VIDEO PREMIERE: Composer BK Pepper performs his new EP in full from Rathfarnham Castle

Following the release of his lauded debut album Territories last year, BK Pepper has returned with a beautiful new EP - recorded live in Rathfarnham Castle in Dublin.

Hot Press are delighted to premiere the full, four-track recording below - featuring an accompanying film directed by Antimo Puca and Hector Romero. Strings are performed by Glasshouse along with acclaimed musician Gareth Quinn Redmond. 'Need To Know' and 'Islands' are definite highlights.

About the forthcoming project, Pepper says, “I grew up in this area of Dublin and my parents still live around the corner from the castle. So I have a strong connection to the castle and the area. I would pass it 3 or 4 times a day growing up so filming a performance here has been really special."

"It has been a constant landmark for me. Not always noticed but always there. I still pass it a few times each week and now it has a new and special meaning for me," Pepper continues. "We had so many fault starts with the recording and delays but you forget all the hardships when you start to play and you see the final results."

Classically trained on piano and trombone, BK Pepper’s musical projects include composing for film and theatre as well as touring with both orchestras and rock bands. After many years performing and releasing collaboratively, BK finally released his own collection of songs in 2020.

"We haven't had the opportunity to perform the album live at all since its release. When you record something and release it, it's time stamped, no going back to change it. Music is a living thing that develops and changes when you perform it. So it was great to record live versions in beautiful surroundings and acoustics. We had access to the whole castle so filmed in different rooms for different tracks and this all added to the dynamic of the performance. The castle's squeaky floor also makes an appearance which adds to it too.”

The Dublin-based composer recorded debut album Territories in a number of locations, from Abbey Road to a converted swimming pool and the hard graft paid off with critical and commercial acclaim.

"There is a compassion in Pepper’s music that emanates from each note, with even the more elaborate electronic sounds and string additions never threatening to overpower the overall track," Hot Press wrote of Territories upon its release. "Layer upon layer of atmosphere bleeds across this stunning album, but Pepper allows the audience to insert their own emotions into each song. The impact of the composer’s knack for understanding the music in cinema creates a collection of tracks that would elevate any film into another realm when used at the right moment."

B.K. Pepper's full EP will be released on Friday, July 16th. Pre-save From An Empty Castle on Bandcamp here.

Watch the full live performance of the 4-track EP below: