When Syd Arthur emerged in 2012 with their debut, self-recorded, self produced, self released album On An On, it didn’t take long for them to rocket to critical acclaim. Hailed as natural successors to Canterbury’s famous folk-prog sound, they not only connected with fans of Caravan, Soft Machine and Gong, but with fans of contemporary artists like Tame Impala, Devendra Banhart and Wolf People. Rave reviews across Q, Mojo, Uncut and The Guardian followed. With the release of the single Dorothy in late 2012, the band had their first taste of UK radio support, scoring plays across Radio 2, 6 Music, XFM, Amazing Radio, NME Radio, Q Radio and more.
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.
The band then finished their 2012 with a sell out headline show at Communion’s club night at The Wilmington Arms, recorded a live session for Daytrotter, were invited by Qthemusic.com to write an in depth blog on world music, received a full page ‘High Hopes’ feature from Classic Rock magazine (who also included Edge of The Earth as one of their Best Tracks of 2012) and booked themselves a spot at SXSW for this coming March. On Boxing Day, Paul Weller and Bradley Wiggins presented a Radio 2 show of their favourite songs, during which Weller picked Ode To The Summer. He also talked the band up in Uncut magazine in their My Life In Music column (Dec 2012) and even invited them to support him live in Europe.
It’s live that Syd Arthur really continue to impress – their intricate, high-energy live sets, which to date include Glastonbury and Secret Garden slots, have resulted in a large following emerging – one that is also blossoming in Europe as they continue to pick up tours in France, Belgium, The Netherlands and most recently Italy. When the band hit SXSW in March, they’ll certainly be a must-see.
Headline UK Tour dates, Feb 2013 are as follows:
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/
www.sydarthur.co.uk
www.dawnchorusrecordco.com
