Floating Points
Manchester, UK

Floating Points - aka Sam Shepherd - dropped his first release Vacuum EP on Eglo Records in 2009 followed by a steady run of 12”s and EPs on the label he co-founded from 2009 - 2015. His Debut album Elaenia in 2015, propelled him from underground dancefloors to festival stages worldwide after being named Resident Advisor’s Album of the Year.

Whether leading his 16-piece Floating Points Ensemble; venturing into the desert to create a short film and soundtrack shaped by its sonic landscape (Reflections - Mojave Desert, 2017); or curating a collection of ambient and piano compositions for Late Night Tales, he is impossible to pin down. His 2019 album Crush showcased this symphonic craftsmanship, blending classical sensibilities with Buchla synthesiser.

In 2021, Promises, his dreamlike collaboration with Pharoah Sanders and the LSO, earned a Mercury Prize nomination, and a sold-out Hollywood Bowl show. Between Mere Mortals, his ballet score for the San Francisco Ballet, the Lazarus soundtrack for Adult Swim, and Promises it seemed Shepherd was departing the dancefloor. However, In 2024, Shepherd released Cascade, an album of Buchla rhythms and glitchy melodies crafted for dancefloors. With live shows centered around the album, the dynamic interplay of music and visuals showcases Shepherd's sonic innovation.

Listen:
Floating Points