amber webber and joshua wells have been playing together for many years as part of black mountain. they've toured the world and have played impenetrable space-rock to the unlikeliest of audiences. with an abundance of creative energy to spare, the two decided to start a separate project together, that they named lightning dust. committing themselves to a more simplistic approach with lightning dust, webber and wells also decided to escape the comforts of their familiar instruments and writing styles. on their self-titled debut, minimal and spacious arrangements and a moody, theatrical vocal-style aptly expose the demons, creating songs that creep into your bones with a haunting chill. the album was recorded in a dank cave and a bright blue house, perhaps an unconscious yet obsessive protest of the sunny beach and beer world that surrounded them on the outside. but despite this unattractive external world, and while completing the album in small fits of insanity, the two were compelled to retreat to the coastal summer air from time to time, when they could take no more of the shadowy frame that they had decided to enclose themselves in. many of the songs on this self-titled debut began years ago as melodies which persistently floated around in webber's head. and, conveniently, wells was at a loss for words to accompany the piano songs that wouldn't leave him alone. their creation lightning dust matched these lingering ghosts with each other, creating a special, lasting work that perfectly brings together the shadows with the sunshine. on jag jaguwar.
