SHOLTO - Letting Go of Forever

Following the success of 2023’s ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’, SHOLTO shares his debut double LP ‘Letting Go of Forever’ .

‘Letting Go Of Forever’ is an ambitious, 26-track project that pulls from the worlds of jazz, soul, kraut rock, and 60s & 70s soundtracks, spanning influences ranging from Piero Umiliani & David Axelrod, through to ‘On The Corner’-era Miles Davis and Mozart’s ‘Lacrimosa’. SHOLTO’s ability to channel these influences - recontextualising musical forms spanning over a hundred years and capturing a retro, analogue feel with a contemporary twist - is beautifully reflective of the record’s main theme. He shares: “The concept of letting go has always struck me as a painfully natural ritual, yet mastering its art is filled with complexities and anguish. Some may find it morbid, but to me, it's beautifully freeing - letting go of the notion that anything should be forever ultimately brings immense relief. Confronted by the deaths of friends, loved ones, and the breakdown of relationships, I've come to realize that everything is transient, just passing through.”

SHOLTO - Letting Go of Forever - 12" Gatefold Double LP

from £28.00

Cooked up in his studio in Hackney, London, but dreamt up on international escapades - stormy train rides from Milan to Liguria, or packed into cars and vans as a touring musician (Confidence Man) and producer (Katy J Pearson, Sunglasses For Jaws) - the album sees Oscar reignite his relationship with several of the musicians who added their unique flavour to his debut EP, whilst inviting new collaborators to build out the SHOLTO dreamscape. The standout core of the band across the album includes Oscar on drums, the crisp bass tones of Syd Kemp, and an other-worldly combination of James Larter’s twinkling vibraphone, Clementine Brown’s breath-taking string arrangements and the cascading harp of Rachel Horton Kitchlew.

Early singles ‘For The Love of Stripes’ and ‘Ligurian Storm’ create a mystical atmosphere through sweeping orchestrations, delicate, percussive loops and choral pads, whilst ‘Tell Me Myths’ sees SHOLTO invite Australian songwriter and painter Elle Músa for his first vocal feature – a clever blend of French and English that explores the concept of ‘never letting the truth get in the way of a good story’. ‘Moki’ is a sentimental, string-led dedication to Don Cherry’s wife Moki, reflecting her artistic aesthetic and playfulness, and ‘Love Lagoon’ dives headfirst into the world of psychedelia, as swirling synths and swooning vocals transport listeners on a journey from dark to light. Oscar shares: “Love Lagoon started from exploring a reoccurring nightmare that turned into a haven of tranquillity. I dreamed I was being chased, by an unidentifiable presence, and just as it is about to catch up with me, I’d stumble through this bush of bracken and enter into the most serene still, peaceful clearing in the world.”

Oscar’s music career began in 2013, when a record deal took him to LA, leading to him working with producers like Nick Waterhouse (Allah-Las) before returning to the UK and collaborating with the likes of Inflo (Cleo Sol), and Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Squid). He is also one half of production duo Sunglasses For Jaws. His writing style is inspired by soundtrack composers from the 1950s-1970s, and he sits alongside soulful-soundtrack contemporaries like The Cinematic Orchestra, Robohands and The Ironsides. 2023’s ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ introduced listeners to his world of psychedelic-infused, euphoric arrangements, drawing on disciplines from the world of film & classical music, as well as jazz and experimental arrangement techniques.

SHOLTO - The Sunrise Fool [New Single + Music Video]

Fast becoming a key player in the ever-growing resurgence of cinematic psychedelia and library music, Oscar ‘SHOLTO’ Robertson is set to share his debut album ‘Letting Go of Forever’ via Root Records on Friday 15th November.

‘Letting Go Of Forever’ is an ambitious, 26-track project that pulls from the worlds of jazz, soul, kraut rock, and 60s & 70s soundtracks, spanning influences ranging from Piero Umiliani & David Axelrod, through to ‘On The Corner’-era Miles Davis and Mozart’s ‘Lacrimosa’. SHOLTO’s ability to channel these influences - recontextualising musical forms spanning over a hundred years and capturing a retro, analogue feel with a contemporary twist - is beautifully reflective of the record’s main theme.

He shares: “The concept of letting go has always struck me as a painfully natural ritual, yet mastering its art is filled with complexities and anguish. Some may find it morbid, but to me, it's beautifully freeing - letting go of the notion that anything should be forever ultimately brings immense relief. Confronted by the deaths of friends, loved ones, and the breakdown of relationships, I've come to realize that everything is transient, just passing through.”

SHOLTO - Letting Go of Forever - 12" Gatefold Double LP

from £28.00

Cooked up in his studio in Hackney, London, but dreamt up on international escapades - stormy train rides from Milan to Liguria, or packed into cars and vans as a touring musician (Confidence Man) and producer (Katy J Pearson, Sunglasses For Jaws) - the album sees Oscar reignite his relationship with several of the musicians who added their unique flavour to his debut EP, whilst inviting new collaborators to build out the SHOLTO dreamscape. The standout core of the band across the album includes Oscar on drums, the crisp bass tones of Syd Kemp, and an other-worldly combination of James Larter’s twinkling vibraphone, Clementine Brown’s breath-taking string arrangements and the cascading harp of Rachel Horton Kitchlew.

Early singles ‘For The Love of Stripes’ and ‘Ligurian Storm’ create a mystical atmosphere through sweeping orchestrations, delicate, percussive loops and choral pads, whilst ‘Tell Me Myths’ sees SHOLTO invite Australian songwriter and painter Elle Músa for his first vocal feature – a clever blend of French and English that explores the concept of ‘never letting the truth get in the way of a good story’. ‘Moki’ is a sentimental, string-led dedication to Don Cherry’s wife Moki, reflecting her artistic aesthetic and playfulness, and ‘Love Lagoon’ dives headfirst into the world of psychedelia, as swirling synths and swooning vocals transport listeners on a journey from dark to light. Oscar shares: “Love Lagoon started from exploring a reoccurring nightmare that turned into a haven of tranquillity. I dreamed I was being chased, by an unidentifiable presence, and just as it is about to catch up with me, I’d stumble through this bush of bracken and enter into the most serene still, peaceful clearing in the world.”

Oscar’s music career began in 2013, when a record deal took him to LA, leading to him working with producers like Nick Waterhouse (Allah-Las) before returning to the UK and collaborating with the likes of Inflo (Cleo Sol), and Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Squid). He is also one half of production duo Sunglasses For Jaws. His writing style is inspired by soundtrack composers from the 1950s-1970s, and he sits alongside soulful-soundtrack contemporaries like The Cinematic Orchestra, Robohands and The Ironsides. 2023’s ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ introduced listeners to his world of psychedelic-infused, euphoric arrangements, drawing on disciplines from the world of film & classical music, as well as jazz and experimental arrangement techniques.

SHOLTO - 'Letting Go of Forever' - Double Gatefold LP [Pre-order]

Having found support from tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, Deb Grant, Jyoty and Tony Minvielle, SHOLTO returns with the second single from his forthcoming album + announces the album on gatefold double LP, available for pre-order now.

Once again marrying subtle psychedelic influences with orchestral instrumentation and a cinematic ear, ‘Ligurian Storm’ follows the albums first offering ‘For the Love of Stripes’.

Dreamt up on a stormy train ride from Milan to The Ligurian Region of Italy, ‘Ligurian Storm’ creates a mystical blend of harp, strings, vibraphone and synths to mirror the build of a growing storm swallowing a beautiful landscape. Musically sitting somewhere in between the Cinematic Orchestra and Surprise Chef, SHOLTO reflects: “I wanted to capture a scene of outstanding beauty becoming engulfed in clouds and rain as I watched the light disappear. A reminder of how quickly the tides can turn in any situation.”

Oscar 'SHOLTO' Robertson is a drummer, instrumentalist, producer & composer based in London. Growing up with a love for jazz, soul, kraut, and 60s & 70s soundtracks, his music expresses a warm array of colours, analogue instrumental grooves and euphoric sentimentality. His music career began in 2013, when a record deal took him to LA, leading to him working with producers like Nick Waterhouse (Allah-Las) before returning to the UK and collaborating with the likes of Inflo (Cleo Sol), and Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Squid). He is also one half of the production duo Sunglasses For Jaws.

With a writing style inspired by soundtrack composers from the 1950s-1970s like Piero Umiliani & David Axelrod, he also sits alongside soulful soundtrack contemporaries like Robohands and The Ironsides. 2023’s ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ introduced listeners to his world of psychedelic-infused, euphoric arrangements, drawing on disciplines from the world of film & classical music, as well as jazz and experimental arrangement techniques.

‘Ligurian Storm’ sees him return to work with many of the talented cast of musicians he collaborated with on his debut EP, including co-producer and bassist Syd Kemp (Crack Cloud, Jessie Ware) and violinist Clementine Brown (Penguin Café, London Ambient Orchestra). The track is the second taster from his forthcoming debut album ‘Letting Go Of Forever’, an expansive double LP expected this November.

SHOLTO - Letting Go of Forever - 12" Gatefold Double LP

from £28.00

SHOLTO announces new record with 'For The Love of Stripes'

Having found support from tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, Deb Grant, Jyoty and Tony Minvielle for last year’s EP ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’, SHOLTO returns with the lead single from his forthcoming debut album, ‘For The Love Of Stripes’ - a stirring, emotive exploration with choral and classical influences at its core.

Drawing inspiration from Mozart’s ‘Lacrimosa’ and the work of David Axelrod, ‘For The Love Of Stripes’ combines moving strings and choral orchestration with swirling flutes and twinkling percussion to create a hazy instrumental with moody, nostalgic undertones. SHOLTO took the imagery of stripes, applying a linear concept to his composition style, he shares:

“Stripes divide space and bind forms, and are inherently associated with in nature as a warning and signalling of the audacious. They grab attention and at the same time tell us to stay away. Throughout history, they have been the outfit for the outcast or maverick - I thought applying this linear concept to a piece of music could be interesting.”

Oscar 'SHOLTO' Robertson is a drummer, instrumentalist, producer & composer based in London. Growing up with a love for jazz, soul, kraut, and 60s & 70s soundtracks, his music expresses a warm array of colours, analogue instrumental grooves and euphoric sentimentality. His music career began in 2013, when a record deal took him to LA, leading to him working with producers like Nick Waterhouse (Allah-Las) before returning to the UK and collaborating with the likes of Inflo (Cleo Sol), and Dan Carey (Wet Leg, Squid). He is also one half of the production duo Sunglasses For Jaws. 

SHOLTO - The Changing Tides of Dreams EP

Enter the world of SHOLTO and the stunning sounds of his debut EP ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’

Inspired by soundtrack composers from the 1950s-1970s like Piero Umiliani & David Axelrod, ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ refers to the way our lives and selves are constantly transforming, learning and growing; never fully sculpted or content. Written during a time of personal transformation for SHOTLO, the project balances unapologetic ethereal textures with a deep sense of nostalgia and longing, drawing on disciplines from the world of film & classical music, as well as jazz and experimental arrangement techniques.

“I wanted the music to reflect welcoming of new dreams, or departures of previous ones, letting go of old ways to navigate the challenges life can present with a sense of calmness. Ultimately, I also wanted to make something pretty – I’d made lots of louder angrier music when I was younger, but allowing myself to make something more delicate meant more to me than anything had before.”

Sitting alongside cinematic soul-soundtrack contemporaries like Robohands and The Ironsides, tracks like ‘The Peal That Glitters’ highlight SHOLTO’s abilities as an arranger, with a nostalgic edge and shimmering string arrangement that reflects its title. Lead single ‘Vampire’ was arranged in collaboration with Syd Kemp at Haha Sounds Studios, a composition built around contrasting dark choral vocals and heavy beats with soaring flutes, cascading harps and swirling Wurlitzer pads.

Cuts like ‘Over The Sky’ simmer in tension, with a growing urgency displayed as the swung grooves intensify, harkening to the emotive jazz fusion of Makaya McCraven. However, psychedelia looms large on ‘The Pleasure Principle’, where synths create a wall of sound decorated by Arthur Sajas’ playful flute interjections. Filtered drums and percussion suck the listener further into SHOLTO’s hazy dreamscapes, ensuring there’s no escape from the journey ahead.

Buy ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’ on Bandcamp below:

SHOLTO - Over The Sky

London-based multi-instrumentalist, producer & composer SHOLTO continues the rollout of his forthcoming debut EP ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’ with new single ‘Over The Sky’

‘Over The Sky’ acts as a mirror reflecting SHOLTO’s personal and musical growth, and the journey through periods of change. At times it simmers with tension, invoking the state of uncertainty and fear that can come during times of personal upheaval. However, the beauty of cascading harp and ethereal strings carries an undercurrent of hope. The unfolding urgency of the track is displayed as the swung drum grooves intensify, harkening to the emotive jazz fusion of Makaya McCraven.

"Over The Sky is a piece of music about reflections and transformation. I wrote the hypnotic harp line whilst on a flight overlooking the sky and the horizon. The sun was setting and the light was bouncing off the plane onto the clouds. I wanted to create something that was tense but beautiful, reflecting how, in life, whenever you’re scared and blue, you know good is around the corner. Time causes youto see and reflect on past moments with more clarity."

‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ refers to the way our lives and selves are constantly transforming, learning and growing; never fully sculpted or content. Written during a time of personal transformation for SHOTLO, the project balances unapologetic ethereal textures with a deep sense of nostalgia and longing, drawing on disciplines from the world of film & classical music, as well as jazz and experimental arrangement techniques.

“I wanted the music to reflect welcoming of new dreams, or departures of previous ones, letting go of old ways to navigate the challenges life can present with a sense of calmness. Ultimately, I also wanted to make something pretty – I’d made lots of louder angrier music when I was younger, but allowing myself to make something more delicate meant more to me than anything had before.”

Pre-order ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’ on Bandcamp below:

SHOLTO releases new cinematic-soulful gem 'The Pearl That Glitters'

London-based multi-instrumentalist, producer & composer SHOLTO returns with new single ‘The Pearl That Glitters’, the second offering taken from his forthcoming debut EP ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’

Having found support from the likes of Gilles Peterson and New Music Fix on BBCR6 for recent single ‘Vampire’, SHOLTO’s second act of the unfolding cinematic journey that is his debut EP, ‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’, is ‘The Pearl That Glitters’.

Inspired by soundtrack composers from the 1950s-1970s like Piero Umiliani & David Axelrod, ‘The Pearl That Glitters’ has a nostalgic edge and shimmering string arrangement that reflects its title. Recorded at SHOLTOs studio, the track features some of London’s finest musicians, including Penguin Cafe Orchestra’s Clementine Brown on strings, Rupert Cox on piano, Arthur Sajas on flute, Marcus Hamblett on horns and Rachel Horton Kislew on harp.

“The music started with me observing how sun light shimmered and bounced off the iridescent insides of a pearl, inspiring me to write a string arrangement that mirrored that, evoking hazy sun-drenched nostalgia."

‘The Changing Tides Of Dreams’ refers to the way our lives and selves are constantly transforming, learning and growing; never fully sculpted or content. Written during a time of personal transformation for SHOTLO, the project balances unapologetic ethereal textures with a deep sense of nostalgia and longing, drawing on disciplines from the world of film & classical music, as well as jazz and experimental arrangement techniques.

“I wanted the music to reflect welcoming of new dreams, or departures of previous ones, letting go of old ways to navigate the challenges life can present with a sense of calmness. Ultimately, I also wanted to make something pretty – I’d made lots of louder angrier music when I was younger, but allowing myself to make something more delicate meant more to me than anything had before.”

Pre-order ‘The Changing Tides of Dreams’ on Bandcamp below: