

“Hold that thought/ Hold that note/ We all need something beautiful” Symphonic Pictures 

Some bands simply sound like they were destined to play together. Newcastle’s Symphonic Pictures is one such band. It's still only January but 2013 is already shaping up to be a year of timeless releases, and it's in this vein that their self-titled debut has been shaped. Gloriously assured in its melodicism and structure, they arrive fully formed and punching way above their weight. 

What makes this EP even more impressive, is knowing that the band not only wrote, arranged, recorded and produced it by themselves last year, but they did so on a limited budget and cadging a free studio to record basic drum tracks, while finishing the rest in their collective homes. The forthcoming Cottage Industries label EP brings together wildly layered, expansive arrangements and flawless compositions that skilfully mesh guitars, strings, synths, dreamy interconnecting vocals and brass into a comprehensive whole.

Inspired by a Roxy Music show in their home town and brought together through a shared love of Serge Gainsbourg, Jean-Claude Vannier and Prefab Sprout’s seminal album Steve McQueen, Symphonic Pictures is the work of college friends Ed Smith (drums), Dale Knight (vocals/keys), Ray Wright (bass) and Johnny Bond (vocals/guitar) and classically trained Parisian saxophonist Nahema Adele. Drawing together a wide range of influences from 60s psychedelia-swirl and 70s krautrock to 80s new wave, and topped off with the soaring dynamics of a late 90s Dave Fridmann production. This four-track release ultimately reflects the band's admiration for the dyed-in-the wool beauty of a well-crafted pop song.

Taken from Bobby Callender's Rainbow featured track, the five-piece's name was designed to reflect their desire to cover more creative ground than just the music they were making, bringing visuals to some of their early shows. Having supported the likes of Toy and Moon Duo recently, Symphonic Pictures head to London on 5 February for a White Heat show at Madame Jojo’s. More live dates will be announced soon.

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