It's been about two years since Hugo Manuel, a.k.a. Chad Valley, last released a record. "I've written a lot over the last year, I've just got to hone it down," says the angelic-voiced Hugo, who recently spent time in a house in France writing and writing (and biking to the nearest town for bread and cheese for lunch!). Manuel, with duet partner Pamela Martinez at his side, played some new, even still untitled, songs for KEXP in his live set with DJ Cheryl Waters. As usual, Hugo's voice — featured in big, bright and full songs with enough sonic space to lose and then find yourself within — would be successful in any sort of music and at any time, whether harmonizing with 808's or walking by medieval castle towers strumming a mandolin, potential lovers throwing favors from their windows. Check the songs out for yourself here:
Full performance:
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