Lulu and the Lampshades release their debut EP, ‘Cold Water’, on Moshi Moshi on February 14th 2011. ‘Cold Water’ and ‘Cups’ are also to be released simultaneously on limited 7” as part of Moshi Moshi Singles Club.
Luscious harmonies, skittling percussion and intricate arrangements provide the back bone for the London-based four-piece. The tracks from their forthcoming EP were all born towards the end of 2009, but have evolved into their current incarnations reflecting the vast array of instruments the band collectively play: Luisa (vocals, ukulele, percussion), Heloise (violin, harp, vocals, percussion, bass), Jemma (bass, guitar, vocals) and Dan (drums, vocals, guitar).
The resulting EP opens with ‘Cold Water’, a track soaked in calypso rhythms, mournful brass lines, Ugandan harp (Adungu) and Luisa’s crystal clear vocals.
‘Cups’ is adapted from a routine Luisa learnt at percussion class with the chorus taken from the traditional folk song ‘You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone’ (which was recorded by The Carter Family). The verses - which Luisa wrote - were inspired by the call and response singing in spiritual/gospel songs such as the Alan Lomax collection. The stripped back simplicity of the song’s vocals and percussion is mirrored in the band’s DIY video which has become a viral hit, with over half a million You Tube hits:
[link]
With its sliding flute scales and melancholic Ennio Moricone guitar lines, ‘Demons’ shows the band’s more reflective and cinematic side, whilst EP closer, ‘Moccasin Mile’, is a more folksy number, inspired by an older song of the same name and recalling the unabashed rush of Dan Hicks and the Hot Lips.
With each member of the band bringing their own personality to the group, influences range from the contemporary - Tune Yards and Warpaint are current favourites - to older gospel music like Bessie Jones and Willis Proctor alongside Ethiopian music from the 70s.
Additionally, Luisa has recently collaborated with the like-minded musical talent Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and duetted with Idiot Glee for a Xmas BBC Radio 1 session.
Having honed their sound over the past year, live is where Lulu and the Lampshades stand out. Bringing their unusual mix of instruments and stunning harmonies to the fore, the quartet wowed crowds at Bestival this year and in 2011 and have just finished a string of UK tour dates.
Lulu and the Lampshades (Luisa, Heloise, Dan and Jemma) were joined by Isobel (flute) on ‘Demons’ and ‘Moccasin Mile’.
www.myspace.com/helouisamusic
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