The Latest from Spinalonga Records — New Releases from Cube, Circassian and One Leg Mary
Greece may be in the throes of an economic crisis — my understanding is the new austerity budget and continued bailouts didn’t go over so well, though I’m more than happy to admit my grasp of international financial policy is limited at best — but hard times mean good art. The Athens-based label/collective has three new releases available now for stream, download and purchase, and they were kind enough to send over a summary of what each band is all about.
The PR wire — now three times as informative:
Cube – self titled (2012, Spinalonga Records/Body Blows Records)
Self-titled debut LP by Cube, released digitally and on vinyl 12” (in a limited pressing of 250 copies).
In the midst of the economic crisis in Greece, Cube are releasing what seems like a 90’s heavy rock revival. Focused on groove and straight-up heaviness, the band delves into prog-rock experimentation but never loses the grungy aesthetic that cuts through the entire album. The quartet have released a few tracks over the years on various compilations such as the “In the Junkyard” series -featuring fellow greek acts the Dive, Planet of Zeus, the Bliss, Nightstalker among others- (Spinalonga Records, Greece) and the “Rock’n’Roll Blvd vol.1” -featuring bands like Honcho, Monkey 3, Kayser and more- (Buzzville Records, Belgium).
Listen, download or vinyl-order at: http://cube-1.bandcamp.com/
Perfect Monkey [official video]: http://youtu.be/AFUvNKZKxkI
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cube/96555009108
Circassian – Procrastinational (2012, Spinalonga Records)
2nd EP by Circassian, released digitally.
The name derives from a North Caucasian ethnic group and obviously its reputation reached the steps of Athens, Greece only to be one of many ‘ethnic’ influences for the band. Their music is fused by neo-psychedelic patterns, often forms of atonality and of course traditional melodies drawn from parts of Asia and Northern Africa. Major musical influences that characterise the band, include the 70’s german krautrock scene, surf/garage scenes (both modern and older) and traditional/contemporary mediterranean music.
In 2011, Circassian released their first s/t EP and by early 2013, they will enter the studio to record their full length debut.
Listen, download or vinyl-order at: http://circassian.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Circassian/199199250098036
One Leg Mary – Yes Exactly, Maybe Not (2012, Spinalonga records)
Debut EP by One Leg Mary, released digitally.
OLM balances between sweet melodies and edgy instrumentals. Following the thread from the 80’s indie american scene up to the latest math-rock acts, the band finds its own voice; the voice of four young men from the suburbs of Athens in 2012. This is extremely tight, syncopated indie rock with clever vocal lines. It is exactly this contrast that you can find in their neighbourhood. The rough future-less decline of society in crisis mixed with a peaceful idealistic upbringing, that is reflected in their music. It is tight and energetic, even aggressive occasionally, but it has to remain witty at all times. This is a first taste of one of the most promising young bands in Greece.
Listen, download or vinyl-order at: http://onelegmary.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/OneLegMary
