Leafcutter John is London-based John Burton, and this is his first release on the Staubgold label. Since his debut on Planet Mu records in 2000, Burton has developed a strong musical identity using processed instrumental and environmental recordings. The Forest and the Sea features a dynamic hybrid of electronic and acoustic songs. Telling a true story, the compositions are bound together by a meticulous narrative enriched by haunting vocals and traditional instrumentation. Both story and field recordings were constructed and gathered in various locations including Greece, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This journey reveals John's musical kaleidoscope and his consolidated approach to songwriting, field recordings and electronics. A significant development from John's earlier works, he manages to produce seamless transitions between electronics and songwriting. The end result is the creation of a new, all-encompassing genre. The list of guests includes drummer Seb Rochford and bassist Tom Herbert from Mercury Music Prize nominees Polar Bear - of which John is a full-time member. Additional vocals are provided by Leo Chadburn aka Simon Bookish, and Alice Grant.