We have a real soft spot for this band, not least because one of the members (fiddle-playing Raven Bush) is Kate’s nephew. Fresh, accomplished, joyous music to listen to – and Syd Arthur are only getting better and better. Their recent single ‘Dorothy’ received great national radio support in the UK – including an enthusiastic endorsement from Paul Weller when he guest presented on BBC Radio 2. 11th March sees them releasing a new double-A side single Ode to Summer / Edge of the Earth. A headline UK and Ireland tour kicks off this month (see below or www.sydarthur.co.uk for dates!).
Greatly inspired by the sonic pioneers of the late 60s and early 70s, they have patiently learned how to engineer, produce and mix themselves, using an innovative hybrid of analogue and digital techniques. They seamlessly mix bucolic, retro reveries, devastating blasts of precision controlled riffing, sweeping folk, fleet-fingered mandolin work and a musical vocabulary that’s as fluently conversant with world music as it is the time signature twists of many progressive artists.
Meanwhile, their impressive new album, “On An On”, has been warmly embraced by the music press:
‘Dorothy begins with a calmative wash of heat-have guitars, then cedes to a lazy, joined at the hip groove that’s a small marvel of poise and subtlety…. Enchanting’ – MOJO
‘Dizzyingly intricate… they bristle with energy and ideas’ – Q
‘Strong compositional ideas… a careering piece’ – Uncut
‘Absurdly talented’ – Word
‘Syd Arthur are sons and heirs of those Canterbury musicians who did sometimes whimsical, sometimes intense things with psychedelic and progressive rock’ – The Guardian.co.uk
‘Staggeringly good. It will take something exceptional to beat On An On to Prog Album Of The Year’ – Classic Rock
‘Fleet-fingered folky flavours steeped in prime prog history’ – Prog
‘A unique sound that is both full and intriguing… curious and surprisingly uplifting’ – Guitar Techniques
‘Blends taut mandolin lines with fuzztone propelled jazz guitar… fresh and relevant’ – Guitarist
HEADLINE UK TOUR FEB 2013
9th – BREWERY ARTS CENTRE – KENDAL
Adv Tickets: £7.50 Doors: 8pm
http://www.breweryarts.co.uk/music/listing/syd-arthur
10th – THE MAZE – NOTTINGHAM
Adv Tickets: £6 (£4 NUS) Doors: 8pm
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/197835
11th – OPORTO – LEEDS
http://oportobar.co.uk/
12th – BAND ON THE WALL – MANCHESTER
Adv Tickets: £7.50 Doors: 7.30pm
http://bandonthewall.org/events/3720/
13th – BROADCAST – GLASGOW
Adv Tickets: £7 Doors: 8pm
http://www.pclpresents.com/shows.html
14th – ROISIN DUBH – GALWAY
http://www.roisindubh.net
15th – WHELANS – DUBLIN
Adv Tickets: €6 online, €8 on the door Doors: 7pm
http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/live/
19th – LOUISIANA – BRISTOL
Adv Tickets: £6 Doors: 8pm
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/197838
20th – SEBRIGHT ARMS – LONDON
Adv Tickets: £7 Doors: 8pm
http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/live/
21st – STICKY MIKES FROG BAR – BRIGHTON
Adv Tickets: £7 Doors: 8pm
http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/live/
Decimus
He is a spitting image of his pappy.