The Future Shape of Sound

The Future Shape of Sound

The Future Shape of Sound is a London group centred on producer Alex McGowan, also known as Captain Future, and Stuart “Lodekka” Dace. The group works in a style it describes through the phrases Crime Gospel and Primitive Blues, and its sound draws on blues, psychedelic blues, blues rock and rock influences.

Origins and personnel

Alex McGowan leads the project and also plays doghouse, guitar and skins. Stuart Dace has a background that includes playing saxophone on Primal Scream’s Screamadelica, joining the Mo’ Wax band Deep Joy, and working as Head of Design at Chrysalis Records. Earlier versions of the group also appear as a “previous side” called Toe The Line.

Recording and collaborators

The Future Shape of Sound is linked to McGowan’s Space Eko East Recording Studio in east London, a place associated with a wide range of artists including Jah Wobble, The Tiger Lillies, Son Of Dave, The Urban Voodoo Machine, Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind, Sister Cookie, Big Joe Louis, Tricky, Martina Topley Bird, Stewart Copeland, Josh Homme, Mark Lanegan and DJ Scratchy. McGowan’s tracks from these collaborations and from The Future Shape of Sound appear in television and film soundtracks, including Six Feet Under, CSI Miami, The O.C., Bad Company and Obsessed.

Releases and features

The project’s track “Rise Up” features Sister Cookie on lead vocals, with Leela Thompson and Mysti Vine on backing vocals, Stuart Dace on saxophone, Davie Quinn on keyboards, and McGowan on doghouse, guitar and drums. The earlier “Toe The Line” gains plays on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, and appears on Electro Blues Vol. 2. “Rise Up (feat. Sister Cookie)” is released on Freshly Squeezed Music and published by Wipe Out Music Publishing.

Live activity

The Future Shape of Sound appears at venues and festivals including Bestival, Secret Garden Party, Larmer Tree, Hipsville and Grillstock, in various live line-ups.

Influences

The group cites Sister Rosetta Sharpe, Clara Ward Singers, Slim Harpo and Hasil Adkins among its influences.