The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack EP

PRE-ORDER 12" VINYL EP http://hopest.re/HS028VINYL

The best way to speed up a chemical reaction is to invite change and introduce an outside force: light, heat, movement. As The Cactus Channel know full well, the same goes with sound — introducing change compels a composition forward, as it rises, falls, peaks and boils. On their first release of 2017, vocalist Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music, My Own Pet Radio) is this catalyst for change, as the band collaborate with him on a full EP, introduced by lead single “Sorry Hills”.

As frenetic rhythms build only to fall away, and melodies loop, dive, and stutter, The Cactus Channel make music that both functions on and demands reaction. This collaborative EP treads a thin line between alt-soul and the best of indie pop, swimming in compelling atmospherics and deftly weaving Cromack’s rich, drawling vocal and disarming, meditative lyrics through the band’s typically intuitive arrangements. 

The Cactus Channel formed in high school, united by shared interests and a shared sense of humour — a love of soul music and the kind of hip hop, jazz, and alternative releases that spring from it, meant that from the beginning The Cactus Channel have prided themselves not just on eclecticism, but on the constant sharing of influences among their members. On this EP, the band venture into their second recorded project with a vocalist, exploring new influences and sonic territories.

Lyrically, “Sorry Hills” is heavy with a kind of guilty melancholy that belies the wordplay in its title — Cromack’s dark, introspective lyrics are accompanied by an instrumental that buzzes with a slight sense of paranoia: in the song’s instrumental bridge, the rhythm section simmers as horns let forth quiet squeals.

The band takes equal cues from hip hop instrumentals and golden era Soul — counting the sounds of  frequent hip hop collaborators BADBADNOTGOOD and the tight arrangement and production style of Stax Records as influences — as they build tracks that leave room for words to grow, breathe, and take focus, but never underestimate the power of beat and rhythm to build tension and release. 

Cromack’s voice is afforded a new palette in this project, as his vocals climb through horn arrangements and rhythm with unprecedented light and shade. 

“Sorry Hills” is out February 10th on all streaming services through HopeStreet Recordings, with the full 6-track EP out in April.

Sorry Hills

PRE-ORDER 12" VINYL EP

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - Sorry Hills

BUY 12" EP/CD http://hopest.re/sorryhills

The best way to speed up a chemical reaction is to invite change and introduce an outside force: light, heat, movement. As The Cactus Channel know full well, the same goes with sound — introducing change compels a composition forward, as it rises, falls, peaks and boils. On their first release of 2017, vocalist Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music, My Own Pet Radio) is this catalyst for change, as the band collaborate with him on a full EP, introduced by lead single “Sorry Hills”.

As frenetic rhythms build only to fall away, and melodies loop, dive, and stutter, The Cactus Channel make music that both functions on and demands reaction. This collaborative EP treads a thin line between alt- soul and the best of indie pop, swimming in compelling atmospherics and deftly weaving Cromack’s rich, drawling vocal and disarming, meditative lyrics through the band’s typically intuitive arrangements.
The Cactus Channel formed in high school, united by shared interests and a shared sense of humour — a love of soul music and the kind of hip hop, jazz, and alternative releases that spring from it, meant that from the beginning The Cactus Channel have prided themselves not just on eclecticism, but on the constant sharing of influences among their members. On this EP, the band venture into their second recorded project with a vocalist, exploring new influences and sonic territories.

Lyrically, “Do It For Nothing” is heavy with a kind of guilty melancholy that belies the wordplay in its title — Cromack’s dark, introspective lyrics are accompanied by an instrumental that buzzes with a slight sense of paranoia: in the song’s instrumental bridge, the rhythm section simmers as horns let forth quiet squeals.

The band takes equal cues from hip hop instrumentals and golden era Soul — counting the sounds of frequent hip hop collaborators BADBADNOTGOOD and the tight arrangement and production style of Stax Records as influences — as they build tracks that leave room for words to grow, breathe, and take focus, but never underestimate the power of beat and rhythm to build tension and release.

Cromack’s voice is afforded a new palette in this project, as his vocals climb through horn arrangements and rhythm with unprecedented light and shade.

Do It For Nothing

Sleep Demon

BUY 12" EP/CD

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - Sleep Demon

I'm Not Ready To Relax

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - I'm Not Ready To Relax

BUY 12" EP/CD http://hopest.re/HS028VINYL

The best way to speed up a chemical reaction is to invite change and introduce an outside force: light, heat, movement. As The Cactus Channel know full well, the same goes with sound — introducing change compels a composition forward, as it rises, falls, peaks and boils. On their first release of 2017, vocalist Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music, My Own Pet Radio) is this catalyst for change, as the band collaborate with him on a full EP, introduced by lead single “Sorry Hills”.

As frenetic rhythms build only to fall away, and melodies loop, dive, and stutter, The Cactus Channel make music that both functions on and demands reaction. This collaborative EP treads a thin line between alt- soul and the best of indie pop, swimming in compelling atmospherics and deftly weaving Cromack’s rich, drawling vocal and disarming, meditative lyrics through the band’s typically intuitive arrangements.
The Cactus Channel formed in high school, united by shared interests and a shared sense of humour — a love of soul music and the kind of hip hop, jazz, and alternative releases that spring from it, meant that from the beginning The Cactus Channel have prided themselves not just on eclecticism, but on the constant sharing of influences among their members. On this EP, the band venture into their second recorded project with a vocalist, exploring new influences and sonic territories.

Lyrically, “Do It For Nothing” is heavy with a kind of guilty melancholy that belies the wordplay in its title — Cromack’s dark, introspective lyrics are accompanied by an instrumental that buzzes with a slight sense of paranoia: in the song’s instrumental bridge, the rhythm section simmers as horns let forth quiet squeals.

The band takes equal cues from hip hop instrumentals and golden era Soul — counting the sounds of frequent hip hop collaborators BADBADNOTGOOD and the tight arrangement and production style of Stax Records as influences — as they build tracks that leave room for words to grow, breathe, and take focus, but never underestimate the power of beat and rhythm to build tension and release.

Cromack’s voice is afforded a new palette in this project, as his vocals climb through horn arrangements and rhythm with unprecedented light and shade.

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - Do It For Nothing

Brickwall Hallelujah

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - Brickwall Hallelujah

Everything Is Right In Front Of Me

The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack - Everything Is Right In Front Of Me

Three is the magic number for The Cactus Channel. The ever-evolving Melbourne collective’s third album Stay A While represents a new consciousness and a decisive turning point. Unloosed from their earlier incarnation as an instrumental soul and funk band into something wilder, a little darker and heavier, the new album sees The Cactus Channel diving in deep to dreamlike soundtracks, electrifying wig-outs and woozy meditations. 

The new embodiment of The Cactus Channel flexes their classic soul and funk influences whilst expanding their own songwriting along psychedelic paths, adding weight and substance to their melodic and rhythmic axis. There were signifiers along the road; a boundary-splintering EP with Ball Park Music singer Sam Cromack last year, following a 7” single collab with Nick Murphy, released as The Cactus Channel feat. Chet Faker. These outings were a glimpse of the alchemy of adding vocals to the band’s typically intuitive, instrumental arrangements. And now with the band’s own Lewis Coleman stepping up to the mic, a vocal dimension has become part of The Cactus Channel’s fully formed, signature sound.

Looking back to when The Cactus Channel formed in high school, united by shared interests and a shared sense of humour, they were always set to walk this new path. A love of soul music and the kind of hip hop, jazz, and alternative releases that spring from it, meant that from the beginning The Cactus Channel have prided themselves not just on eclecticism, but on the constant sharing of influences among their members; exploring new influences and sonic territories.