Today, Merge Records releases “Dark Night,” by the London Cast of STEREOPHONIC and Will Butler. The composition, written during rehearsals for Stereophonic’s run in London’s West End, finds Butler channeling the tumult of chaos and talent at the core of the play’s narrative through the London cast of the play. The London cast features Zachary Hart (The Seagull), Lucy Karczewski, Jack Riddiford (Jerusalem), Chris Stack (Interview With the Vampire), Nia Towle (Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Andrew R. Butler (Rags Parkland Sings Songs of the Future), and Eli Gelb (The Mastermind), joined on this recording by Will Butler, Justin Craig, and Jerome van den Berghe. “Dark Night”  finds them gelling together as a band as if they were in the eye of that storm, creating an entirely new song with the feel of a timeless classic. It is accompanied by “7 Roads (RAK Studio Sessions).” Both songs are now available wherever you stream music.

Will Butler, on “Dark Night”:

The song itself is a dark fairytale about a mother and child on the run—a little bit “Skye Boat Song,” a little bit “When the Levee Breaks.” 

I wrote it because I was working with a great band—this cast—and wanted to keep collaborating with them on something new. The title of the song is referenced in the play—as a surprise hit that’s climbing the charts—and it seemed like a fun jumping off point. 

We recorded in one day at the legendary RAK studios in London; the track is essentially live off the floor, with a few overdubs done backstage at the Duke of York’s Theater in the West End.

Stereophonic, the most Tony-nominated play in history, shows a band trying to make a record in 1976. The set is a fully functional studio; the cast plays all of the instruments, sings all the songs, and records takes from the stage that are played back live. “Dark Night” is a further embellishment on Stereophonic’s signature sound, for which Butler was nominated for two Tony Awards, for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations. 

“Dark Night” arrives in time for the final weeks of Stereophonic’s run in London’s Duke of York’s theatre, which ends on November 22. The highly anticipated US touring production of Stereophonic is currently playing San Francisco’s Curran Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at StereophonicPlay.com.