Cotton Candy

Richard Edwards (then frontman of Margot & the Nuclear So and So's) was diagnosed with a potentially fatal stomach ailment, lost 50 pounds, was to forced to abandoned a sold out tour, and spent the next couple years recovering and writing a record about absence. With his marriage also ending he moved into a basement, underwent surgery on his abdomen, and re-wrote the record about absence. The result is Edwards' first effort post-Margot "Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset". Produced by Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Cass McCombs, Beck) the album brings together friends, both old and new, for a sound that may be familiar to some fans of his former band, but more rightly a step into new territory. "I hope it sounds like being lost in an ocean", says Edwards.

"Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset" is the solo debut of Richard Edwards, known for over a decade prior as the man behind the thoughtful indie rock of Margot & the Nuclear So and So's. It's not really a solo debut in a strict sense – Edwards was always his band's singer, main songwriter, and sole consistent member, and a number of guest musicians join him here. What's significant is that it's the first album under his own name, and one that follows a period of personal upheaval.

Syrian-Armenian musical trailblazer Lena Chamamyan is considered one of the best singers of her generation. A spirit of oriental jazz runs through her music – a fusion of traditional eastern songs from the Arab world and Armenia with western styles.

Painting clouds with pastel watercolours and also silhouette painting