Out October 31, 2026, via Savant Guarde Records , the British space-rock pioneer opens a new chapter in her remarkable musical journey, blending psychedelic soundscapes, cosmic atmospheres and progressive influences. Wanikiya Record/Promotion joins the project as international press office.
Some voices do more than define a band: they become an integral part of an entire musical universe. Bridget Wishart, the legendary vocalist of Hawkwind and the only woman to have served as the iconic British space-rock band’s lead singer, is ready to write a new chapter in her artistic history with EKOLU, her first solo album, arriving on October 31, 2026, via Savant Guarde Records, with Wanikiya Record/Promotion collaborating on the project as its international press office.
A significant release for fans of space rock, psychedelic rock and progressive music, Ekolu reunites listeners with one of the most distinctive voices associated with the British space-rock scene, presenting an artistic vision that connects the legacy of the past with a forward-looking musical approach.
A COSMIC JOURNEY BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE
Spanning nine tracks, Ekolu weaves together space rock, psychedelia and progressive influences, creating an evocative sonic journey filled with atmospheric textures, visionary imagery and otherworldly musical landscapes.
The album brings together Bridget Wishart’s unmistakable vocals, lyrics and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), the creative vision of Finnish musician and composer Santtu Laakso, mastermind behind the Astral Magic project, and the guitar work of Steve Bemand, who has toured with Hawkwind. His distinctive guitar solos add further depth, character and intensity to the album.
Emerging from a collaborative project, with Wishart and Laakso building on their previous work together on Ad Infinitum, Ekolu represents a meeting of different artistic sensibilities united by a shared passion for cosmic sounds and the expressive freedom of psychedelic music.
The result is an album that embraces its musical heritage without being confined by it. Drawing on the unmistakable spirit of classic Hawkwind while exploring new sonic and compositional possibilities, Ekolu stands as a fresh and compelling statement from an artist whose creative journey continues to evolve.
BRIDGET WISHART: A VOICE THAT HELPED SHAPE SPACE ROCK HISTORY
Bridget Wishart’s artistic journey began in the British underground scene of the late 1970s and 1980s, amid DIY bands, alternative music and festival culture. After early experiences with groups such as The Demented Stoats and the Hippy Slags, she joined Hawkwind in 1989, remaining with the band until 1991.
Her presence brought a distinctive theatrical dimension to the band’s live performances, incorporating costumes, mime, performance art and a powerful visual identity. Her vocals and artistic contributions became part of an important chapter in Hawkwind’s history, associated with landmark releases including Space Bandits (1990) and Palace Springs (1991).
With a background in fine art and sculpture, Wishart has continued to explore diverse musical territories, collaborating with Don Falcone’s space-rock collective Spirits Burning, the Astral Hawk Machine project and numerous artists working across psychedelic and experimental music.
For the past eighteen years, she has also maintained a longstanding creative partnership with psych-folk outfit Chumley Warner Brothers, further demonstrating her versatility across music, performance and artistic experimentation.
Following a particularly prolific period marked by several collaborations and releases throughout 2025 and 2026, Ekolu represents a major new milestone: the solo debut of an artist whose career spans approximately forty-five years.
AN ARTISTIC UNIVERSE THAT CELEBRATES A SPACE-ROCK PIONEER
The visual identity of Ekolu plays an essential role in expressing Bridget Wishart’s personality, imagination and artistic legacy.
The visual concepts were developed by Daniel Rozell in collaboration with Wishart herself, while the painted artwork was created by Alan Arthurs, an artist with a long-standing connection to Hawkwind, having served as a stage director for the band during the 1980s and 1990s, as well as working extensively in album-cover art and conceptual design.
The artwork transports viewers into an enigmatic world of alien landscapes, Egyptian-inspired statues, mysterious figures and unsettling encounters. At the centre of this visual narrative stands a figure bearing an eerie resemblance to Bridget herself, creating a tribute to science-fiction imagery, psychedelic culture and the history of space rock.
The artwork echoes the album’s cinematic atmosphere, transforming Ekolu into an artistic experience that brings together sound, imagination and memory.
The album was mastered by Paul Cobbold.
“EKOLU”: A NEW BEGINNING FOR A TIMELESS VOICE
For those who first discovered Bridget Wishart through Hawkwind’s Space Bandits, Ekolu offers an opportunity to reconnect with a voice deeply embedded in the history of British space rock and discover how her artistic vision has continued to develop.
For a new generation of listeners, the album is an invitation to explore the work of a musician who continues to move freely between psychedelia, experimentation and progressive music.
Rather than simply revisiting the past, Ekolu celebrates a pioneering artist while reaffirming her place in the contemporary musical landscape.
“Ekolu” will be released on October 31, 2026, via Savant Guarde Records, initially available as a premium jewel-case CD. A highly anticipated limited vinyl edition is scheduled to follow.
The singles One by One and the latest release No Shadow offer an early glimpse into the album’s distinctive sonic universe.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Bridget Wishart
Album: Ekolu
Release date: October 31, 2026
Label: Savant Guarde Records
International press office: Wanikiya Record/Promotion, in collaboration with Savant Guarde Records
Mastering: Paul Cobbold
Artwork: Alan Arthurs, based on visual concepts by Daniel Rozell and Bridget Wishart
SAVANT GUARDE RECORD: https://www.savantguarderecords.com/
Savant Guarde Record Bandcamp: https://savantguarderecordsusa.bandcamp.com/
