In the evocative realm of sound, few rival the dynamism of The Totem Spirit Animals. These trailblazers aren't just another musical duo; they are a testament to tenacity and collaboration. From the coastal shores of Fremantle, Western Australia, emerge Eddie Bouchard and Nic D'Adamo. Sonic alchemists whose diverse musical lineage meld into an unparalleled soundscape.  A soundscape that straddles the spheres of Alt-Pop and Electro Rock, setting them apart from their contemporaries.

Eddie's musical odyssey began in childhood, entranced by the crackle of his father's Beatles records, As the years passed, he was drawn to the fiery realms of thrash, captivated by titans like Slayer, Sepultura and Metallica, before being lured by the rebellious spirit of punk bands like Pennywise and The Offspring. However, it was the shadowy embrace of Black Sabbath combined with the desert-infused riffs of Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age, and frenzied energy of At the Drive In that anchored his musical soul. The disbanding of his rock group, El Horizonte, marked a transformative phase for Eddie. Liberated from the confines of guitar-heavy music, he ventured beyond familiar terrain, wandering into mysterious alleys echoing with the likes of Tom Waits and Nick Drake onto the gritty streets of Hip Hop, where he was captivated by its bombastic beats and lyrical prowess. He also began to explore mainstream pop just to deepen his understanding of music and song writing. Soon, the pulsating and glitchy nexus of Electronica beckoned. He found inspiration in both the mainstream bangers of Daft Punk and Justice, EDM giants Deadmau5 and Calvin Harris, to underground luminaries like Trentemøller and Oliver Koletzki. Today, Eddie's musical voyage, rich and expansive, culminates today in meticulous production, compelling guitar riffs and chameleonic vocals that not only bend genres but also infuse a unique depth and palpable richness to their sound.

In parallel, from his earliest school days, Nic's undeniable passion for music emerged. Memories of harmonizing to The Beach Boys' tunes with his best friend are etched in his memory.  As he traversed through his formative adolescent years, the sonic waves of the '90s enveloped him. He was captivated by the raw emotion of grunge icons like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the psychedelic fuzziness of the Smashing Pumpkins, and the electrifying industrial overtones of Nine Inch Nails. As he matured, Nic's musical horizons expanded to include the alternative melodies of bands like Wilco and Gorillaz, the avant-garde genius of Radiohead and Bonobo, and the prog-rock cult that is Tool. Classic rock also summoned him back, with the Doors holding a particular nostalgic charm.  During a sojourn in the UK, his sonic palette expanded, punctuated by the electro pulse of Pendulum, Infected Mushroom, Skrillex and Finger Lickin' breaks. Today, the culmination of Nic's diverse musical experiences is evident in his artistry. His creations are a melodic tapestry - delay-soaked and jangly guitar licks blend seamlessly with quirky synths, lively breakbeats, and eclectic percussion rhythms. It’s this rich combination that breathes new life and distinctiveness into the duo's iconic sound.

Their shared history can be traced back to a suburban supermarket in Perth, Western Australia. It was here that casual conversations transitioned into profound musical discourses, setting the foundation of their partnership. Fate briefly took them on different international journeys, but serendipity reunited them years later in a Perth recording studio. In an unexpected turn of events, Eddie and Nic were recording back to back sessions with their previous bands at Studio Couch - Eddie with "Rogues on the Sea" and Nic with "Ghost Chorus" - and sensing the hand of fate, they caught up for a drink and decided to join their creative spirits, giving life to The Totem Spirit Animals.

The creation of their debut album, "The Way We Feel!", is not just a testament to their dedication and craftsmanship but also a poignant reflection of their musical heritage and the greats that came before them. As if destiny wove its own tune, the album found its final touches at the legendary Abbey Road, mastered by the adept Geoff Pesche on the same EMI console once graced by the Beatles. This monumental connection was more than just symbolic; it was a full-circle moment in Eddie and Nic's musical pilgrimage. While they penned each song, they also took the reins and embraced the roles of engineers and producers for the first time. From improvised home studios to a majestic mountaintop cabin in Balingup, every location contributed to the album's essence. And even as the world faced the turmoil of a pandemic, they adapted, leveraging teleconferencing to keep the creative flames alight.

In the vast universe of sound, Eddie and Nic have ventured from casual conversations in a supermarket to a self-produced debut album; a Magnum Opus epitomized by passion, fate and the relentless pursuit of their art. Together they are "The Totem Spirit Animals".

Never The Saint is the musical union of former UK Kerrang Prize Winner Mark Verney and the multi-instrumental vocal and songwriting talent of his partner Mila.

 

Hailing from St Petersburg, and having made a tough pilgrimage to London to pursue music, Mila embues every song with a fascinating collision of cultures and styles, both Classical and Contemporary. Mark’s own background in the acclaimed rock band Slaves To Gravity ensures that together they create a sound, which threatens to push Alternative Rock into a new and ambitious territory, via a wall of exquisitely crafted guitar music.

 

After meeting in London in early 2013, both were at a cross-roads, musically, but quickly developed a writing partnership which inspired each to push the envelope artistically.

 

The result is a sonic tidal wave, which draws from such disperate elements as Nine Inch Nails and PJ Harvey, through to Smashing Pumpkins and Amplifier. Furthermore this colossal delivery is both beautifully sculptured and intricately layered into a heady rush of truly transcendent soundscapes.

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