Hemlock Ernst Shares"Old Dead Dogs" Feat Faitboi Sharif, Beans

Studying Absence is a collaboration between Hemlock Ernst — a side-project of Future Islands member Samuel T. Herring — and longtime Beans collaborator Icky Reels. It arrives via Beans’ Tygr Rawwk Rcrds, and was carefully orchestrated by the label’s CEO. Herring initially caught the attention of Beans after his rhymes appeared on the 2022 R.A.P. Ferreira single “mythsysizer instinct.” Today they tap Faitboi Sharif & Beans for the latest single “Old Dead Dogs”

Herring had been a longtime fan of Beans and his group Anti-Pop Consortium. After initially connecting, Beans eventually coordinated a Herring vocal appearance on the Venga track “Anti-Star System.” Beans later encouraged Herring to make a record with Icky Reels, in an effort to push artistic boundaries. “With Hemlock Ernst, I tend to work over soul and jazz break type beats. Icky Reels’ production was a far more industrial and acidic landscape. I knew this would be more of a cerebral process, breaking down the beats, challenging the rhythms, finding the voices. But I decided to accept the challenge,” Herring says. Beans was pleased with the end result, and Studying Absence is the most ambitious record in the Hemlock Ernst discography to date.

“Old Dead Dogs” follows the previously released singles, “Raised In the South” and “Remains” featuring Elucid of Armand Hammer. Additionally, Hemlock Ernst & Icky Reels have also announced a run of fall tour dates as well, including a Brooklyn date on 11/21 at Baby’s All Right. See below for the full list of dates.