Alpha
Released 19th May 2025 on Bandcamp Vinyl and Digital and now on Apple Music
Calling to the Sun, Alpha collaborates with acclaimed vocalist Joanna Swan of Ilya. A fellow Bristol artist, Joanna first gained recognition when Ilya signed with Virgin Records in 2002, releasing their debut album *They Died For Beauty* to critical acclaim in 2004. Her remarkable vocal range has taken her around the world and featured in high-profile campaigns such as Revlon and David Beckham’s *Instinct* fragrance.
Alpha and Joanna first crossed paths in 2020, introduced by Neil Davidge (producer for Massive Attack). Their initial collaboration, *Shuttered I*, appeared on Alpha’s *Salt* EP. However, it would take another four years before their creative energies aligned again—this time, in an intense and transformative week of recording.
Not one to be bound by formula, Alpha’s Corin Dingley approached *Calling to the Sun* with a fresh perspective, building on the unexpected songwriting direction he explored in *Phoenix*. He delved deeper into contrasts, drama, and love, crafting a soundscape that would challenge and inspire.
Then, in September 2024, Joanna traveled to Corin’s studio in France for just one week. Alone in the studio, with only the sweeping views of the Pyrenees for company, she immersed herself in the evolving soundscapes. Without having heard the material beforehand, she surrendered to instinct, allowing her voice to flow freely and capture the raw emotion of the moment. These first takes became the very heart of *Calling to the Sun*.
This album is more than just a collaboration—it’s an unfiltered, deeply expressive journey into uncharted sonic territory.
