Skeletons & That

Houses That You Lived In

Sleep

We Ain't Going Home

Morning Song

Quiet As A Mouse

Friends With The Wolves

'Morning Song' by Family Machine

In 2008, Oxford three-piece Family Machine released their debut album 'You Are the Family Machine' via cult label Alcopop! Records to glowing reviews. The record, four years in the making, showcased exactly what makes the band so magnificent; infectious, hook-laden songs brimming with tenderness and emotion. It was a striking introduction...and then all went quiet.

Almost eight years later and the band are set to return with album number two, 'Houses That You Lived In', on August 28th 2015. 
The album, produced by longtime collaborator Ian Davenport (Philip Selway, Badly Drawn Boy, Band of Skulls), is nine tracks of pure and joyous confessional pop, calling to mind the lo-fi brilliance of Grandaddy, the melodic delicacy of Midlake and the lyrical flair of 'The Seldom Seen Kid'-era Elbow. 
Lyrically inspired by the little/big changes in life, the album manages to be both reflective and honest without ever slipping into introspective sadness. Frontman and songwriter Jamie Hyatt: "The album is simply about living and dying; it’s about the little stories that are in the big life story that we are all in the middle of. It’s about the fear, the joy and just the general feeling that everything is just as it is."

'Morning Song' is a perfect example of the bands expertly crafted songwriting and delicate delivery. From the sleepily picked guitar of the verse to the soaring, French-horn assisted awakening of the chorus, over three minutes the band create a miniature masterpiece of pastoral lo-fi folk, awash with lush harmonies and built around the gentle, mournful voice of Jamie Hyatt. 

Formed in the early 2000's, Family Machine began life as a solo bedroom project for Jamie Hyatt before expanding into a fully-fledged band in 2004. Hyatt had previously fronted legendary Oxford band The Daisies (later known as Medal), who released several well-received albums and counted the likes of Radiohead, DJ Shadow and Rick Rubin amongst their fans. 
Following years of touring, the band imploded and Hyatt, inspired by the likes of Belle & Sebastian and Ween, began recording acoustic four-track demos at home. 
During this period Hyatt also co-founded Oxford promotions company and DIY label Beard Museum. Originally a monthly club night that hosted early shows by the likes of Damien Jurado and Stornoway, BM has gone onto bring some of the world's finest to Oxford, including recent gigs by Jonny Greenwood & the London Contemporary Orchestra, Keaton Henson, Gaz Coombes and Sea of Bees. 

'Houses That You Lived In' is released on August 28th 2015 via Beard Museum Records

Family Machine support Merz in September:

St Pancras Old Church, London - Sept 21st:
https://goo.gl/Vvk0AX

The Bullingdon, Oxford - Sept 23rd:
https://goo.gl/wLVCyw

New Album 'Houses That You Lived In' out now
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/houses-that-you-lived-in/id1006694967

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