Hailing from Athens, Georgia, NYC-based Night Palace is a shocking alchemy: achingly intense nostalgia meets frothy anticipation of what’s to come. Debut album Diving Rings was announced alongside the “Jessica Mystic” album track + video, a catchy indie-pop song inspired by the year a close friend spent watching online psychics on YouTube. Due out April 1 on Park The Van the album is a moonlit-gilded diorama of frontwoman Avery Draut’s dreams and memories,. Draut’s ethereal vocals glide over swelling strings and hypnotic organ interspersed with shimmering indie-rock guitar and pendulum-like rhythm.

Diving Rings is a dizzying listening experience delivered in eleven theatrical yet intimate songs and interludes through which Draut illuminates a tableau of past, present and future moments with the loves of her life. Written between NYC and Athens, the album’s oceanic themes originate with Draut’s recollections of her grandma, who taught her to swim, to engage with her community, and to reconcile fear of the unknown. “When I am away too long, I crave the ocean,” she says. “That feeling of floating, suspended, not knowing what’s around you and trusting it to hold you.” 
 
Before forming Night Palace in 2016, Draut studied classical voice while she grew as a songwriter in Athens – she duetted with Kevin Barnes (of Montreal) on Jackson 5 songs at her best friend’s wedding, sang Hebrew folk songs in a chamber ensemble opening for Kishi Bashi, and sang in Eric Bachmann’s (Archers of Loaf, Crooked Fingers)touring band. Draut moved to New York City in late 2016 and started working at The Metropolitan Opera, as an assistant producer. Her move opened new creative avenues for Draut; she sang backups on shows and concerts with artists including Kadhja Bonet, comedian Larry Owens, and POSE’s Mj Rodriguez, in between drives back to Athens to work on the debut record. Diving Rings was recorded with engineer-producer Drew Vandenberg (Faye Webster, of Montreal). Andy LeMaster (Better Oblivion Community Center, Michael Stipe) lent additional engineering and producing. The result is a dynamic, atmospheric pop collection, with hints of gentle psychedelia and new wave.

Photo Courtesy: Sara-Anne Waggoner