?”
The answer was always yes.
Established in 2013 by Valentina Magaletti and Tom Relleen, the duo operated until 2020 as a creative laboratory for the London-based musicians to explore beyond their traditional musical endeavours. They sought to deconstruct their usual sonic frameworks, venturing into a novel and unfamiliar auditory landscape. Their work seamlessly integrated various forms of multi-instrumentalism, traversing the realms of industrial, jazz, psychedelia and minimalism.
The band's self-released cassette debut, 'Sleepy Jazz for Tired Cats' presents an unconstrained, complex and abstract introduction to their distinctive and darkly thought-provoking sound.
In contrast, Tomaga’s seminal album, 'Futura Grotesk', further elevates their sonic explorations, leading to compositions that are more elusive and profoundly evocative, resembling the surreal and unsettling language of dreams and other subconscious wanderings transposed into a unique musical expression.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In a dark Bay Fronted Victorian Conversion, nestled above a bustling street, there lived a cat named Bitmap. She was no ordinary cat—she was perpetually sleepy, no matter the time of day. She’d spend her mornings lounging on the windowsill, afternoons curled up in a ball, and evenings lazily stretching across the couch. Her sleepy nature was legendary.
But Bitmap had a peculiar love: jazz music. The soft hum of a saxophone, the tap of a snare drum, the smooth pluck of a double bass—all of it sent her into a dreamier, even deeper state of bliss.
One autumn evening, as the golden light of the setting sun bathed the room, her humans, were struck by an idea. “We’ve got to do something to wake Bitmap up,” T said with a laugh, watching the cat roll onto her back with a soft purr.
“If jazz makes her sleep, maybe we need to create some jazz with a twist. Let’s make some music just for her.”
They added some distant industrial feel, building layers into a fresh, hunted tune. The room filled with music, bouncing off the walls with fresh energy.
Bitmap’s ear twitched.
V grinned. “Look, she’s moving!”A little more from that evening on, the sleepy cat Bitmap had a new routine. Sure, she still loved her naps, but every time V and T picked up their instruments and played a little jazzy number with a twist, Bitmap would wake right up, ready to dance along.
And as for the music—it was always the same question: “Shall we make some music to wake the cat?”
The answer was always yes.
