Formerly with Swans, avant-garde artist Jarboe’s new album Sightings is out via Consouling Sounds. It is her 36th solo album and 55th in total, with a number of singles released in support of it, alongside a UK tour this coming May.
Regarding Jarboe’s 19-date European and UK tour, the singer and keyboard player will now be performing as a duo with Joy Von Spain.
Jarboe said: “Joy Von Spain and I are interpreting songs from my catalogue alongside new material from Sightings as a duo. Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, Thor Harris won’t be able to join our upcoming UK and European tour. While his presence and unique contribution will be missed, the tour will proceed with full energy. With an intimate experience in sound and feeling, unique to this tour, Joy and I look forward to seeing you in May.”
Sightings features the tracks ‘The Holy Waters’, ‘Francesca Sun’, ‘Choir And Night Fox’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Vireo Serenade’, ‘The Holy Waters (Sangha Mix)’ (CD and digital versions only) and ‘Of Ancient Memory (Oblivion Mix)’.
At the heart of Sightings lies a story of connection with the natural world, a theme born from encounters that are mystical and evasive. The album’s central inspiration is the vireo, a bird whose song is often heard long before its form is seen.
“The vireo is heard yet not easy to be seen as he blends into the green leaves,” said Jarboe. “This is the heart of this project. I recorded this lively vireo one summer. One day, no longer hiding, he was on a branch a few feet away, and he captivated me every morning as I listened to the thousands of variations of his songs. I felt much joy and love as he sang. Later in the summer, another vireo appeared, and the two of them went up into the sky. Vireo was gone for a while, and then one morning, when I was outside, he returned to the nearby tree and sang before he and his friend circled in the air and left to begin their long journey back to South America.”
‘Vireo Serenade’ was the latest single taken from the album, and before that was ‘The Holy Waters’.
JARBOE UK TOUR
17/05/2026 (UK): Folkestone – 20th Century Speedway
19/05/2026 (UK): Bristol – Strange Brew
20/05/2026 (UK): London – Café OTO
21/05/2026 (UK): Coventry – Just Dropped In
22/05/2026 (UK): Newcastle – The Star and Shadow 23/05/2026 (UK): Liverpool – Outer Waves Festival
