Nigel Godrich and Dhani Harrison Form New Band Dragonflies
English musicians Dhani Harrison and Nigel Godrich have officially formed a new band called Dragonflies, releasing their self-titled debut album on September 18 via Dark Horse Records/BMG. Longtime friends who first bonded in Los Angeles during the early 2000s, the pair built the project out of quick, instinctive tape-loop sessions at Harrison’s Brixton studio, capturing an earthbound space rock sound.
Pandemic Roots and Studio Revival
The trajectory of Dragonflies began during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as remote collaboration evolved into a standing invitation at Godrich’s studio.
For both artists, the timing aligned with a major personal transition. Harrison had recently returned to his native England after spending two decades based primarily in Los Angeles while fronting thenewno2 and scoring film and television projects. Godrich, meanwhile, had stepped back from touring and recording entirely.
Breaking Rules With the Lead Single ‘Slower’
Naming Godrich as the sole exception, Harrison noted that if he was ever going to work with a producer, it had to be Godrich or no one at all.
The creative process kicked off with the lead single “Slower,” a track built in a matter of hours featuring piano melodies, drum loops, and Harrison’s layered vocals. The rhythm section received a percussion-based assist from Joey Waronker, Godrich’s bandmate in Ultraísta and Atoms for Peace.
Legal Frameworks and Parallel Careers
Building a band from a friendship requires careful management of individual intellectual property, publishing rights, and contractual obligations. When high-profile artists pivot into collaborative groups, production entities routinely rely on specialized IP and Entertainment Law Practices to handle complex distribution agreements and cross-label releases with imprints like Dark Horse Records and BMG.
Sonic Architects and Visual Collaborations
Musically, the resulting self-titled record draws inspiration from diverse sonic architects. The resulting aesthetic merges organic and electronic elements, deliberately avoiding heavy psychedelic clichés.
Accompanying visuals for the lead single “Slower” feature trippy animation from RUFFMERCY, an animator known for previous collaborations with Radiohead, Beck, and IDLES.
A Fresh Vehicle in the English Countryside
For fans and industry observers tracking the convergence of electronic instrumentation, trip-hop rhythms, and classic songwriting, Dragonflies represents a unique alignment of veteran talent finding a fresh vehicle in the quiet of the English countryside.
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