Monday 8 April 2013

Tonight at The Cookie Jar: Fuzzy Lights + Muted Fnord + Sarah & The Ex




Magic Teapot Presents…

Fuzzy Lights
Muted Fnord + Sarah & The Ex
Monday 8th April
Doors: 7:00pm
Entry: £5 ADV / £6 OTD

Previous praise for Fuzzy Lights’ ‘TWIN FEATHERS’ (Little Red Rabbit, 2010):

MOJO
4/5 UNDERGROUND ALBUM OF THE MONTH
“As hazily atmospheric as mist rolling across their native Cambridgeshire fenland.”

UNCUT
4/5 “Outstanding. A beguiling, brilliant second LP from the Fenlands band. Like the Dirty Three meeting Low with a hint of Sweet Billy Pilgrim. If they were American, the buzz would be huge already.”

ARTROCKER
4/5 “A rare kind of quiet dignity.”

Fuzzy Lights return with their highly anticipated third album ‘Rule of Twelfths’, their first new material since the Mojo Underground Album of the Month ‘Twin Feathers’ in 2010. Since their near-instrumental debut album of 2008, Fuzzy Lights have grown organically into a powerful and confident band weaving together elements of pastoral psych-folk and noise-rock. They now sit poised ready to reach a far wider audience with their most fully-realised and direct set of songs to date, hinting at elements of dream-pop.

‘Rule of Twelfths’ sees a number of positive changes in the music of Fuzzy Lights. Most noticeable is that violinist/pianist Rachel Watkins takes lead vocals on most songs, including lead off single ‘Summer’s Tide’. The contrast between her delicate, melodious voice and soaring violin work is a huge strength. The lyrical imagery speaks of distance and closeness, but there are also hints at the intimacy of new life. Images of “skin”, “veins” and “breath” all fall from these songs.

Noise and crescendo has been another element of Fuzzy Lights’ sound to change this time around. In contrast to the previous two albums, the emphasis now is on the short, sharp shock – witness the thrilling fuzz-guitar solo that erupts at the end of ‘The Hour’, or the way ‘Restless’ twists around itself with sudden changes in direction. Several songs also feature string arrangements by Watkins, courtesy of the Iskra quartet, also heard on new albums by The xx and Jóhann Jóhansson. They add a layer of bucolic beauty to songs like ‘Second Skin’, perhaps recalling ‘Bryter Layter’-period Nick Drake.

‘Rule of Twelfths’ is a stunningly well realised album from a very special band who, on their third release, have reached that rare point where all influences are absorbed and what emerges is a coherent, unique statement that reflects only themselves…

Muted Fnord

‘… the soft, pleasant patterns and melodies of singer Ola Szmidt are, in parts, nothing short of scintillating.’ – Daily Dischord

‘… urgently recommended to all daydreamers or fans of Cocteau Twins, Radiohead, Slowdive or The Album Leaf.’ – Schallgrenzen (‘Noise Limits’)

Formed in 2010 and based in Leicester, England, Muted Fnord are a curious ensemble of musicians and makers of noise united by a love of hazy pop and a desire to explore the possibilities of sound. Ethereal layers of female vocals and shimmering guitar drift over crunchy electronica and driving percussion.

Glitchy, improvised soundscapes drift deceptively into carefully crafted songs. Combining bespoke visuals with a constantly evolving sonic palette, live performances are immersive, unrepeatable experiences that are being shared with a rapidly growing audience.

Muted Fnord are currently working on the full-length follow-up to their debut EP ‘SCN9A’ which was released in August 2012 and is available at www.mutedfnord.bandcamp.com

Date/Time
8 April 2013
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Price
£5 ADV / £6 OTD
Tickets/More Information
Click here

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