Laser's Edge presents the massive 2xCD Pretending 2 Run album from Detroit prog rock kings, Tiles, releasing the record worldwide today. Encompassing nearly one-hundred minutes of music produced by Terry Brown (Rush, Fates Warning), and with artwork by Hugh Syme (Iron Maiden, Rush, Dream Theater), Pretending 2 Run features guest musicians from such acts as Miles Davis, Dream Theater, Steven Wilson Band, Porcupine Tree, and more, including Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.

Last weekend, Tiles guitarist Chris Herin was able to meet up with Anderson in-person and supply him with some copies of the record.

Herin offers, "Ian has been a Tiles fan since we released our third album, Presents Of Mind. Over the years we floated the idea of him making a guest appearance and eventually the timing was right.  We sent Ian a moody atmospheric tune (Midwinter) and he wove some cool melodies in between vocal phrases; then cuts loose with his trademark flute improvising during the song's long ride out solo. I think I listened to it twenty times to make sure it really happened - what a thrill for us and what a generous gesture from an icon of progressive rock!"

Pretending 2 Run is unquestionably Tiles' most ambitious project to date. Containing just short of one hundred minutes of music, the epic sees the band pushing their musical boundaries into new dimensions, and features a remarkable collection of guest musicians, including the first recorded father-and-son collaboration with Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs, Dream Theater) and his son Max Portnoy (Next To None), the recording of which is documented in the trailer. As well as footage of Mike Stern (Miles Davis) recording his parts, other guests are also highlighted, including Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson Band), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith), Matthew Parmenter (Discipline), Mark Mikel (Pillbugs), and Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius).

Album stream:

“Weightless” lyric video:

Pretending 2 Run behind-the-scenes:

"Shelter In Place" video:

Just a month following the release of Pretending 2 Run, Tiles will take to the road in support of the record, having booked a Northeastern US run of dates with labelmates District 97 in May, with additional shows currently being booked.

Tour dates:

May
13 - Reggies - Chicago, IL
15 - Token Lounge - Detroit, MI
16 - Orion - Baltimore, MD
17 - Roxy and Duke's - Dunellen, NJ
18 - The Grape Room - Philadelphia, PA
19 - Drom - New York, NY at NYC Prog Rock Night
20 - Musica - Akron, OH