Cape Town – Mumford & Sons announced a new project named Johannesburg on Friday.
The project is a mini-album that the band recorded while on tour in South African and it features Senegalese muso Baaba Maal, local band Beatenberg and London-based act The Very Best.
An announcement on the band’s website reads as follow: "Friends, we’re very proud and excited to announce the release of Johannesburg, a collection of new recordings with Baaba Maal, Beatenberg and The Very Best, out June 17th worldwide.
"Conceived in Johannesburg in February during the band’s sell-out debut South Africa tour, the tourmates recorded these songs over two all-day-and-all-night sessions, with production handled by Mumford & Sons and The Very Best’s Johan Hugo."
Johannesburg, a collection of songs w. Baaba Maal, The Very Best & Beatenberg, out June 17th https://t.co/1foNU1IIV9 pic.twitter.com/sWWviHk3nF
— Mumford & Sons (@MumfordAndSons) April 22, 2016
Their website also contains this note from Ted Dwane on the inspiration behind the songs:
"Since day one, we have been proactive in touring places that most bands don’t often get to. It keeps us from the monotony. I think the road could easily feel like Groundhog Day but whether it’s the Scottish Highlands, India, or a tour on barge boats, our travels still feel fresh and exciting.
"Going to South Africa felt to us to be an adventure into a continent that none of us knew well. The appetite for live music is huge and the youth culture is exploding with energy and rejuvenation."
Watch the trailer for the project here:
The first song titled There Will Be Time, with Baaba Maal, has been released on Spotify. Click here to pre-order Johannesburg.