Orbital Call It Quits; Paul Hartnoll Announces New Project 8:58, Shares "8:58" Video, Touring

After 25 years, British electronic duo Orbital are calling it quits. Brothers Paul and Phil Hartnoll announced their retirement today on their website, but their spirit lives on: Paul will continue to make for a new project called 8:58. His new self-titled album arrives February 16, 2015 via the artist-to-fan platform Pledge.

The title track from the record is become available as a free download on 8:58′s website; it features an opening monologue from actor Cillian Murphy (known for his roles in Batman Begins and the crime drama “Peaky Blinders”, whose score featured contributions from Hartnoll). Hartnoll has also shared its music video – a bizarre black-and-white clip set in a psych ward – and announced a brief UK tour in support of the album. Stream “8:58” above, and below, check out the video and a full list of upcoming tour dates.

Paul Hartnoll offered the following words in a statement posted to the band’s website:

We’ve had our ups and downs, and it’s not always been easy, but I’ve loved my time with Orbital. It’s been brilliant that we’ve been able to take our music to so many places, from local clubs to headlining Glastonbury to playing massive events across America, Australia, Japan… It’s been fantastic.

It was particularly nice to get such a lovely reception when we got back together a few years ago. We made the Wonky album specifically to play live and these shows over the past few years have been a real high point in many ways. The shows and the audiences have been amazing.

But nothing lasts forever and it’s time to stop. Since finishing the soundtrack with Flood & PJ Harvey for the BBC One television show Peaky Blinders, I’ve now got my own new project, ‘8:58’ which I’m really excited about. It’s a continuation of my work from the past 25 years but with a new vitality taking me on to something fresh, mixed with the best of what I’ve put into Orbital. Expect some live shows soon where I will be playing a mixture of my new music alongside my Orbital favorites.

Discussing his inspiration for the album, Hartnoll had this to say:

I’ve always had a thing for clocks and for time as a powerful force – but also the way it oppresses you. It’s one of those things I keep coming back to. For me, 8:58 is a moment of choice. It’s almost 9 o’clock. Are you going to school? Are you going to this job you hate? Everybody faces that decision now and again. 8:58 am is when you’ve got to make up your mind.

Orbital formed in 1989 and released eight albums before disbanding in 2004. In 2009, they reformed to play the Big Chill Festival in England; a career-spanning compilation, Orbital 20, soon followed, and in 2012, the duo released their most recent full-length, Wonky. That same year, they performed at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony with Stephen Hawking.

8:58 (Paul Hartnoll):

02-18-15 Oxford, England – 02 Academy
02-19 Norwich, England – UEA
02-20 Glasgow, Scotland – Glasgow 02 ABC
02-21 Manchester, England – The Ritz
02-24 Bristol, England – Bristol 02 Academy
02-25 London, England – Shepherds Bush Empire

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