There are times when the only way to initially describe something is through the use of free association, as many a performing wine taster will probably testify.
Old Colours make the kind of music that could be seen as being of such a descriptive vintage, which can only be a good thing, because if they are creating feelings through association, as a by product of their creative output and craft, then they must surely be getting it a hundred percent right-shouldn't they?
Thus, to put no finer point on it, Old Colours sound like the joy of chasing a rapidly deflating balloon, around a large room, when you're a kid; of smiling at old memories, as you run your fingers over dusty note books; they're a steaming hot, sugery cup of tea, drunk with a hearty slice of orange, apricot and brandy sponge, while it pelts it with rain outside, and you lounge in a big leather chair, engrossed in a good book; or opening an ornate looking box, and being suddenly taken aghast by a plume of gently escaping butterflies.
At this moment in time, the company of Zoe Mead, Daniel June, Jamie Warren and Loic Wall, have been trading under the name of Old Colours since 2011, but have been making music together for many years, a factor most evident in the quirky intricacies that can be heard in their songs, pointing towards a gang who have not only individually honed their respective crafts, but have come to fully understand how each fellow musician works to bring their essence to the whole, rendering songs that sound like they came together intuitively, and organically, rather than through anything close to contrivance.
They are a band who assault the senses, in a very filmic way; with a nod towards that sort of driving folk music that is de rigeur, in certain circles, these days, and with an aural aesthetic not too dissimilar to (recent 'Dead Oceans' signing) Night Beds.
Notable song Giants is four minutes twenty nine seconds of profuse loveliness, backed by almost tribal sounding drums, sometimes chugging along in the background, like a steam train running over sleepers; occasionally dropping out to rhythmic drum rim taps, and markable floor tom interjections- or disappearing altogether-accompanied by floaty lullaby xylophone notes, all of which amble playfully around carefully poised guitar sketches, and non menacing, barely there shadowy 'vibes', which converse with one note keyboard reflections and minimal bass lilts; reminiscent of aspects of the work of Brian Eno, notably his collaboration with early nineties shoe gazing band 'Slowdive', but also like listening to the voices of nature, through an open window at night, while you're in that comfy place a stones throw from sleep. This heady cocktail lovingly underpins , and punctuates, a clear, sweet, but angsty,female vocal (curtesy of Mead), and is reminiscent of a female Nick Drake with light traces of Joanna Newsom.
There's not a stick of bubble gum in sight, from this clan-though their sound could be described as being poppy, and also extremely radio friendly, though one could argue that, although positive for their career, it would be a shame to dilute the magic of their songs by over exposure. Everyone knows what that is like; fall head over heels for a tune, that is played on heavy rotation-and, after a while, the fairy dust can wear off.
There are definite parallels to Stevie Nicks era Fleetwood Mac in The Morning After - a rolling, breezy little number, with a roly poly, 'pa pum pa pum pum' bass line (that could be on the whistling set list of milk men across the land), hatched abreast 'swing-your- hips' drums and guitar shapes that Zoe Mead's (wordy) vocals take pasture within.
Since their inception, Old Colours have been far from lazy, performing at a host of festivals, across the kingdom, including 2000 Trees Festival, OneFest and Fieldview, as well as doing a number of gigs, supporting well known illuminates,including Turin Breaks, and being tipped by BBC Introducing as the band to watch for 2012!
Snuggling in a warm blanket,with a hot drink, a pack of menthol cigarettes - and the wind blowing a tempest outside; one laments that there are a million and one places where the band could be, this time next year-both in terms of their music, and their career.
After making a three track EP, and working with notable producer, Jim Sclavunos ( Primal Scream, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Sonic Youth, The Horrors), what is next? Hopefully, a full blooded album-and soon!
Review by Sam Slattery
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