Golden Fable #6 - Breathe In

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After announcing both a new EP and album for the final quarter of 2014 it's natural to be expecting a bevvy of Golden Fable goodies to be heading our way shortly and sure enough, quickly following the dramatic "Armour" is "Breathe In", the title track of the aforementioned EP and second track to be heard from the trio's forthcoming album Ancient Blue.

The track continues to favour a stronger, guitar-led sound that shifts the bands focus from dreamy, fragile electro-pop to harder, dynamic alt-rock, of course, Rebecca's vocals remain as unmistakably pure and enchanting throughout, carrying you away with beautiful thoughts amongst surging instrumentation, it's the most urgent we've head Golden Fable yet.

Breathe In (and Ancient Blue) can be pre-ordered via Bandcamp. There's a London show (amongst others sure to be announced) already on sale, Tuesday November 25th at Madame JoJo's - Tickets.

Golden Fable #5 - Armour

Facebook / http://goldenfable.com/

Monday morning got off to the best possible start with the very welcome (and long-awaited) return of Golden Fable, now a trio, the North Wales based act have made September their own by announcing not just a new album, their second, but a preceding EP all in one go...

For now we've got "Armour" to sink our teeth into, the first taster of the new album, entitled Ancient Blue and due for release on November 10th, the track gives a hint into an exciting progression, a dynamic and exhilarating rush of bold instrumentation and Rebecca's ever faultless vocal. The jagged guitar patterns and heavy drum beat that runs throughout sees Golden Fable capture their live sound on record for the first time, a collision of haunting and cinematic soundscapes with a dramatic, post-rock edge. It's an impressive, breathless return.

The aforementioned Breathe In EP comes with little information (as yet) other than it contains three additional tracks and is released two weeks earlier than the album on October 27th. Ancient Blue and Breathe In can be pre-ordered now via Bandcamp - I've already done so.

End of the Road Festival 2013 - Saturday Review

I actually have a decent night sleep and Saturday soon arrives, the kids are nice enough to lie-in until almost eight o'clock and it's already pretty warm. Shorts are definitely the order of the day and we had for breakfast on the double decker bus - the queue is long but the bacon sandwich and coffee soon make up for it.

We head for the craft area again and my five year old has the time of her life first decorating a record with paint, then colouring in on a massive colouring board and then after she spends a full hour and a half making a Bobby Dazzler doll - all free of charge.

I take the little one for a walk around the woods and have another coffee sitting under a tree - there's all sorts of installations and things hidden in trees to discover (a picture below a homage to Scooby Doo perhaps) as well as peacocks roaming around freely - a perfect chilled out morning is had.

At half one we head for music, it's nice when a band are clearly enjoying themselves and that's obviously the case with Laish a Brighton quintet I'd not seen since The Great Escape in 2012.

Their sound is hard to pigeonhole, it's more than your standard folk-rock band - sparked with life, booming percussion, string flourishes, wry lyrics and the delicious backing harmonies of Emma Gatrill (who I've featured here a few times) and Martha Rose all combine with impeccable ease.

Daniel Green drives it all forward with a voice that rises in fall in accordance with the instrumentation, from soft and gentle to soaring peaks. The audience is well sized and the people next to me rush to the stage after the show to take Daniel up on his offer of a free hug.

We stop for lunch, a game of Pucket (a board of which we later buy and now finds itself sitting on my table) and a drink. After an easy hour we head to the Garden Stage in full sunshine to see Angel Olsen. I had listened to her briefly beforehand and was expecting a stunning voice and heart-breaking songs and that we were, but her hour long set was much better than that.

Absolutely sublime from start to end, as beguiling vocal and intimate performance as you could hope to witness, Angel in complete control throughout, her guitar plucking combines modern contemporary folk with a timeless singer-songwriter sound that could have been written some sixty years ago. In this weather as Angel fights with a full sun in her view her sad, forlorn songs could easily find new meaning, either way it's hypnotic and devastatingly beautiful. The silence from the crowd confirms they're hooked to her every word too.

We take another mini break before the busiest two hours of the day. It's unfortunate that four acts I really wanted to see (all four featured in my pre-festival picks) clash heavily. I decide to catch some, if not all, of all four so we make our way to the Tipi Tent for Golden Fable.

The sound and environment is perfect for them and they sparkle with precise beats puncturing their soaring melodies, it's both expansive and enchanting with Rebecca's beautiful vocals casting a potent spell over the crowd. Five songs in when I decide it's time to head to the main stage I'm completely torn. Thankfully the decision is made easier as I'm seeing the band again in just a couple of weeks and so I head to the main stage for Warpaint, one of the weekends main attractions.

Things aren't quite right from the outset, the start is slightly delayed with technical hiccups, it unfortunately sets the tone for the gig. Muddy sound and perhaps the bands slight rustiness mean the guitar textures and harmonies don't really click until three of four songs in with "Undertow". There are four new tracks in the set, a couple introduce an electronic sound, one very 80's and I'll definitely need to hear them again. I love this band and have seen them a dozen times already but I struggle to really connect with this performance. As Emily takes up a solo finale of "Baby" I return to the Tipi Tent and discover the rather brilliant Freedom lager, it goes down far too easily. (One niggling complaint I'll mention now was the queues for the real ale tent - I think the demand was underestimated).

I'm here for Anna Von Hausswolff and I regret missing the first fifteen minutes of her set, it soon become the highlight of the weekend (along side David Byrne & St Vincent), as compelling and breathtaking as anything I've seen in a long while.

The quintet of musicians form a semi circle around the stage with Anna on one side hunched aside her organ. "Mountains Crave" utterly transfixes before the rest of the set manages to somehow raise the intensity even more so. Striking vocals and shimmering, searing instrumentation from her wonderful band (especially the drummer) make for a vast and dramatic sound that makes the audience react like very few I've witnessed during a festival set - completely hypnotised by its spellbinding brilliance there's no sound at all until the conclusion when Anna receives a huge applause, I don't think anyone was ready for it to end.

I head to the Garden Stage next for Daughter, I only manage to catch the last five songs and it's incredible to see quite how much Daughter have grown. The announcement of "Youth" is met with teenage squeals normally reserved for the likes of Take That, Elena' smiles at it too. What I hear is as emotional and haunting as I've become accustomed to. There's a massive crowd too, everyone grabs onto the warm and beauty the band deliver with such effortless ease.

Afterwards I return to the Tipi for more beer and check out Sigur Ros. I decide it's not really for me, take a little wander and then decide I'm old and as I know the kids will me waking me up early I head back to the tent - an early conclusion perhaps but another overwhelmingly satisfactory day ends.

End of the Road 2013 - Festival Preview Part One

http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/

I've been a little bit slack with Festivals this year (granted my failures with Glastonbury was out of my control) but aside from The Great Escape and a couple of one day festivals (one of them this weekend in Portsmouth where I'll be seeing The Joy Formidable and Charlotte Church) I've not actually done a 'proper' festival until now. End of the Road was one of the highlights of this year and I think this one may be even better. In my opinion it is the line-up of the summer, add in a relaxed atmosphere and loads of real ale tents and what more could you possibly want - yes sun (fingers crossed on that one).

The next two posts will see me pick a dozen acts to check out over the weekend which is now just a week away. I certainly plan on doing so. You'll see which I actually do and what else I get up to (well not everything) in my post weekend review. Anyway, straight onto it:

Daughter - Facebook
Garden Stage - Saturday

Not the most unique of starts I know but an essential act to see at the festival this year is Daughter. Her album If You Leave is a sure-fire inclusion in my 'favourite albums of the year' lists and is surely, if there is any justice, up for consideration for many other peoples too - a heart-wrenching, beguiling, emotive, bedazzling experience from start to finish - live they manage to hit places long though lost with their potent combination of glacial guitar textures and beautifully intimate vocals. Unmissable.

Warpaint - Facebook
Woods Stage - Saturday

Whilst I'm on blindingly obvious choices lets throw another in, a UK festival exclusive sees Warpaint hit these shores for the first time in 2013. A set that is sure to include a few new tracks amongst their spellbinding existing material, we've not been treated to any of the new stuff yet (given a UK tour set for October I'm certainly expecting to hear something soon) but given the history of this LA quartet, I've no worries about it being a perfect continuation of their delicious harmonies and beautifully textured rhythms.

Golden Fable - Facebook
Tipi Tent Stage - Saturday

I finally got to see Golden Fable at The Great Escape and was blown away metaphorically and almost literally too. I was pretty close to a speaker stack and their live sound is a lot bigger than I previously anticipating, combining the majestic vocals of Rebecca Palin's with Tim McIver's instrumentation and some extraordinary drums - the band are currently busy recording their second album and I'm sure we'll be treated to a few new songs next week.

Come see them and be blown away.

Anna Von Hausswolff - Facebook
Tipi Tent Stage - Saturday

An altogether new act for me discovered by delving into the line-up, Anna Von Hausswolff released her second album Ceremony in June, a captivating, uncompromising vision of darkness and the morose.

"Deathbed" takes four minutes to introduce Anna's typically haunting vocals, starting with a creeping organ which can be quite frightening whilst "Mountains Crave" is about as accessible as it gets, a cinematic melody and beautiful soaring vocal delivery. The record ebbs and flows throughout (from "Red Sun's" brooding power to "Liturgy of Light's" soft guitar textures).

Perhaps an even more challenging than Soap&Skin - I think it promises to be a quite extraordinary performance.

Allo Darlin' - Facebook
Woods Stage - Friday

Indie pop darlings (sorry) Allo Darlin' are sure to bring summer to Larmer Tree Gardens no matter what the weather is as Friday draws to a close.

I recently saw the quartet at The Buffalo Bar and caught a wonderful set with highlights from last years Europe, their debut and a helping of new tracks too. Expect to see dancing and singing along. Fun times a guarantee.

Widowspeak - Facebook
Big Top Stage - Sunday (to be confirmed - Widowspeak's website suggests Friday)

I think the band are on a duo tour so this Widowspeak show might be a little different to the one I recently saw at Cargo, what is guaranteed though is the irresistible vocal purr of Molly Hamilton and spidery guitar patterns that will temporarily transfer the audience to a hazy, American west. Widowspeak are a wonderful live band who are not to be missed.

The Great Escape 2013 - Friday Review

Straight on with day two of The Great Escape and Friday starts with a period of stewing around the lanes drinking excessive coffee and then running to Hove and back to wash away a few of yesterdays ales. Kill or cure, that's the motto with running.

A shower later (you'll be glad to know) and I'm at Above Audio awaiting Embers. The quartet come quintet (with the addition of Sophie from PINS on violin) are crammed onto the tiny stage and soon they are producing the sort of mind-blowing landscapes which their tracks so far had indicated. It's loud, very fucking loud and knowing nods of approval to friends in between their wonderful tracks indicate that's also immense. Still new to the live arena as Embers, there are no signs of mishaps as wave after wave of expansive, shimmering noise and punctured drums combine with three way vocals and sharp violins. When/if Embers return to next years festival, it'll be somewhere more bigger than this. The fact that they come across as genuinely nice people only increases the already high affection I hold towards this band.

Next to the aptly titled venue Smack, a venue that hosted some not-so-secret 'secret shows' during the weekend, Friday's hottest lunchtime ticket (free) was for Wolf Alice, luckily I'm early and after a long, name-checking off a list queue I'm near the front (the show was rammed and the stage elevation tiny - I can't imagine those near the back could see much) in time for the start of the set.

The band have been much hyped in the blog community over the past six months and the show delivers on the louder, grunge-pop front from fuzzy guitar driven opener "Fluffy" to closing track, their latest single, "Bros". Ellie's voice isn't quite allowed to shine and the softer earlier beginnings of the band are displaced for a loud, very 90's sound - it works well in the surroundings of a sleazy looking club and the reception they receive is suitable of the 'buzz' heading their way.

I stick around because next up are Findlay, I’d heard good things about the North West artist from a number of friends, I can see why they are hooked, the show engages from the beginning with a feisty, spunky set of fast-tempo rock & roll songs with beasty riffs led by a front-woman who commands your attention.

After a walk through the lanes I slow things down next in the Fountain Head to see Anna Lena & The Orchids playing a stripped down set, a new track sits perfectly amongst those from her wonderful debut EP and it sounds almost perfect. Anna's beautiful vocals combine with subtle electric guitar and backing harmonies from an artist I’d see later in the weekend, Farao. It’s Norway day too and there are a few flags are flying high and so they should.

I head to the courtyard next to try and see another Norwegian Susanne Sundfør but it’s impossible to get near it and instead I decide to have a couple of hours of wandering around Brighton and food.

The evening session starts with one of the acts I’ve been most looking forward to all weekend Golden Fable. The venue is a dimly lit basement (as so many are in Brighton) and I wasn’t anticipating it to suit the bands graceful beauty but I’m more than pleasantly surprised that with the addition of an excellent (really excellent) live drummer the band merge their choral wonder with a fuller, heavier sound and I’m instantly blown away. The set continues to astound and is met with a great reception by a vast crowd – as glowing an endorsement as any.

I head promptly to the Fountain Head to see Emma Gatrill, last year her show at the Fishbowl was one of my weekend highlights and I was hopeful for more. Those hopes were soon dashed when I walked through the door at the venue – which was still operating as a pub with a hired PA by the fireplace – there was your typical Friday night mixture of drunks and belligerents in attendance whom seemed oblivious to the attempts of Emma to quieten them even a little, her delicate harp melodies and beguiling vocals are all but lost amongst this setting and it’s a devastating shame. Thankfully the funnier side of the situation is made by most.

I head around the corner to The Basement where Bird are due to play. Unfortunately there’s another problem completely out of the bands hands. The organisers decided (for whatever reason I cannot say) to change the running times of this show three times (and later send a message out recommending the show some four hours after Bird had played) and it seems word has not got out about the reschedule of the gig, the attendance is far less than they deserve. Thankfully they don’t let the sparse splattering of punters put them off and Bird deliver a fantastic set of almost entirely new songs which bodes extremely well for their future, entwining harmonies and haunting, brilliant melodies, yet again Bird confirm themselves as one of my favourite new bands.

 As perverse as it sounds I head back to the Fountain Head next for The Mariner's Children, another act I’d seen at last years festival in slightly better conditions. The hope was the drunks had moved on by now. Naturally they hadn’t and there is a little delay before the band take to the ‘stage’. The number of people watching the gig out numbers those not by now and it’s a real shame that the chatter of those dis-interested folk rises above the instrumentation. Amongst everything there are some beautiful harmonies and the louder songs taken from their recent EP release almost drown out the noise too. Excellent.

I grab another beer and wait for This Is The Kit. Kate and Rozi soon start and I’m close enough to almost be able to ignore the surroundings and immerse myself fully in their craft. I’m delighted than near the end of the set “Earthquake” is played as I missed Kate playing that on my previous This is the Kit gig. From the start they engage the audience (those paying attention) fully and even bring a couple of girls forward to add harmonies – they actually sound ok too – this is a band who should be household names by now, such is the depth and grace of their songs and it’s wonderful to see them in a tiny Brighton pub.

With music at the Fountain Head finished I head across the road to Blind Tiger. The Adelines are a new band to me who I discovered and blogged about prior to the weekend, their set successfully merges the melodic shimmering guitar based sounds with punchy drums and dreamy vocals best seen on their debut single “Alleyways”. An enjoyable set from a band you’ll probably hear more from here.

Last but not least for the day in the same venue is Cut Ribbons, they sound a lot tighter than last year and louder too and the venue is deservedly full as their sky-scraping guitars and power-pop rhythms merge with soft-sweet dual vocals.

By now it’s past my bedtime an evening drinking has given me 2am munchies so I regrettingly hit the seafront chip shop and head home with other waifs and strays.

Friday with a dozen full sets, almost all of a good quality and a couple of exceptional ones from bands who will be on my must see lists the next time they hit town – The Great Escape has a few uses indeed.

The Great Escape (2013) - Preview Part Two

Straight on with the second part of my Great Escape 2013 preview - if you landed on this page and want to see the first part - head here and your wish will be granted...

Golden Fable - Facebook / goldenfable.com

Friday 17th May - 19.15 - Sticky Mikes Frog Bar

A band I'm very much looking forward to breaking my live duck with are Golden Fable, the duo have been a favourite of mine since I fell smitten with their beautifully natural sound last year, the recently revamped "Crossfire" a perfect example, where the choral vocals of Rebecca Palin meet equally serene instrumentation to spine-tingling effect.

Want to start your Friday evening with a little bit of genuine class and delicate, shimmering gorgeousness? Golden Fable is the place to be.

Wall - Facebook / wall100.co.uk

Friday 17th May - 20.45 - St Mary's Church
Saturday 18th May - 14.30 - Komedia

Wall is another act I'll be seeing for the first time over the course of the weekend, their swirling, minimal soundscapes are sure to suit the acoustics of a church show and with Lyla's intimate vocals resonating crystal clear, the result is sure to be sweet, and leave you feeling all weak at the knees.

Farao - Facebook / farao.co.uk

Friday 17th May - 19.15 - St Bartholomew's Church
Saturday 18th May - 18.00 - The Metro Hub

Kari Jahnsen (aka Farao) has been pretty busy since forming her latest pseudonym at the turn of the year, with a trip to Iceland to record her debut release and a couple of European support tours under her hat already the Great Escape shows will come as a warm up to Farao's first ever headlining show in a couple of weeks time and I'm very excited to see how her overall sound has progressed since Like Spinning.

My earlier review of "Skin" described the sound as an "intricate web of luxurious, sprawling instrumentation and honey-sweet harmonies combining to majestic results" - that will do me!

Whirr - Facebook

Thursday 16th May - 18.30 - Concorde 2

A long, early walk on Thursday evening is in prospect to check out a band I've been following for a while now for the first time - I think it's there first time in the UK - Whirr (formerly Whirl) are over from San Francisco to promote their debut full-length Pipe Dreams.

Earlier single "Junebouvier" highlights their potential with a bold and powerful avalanche of guitar textures, pounding drums and girl/boy vocals. Beautiful / noisy shoegaze fans should not miss this!

Melody's Echo Chamber - Facebook / melodysechochamber.tv/

Thursday 16th May - 23.15 - Corn Exchange

Arguably the 'biggest' act I plan on seeing over the entire weekend and the biggest venue too, Melody's Echo Chamber have amassed a small army of fans since the hazy seduction of "I Follow You" was released last year, part dream-pop combines with part wide-eyed psychedelia to sumptuous effect. Laid-back, Cinematic and beautiful.

Experience tells me The Corn Exchange can get busy for the late night show, Warpaint was a complete no-go area last year - if you want to see this one, plan ahead.

Curxes - Facebook / curxes.com

Thursday 16th May - 18.55 - The Mesmerist (Alt Escape)
Thursday 16th May - 20.50 - The Black Dove (Alt Escape)

Last but by no means least on this little preview of bands are Curxes, the part Brightonian duo are back at The Great Escape for the second year running and with any luck the earlier set-time of this years show(s) will mean they have an audience more capable of enjoying their music rather than crashing into Roberta's keys like at last years show. A stage would help too.

Their dramatic, brilliant songs have been featured here on numerous occasions and I won't repeat myself again, just say this, come and fucking see them - you won't regret it.

Golden Fable #4 - Crossfire

Facebook / http://www.goldenfable.com/

Golden Fable return with an alternative version of "Crossfire" from last years wonderful Star Map LP, a record that was one of my 2012 albums of the year - I highly recommend you to get the special edition from their Bandcamp too - it comes with some to die for acoustic version and a rather snazzy poster edition all put together by the band themselves.

Speaking of to die for, this updated version of "Crossfire" is absolutely gorgeous, the very definition of calm and serenity it fits somewhere in between the two versions of the track I already knew. The album version combines spluttering drum machine ticks and synths whereas the the acoustic version twinkles with slow-motion keys, Rebecca's uniquely choral tones and little else. Now we've the best of the two with the added pitter-patter of soft drums resulting in something that will send beautiful chills right through your body.

A band already know for its genuine, ethereal grace comes up trumps yet again - bloody lovely this is! "Crossfire" is released on June 3rd backed with a pair of remixes - available from Bandcamp.

Just Music That I Like's Favourite Albums of the Year 2013 - Part Three

Just Music That I Like's Favourite Albums of the Year 2013 - Part Three

Previously posted: Part One // Two // Three // Four // Five

15. Golden Fable - Star Map

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An album which has criminally managed to stay off many peoples radar this year, perhaps due to the self-released nature of the album, still with support slots alongside Field Music and Wave Machines to come next year word is slowly getting out there about this wonderful duo.

Star Map is genuinely the most beautiful album on this list, the understated ethereal grace which carries the album throughout is one to truly immerse yourself in, a real natural beauty, "Always Golden" perfectly highlights Rebecca Palin's unique, haunting vocal, it's at the forefront throughout with the shimmering electronic beats and delicate key strokes

"Crossfire" is another likely to bring goosebumps to many, for those easily turned on, Star Map should carry a warning sticker, such an effecting beauty, spread the word.

14. Rachel Sermanni - Under Mountains

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With her captivating presence and exceptional song craft, in my humble opinion, Rachel Sermanni is one of the few who stands out above the current crowd of singer/songwriters, after a couple of EP's highlighting her talent I was delighted that her debut full-length Under Mountains fulfilled all my hearts desires and more.

"Waltz" slowly introduces a full band to accompany Rachel's guitar and sweet vocal tones, the combination creates intoxicating arrangements and strong melodies that stands true for much of Under Mountains. The command and attention to detail throughout the album is exceptional, Rachel in complete control of the flowing vocals and her depth of prose belie her youth.

The dark defiance of "The Fog" and the gorgeous, soothing tones of "Sleep" are all personal favourites too, offering a dozen finely crafted tracks in which Rachel's mesmerising voice resonates above genteel instrumentation and stirring full band sections, Under Mountains is bathed in heartfelt emotion and stunning harmonies, one of the years finest, of that there is no doubt..

13. I Like Trains - The Shallows

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By now you think you know what you are getting with I Like Trains, or at least you thought you did. The Leeds based post-rock band have changed things up with their latest album The Shallows, the predominant mood of their previous releases was, shall we say, glum, slow burning, emotive soundscapes with little room for light or hope, sure there were moments in their last "He Who Saw The Deep" where all was not grey but nothing quite like moments on The Shallows...

For how do you say it, "Mnemosyne" sees I Like Trains go disco, not a word that we've come to associate with them but "Mnemosyne" is most definitely funky. Sparse synth lines combine with a bass-line Hot Space era Queen would have been proud of, don't let it scare you off, the signature I Like Trains dynamic is similarly evident, at at their brooding best on "Reykjavik" with Dave Martin's impeccable baritone vocals, shimmering guitars and Simon Fogal's commanding drums and reflective on "Water/Sand" which finds their beautifully thought-out prose at its finest.

"Beacons" is another which glistens with twinkling synths hooks and chiming guitars, it works, I never thought it would but it does, sullen post-rock with a flamboyant electro edge,  I like it. The Shallows finds the new I Like Trains as absorbing as ever.

12. The Staves - Dead & Born & Grown

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A long time coming some may say, The Staves debut album Dead & Born & Grown is a perfect summation of the girls journey so far, with older tracks "Mexico" and "Facing West" as exquisite as ever, sitting perfectly alongside tracks from the earlier Motherlode EP and newer songs too, much will be said about the sisters rich harmonies and genteel melodies (with good reason), which slowly and luxuriously linger in your brain like a Sunday afternoon with a glass of fine malt whisky.

Highlights are throughout, the a cappella "Wise and slowly" is hymnal perfection, the tender "Pay Us No Mind", like so much of the album, is just beautiful while "Tongue Behind My Teeth" sees the sister take some Americana influences with a kick-drum beat propelling jangling guitar and dusty melodies which sweep and stomp like the outlaw video that accompanies the track. The Staves blend their heavenly harmonies together as well as any I've previously heard and Dead & Born & Grown is the perfect for the winter months, completely irresistible, don't miss out.

11. Echo Lake - Wild Peace

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[Previously posted on my Tips of 2012: One Year On post]

Echo Lake have had a year of ups and downs, the tragic news of the death of their drummer Pete Hayes overshadowed everything else but the subsequent empowerment of the band, including fundraisers and emotional tributes only highlighted the togetherness and closeness of the group who earlier in the year released their delightful debut full length Wild Peace. As beautiful a listen as any album this year, Wild Peace seamlessly fizzes with immersive, shimmering bliss.

Track after track of intoxicating, beyond-luscious melodies in which we find Linda Jarvis' reverberating vocals floating around, highlights are aplenty, from the re-imagining of earlier single "Another Day", the only pure pop tune on display with chiming chords to the rockier "Young Silence" and swirling "In Dreams" (both again reworked from their 2011 EP appearances, starting with a soft tapestry of sounds before rising in intensity to an explosive finale while the gorgeous "Swimmers" is the hazy, dreamy come-down. Though that's a paragraph that fails to mention the closing track "Just Kids", a seven minute course on how to generate the perfect atmospheric of slowly building wonder or the title track, equally worthy of praise.

Amongst the reasons for my support of the band over the last year is the beautiful, progressive arrangements of their tracks, "Even the Blind" is like a journey in itself, from its dreamy, luxurious outset where Linda's beautiful ethereal coo's, chiming guitars and a metronomic beat purposely lead towards its foot-stomping tempo switch, the drumbeat sees the main shift in intensity in the songs second quarter, hard-hitting and stadium sized they suddenly drop leaving the shimmering textures on a cliff-edge before the track again gathers pace and surges towards its euphoric climax. To sum up, "Even the Blind" is basically a five minute roller-coaster that's exhilarating, soothing and absolutely wonderful, wild and peaceful, yeah I get that title.

Golden Fable #3 - Blithe Spirit

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A couple more seasonal posts on there way now and I doubt you'll hear a Christmas song as beautiful as this first one from Golden Fable this year, it is to-die-for gorgeous. Rebecca Palin's angelic voice brings to mind all sorts of wonderful things no matter when you hear it and it resonates even more with festival choral thoughts at mind, this track "Blithe Spirit", is the perfect summation of the duo's subtle and effective elegance that they delivered on their stunning debut Star Map earlier this year.

Dripped in soft shimmering textures, a finger plucking acoustic guides Rebecca's graceful vocals, "Blithe Spirit" is delicate, heart-felt melancholia and is simply heavenly. Download for however much you like below...

Golden Fable #2 - Sugarloaf

Facebook / goldenfable.com/

Golden Fable have recently announced their debut full length Star Map, scheduled for release September 10th it will be available through a variety of options, perhaps most impressively a ndeluxe version (available to order straight from the band via bandcamp) which comes with an exclusive download of acoustic versions of material from the ten track LP as well as some exclusive content and a poster etc...

That extra packaging is a nice addition of course but the thing you'll get the most use of is the CD, the enchanting "Always Golden" I've already mentioned but their latest single "Sugarloaf" deserves equal praise, celestial and luminescent, cascades of lusicous instrumentation swoon around your heartstings providing a soaring backdrop for Rebecca's sumptuos vocals, heavenly.

Another track to make a re-appearance is the bands debut "The Chill Pt 2" where skittling synth beats and ethereal tones combine in what is already the signature combination for this rather lovely duo.

The album is launced with a show in Wrexham on September 8th with the band set to support Field Music in October.

Golden Fable - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / goldenfable.com/

Another long overdue post here, North Wales duo Tim McIver and Rebecca Palin might be better known to some of you as members of Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band but they came to my attention in their current guise as folk / synth-pop act Golden Fable and through the lead track from their second single, the spellbinding "Always Golden".

Golden Fable is a perfect name to describe the duo's ethereal pop, "Always Golden" flutters with a luminescent melody as Rebecca's spectral vocals give leave a gorgeous mark on the track, her angelic voice awash with melodramatic synth rhythms, soaring string arrangements and shimmering textures, a track that can be defined as nothing other than beautiful.

Its b-side "Blueprints" is similarly atmospheric and celestial, the glacial vocals are equally stunning but it's the combination of glistening soundscapes and twitching beats that steal the limelight this time around.

I'm yet to see Golden Fable live but they come to me highly recommended. The duo next play in London on May 24th at a venue I know quite well, the magnificent Old Queen' Head. A perfect combination you might say. The single 'Always Golden' can be download from bandcamp for less than a quid right now.