Ex Agent - New Assumptions... - CAS

Ex Agent’s debut EP ‘New Assumptions…’ (out 30th July) is a collision of no-wave abrasion, free-jazz wreckage and spoken-word incantations that teeter on the edge of collapse. Within this sonic disarray lie carefully constructed moments of beauty and fragility, which are in turn dismantled and disrupted by bursts of harshness. The journey seeks to navigate queer and neurodivergent identity through sonic themes of refuge and chaos. Single 'Jessie’s Christ' lurches between incendiary noise-rock and drunken cabaret theatrics…

Formed in late 2021 in Bristol, the group initially bonded over a mutual appreciation of artists like The Lounge Lizards, This Heat and Movietone. Taking inspiration from free-jazz, New York no-wave, gonzo journalism, and Film Noir, the project weaves elements of performance art in their live shows, making a reputation for themselves across the Bristol DIY/experimental scene.

These live shows have earnt them slots performing alongside the likes of Drahla, Moin, and Dame Area, as well as a night curated by fellow Bristol experimenters, Squid. Other notable shows include festival slots at Simple Things, Ritual Union and Outer Town, as well as participating in a one-of-a-kind improvisational performance alongside experimental-rock legends Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), and the late Mark Stewart (The Pop Group) at The Cube Microplex in 2022. Earlier this year, the band returned to The Cube for another intimate show with powerhouse Deb Googe (My Bloody Valentine/Thurston Moore Group).

Frequent collaborators of these live performances include harpist Natalie Whiteland (Minor Conflict) and cornetist Harry Furniss (Bingo Fury, Iceman Furniss Quintet), both of which are featured on the EP, alongside Tom Connolly of Quade (violin on track ‘New Assumptions’). As well as this, a choir comprised of friends of the band; Foot Foot, Minor Conflict and Broadsheets (on track ‘Credit Song’) was recorded in the radiant hall of St Anne’s church, a seeming contrast to the dingy basement of the Louisiana pub where the majority of the EP was recorded.

Ex Agent are Evo Ethel (vocals, guitar, woodwind), Alfie Hay (guitar, effects), Eve Rosenberg (bass, effects), Aidan Surgey (drums, percussion) and Archie Ttwheam (keys, woodwind).

UK Tour Dates

25th May - Liverpool @ Outer Waves Festival

2nd June - Oxford @ The Library Pub

3rd June - London @ George Tavern

4th June - Brighton @ Pipeline

6th June - Carmarthen @ SLUSH 1

10th June - Manchester @ The Rat & Pigeon

11th June - Coventry @ Priory Visitor Centre

12th June - Portsmouth @ The Deco

18th June - Cardiff @ Porter’s

1. New Assumptions

2. ...

3. Ex Agent-And The Way She Shakes His Fist At Them

4. Jessie's Christ

5. Credit Song