Fronted by the one and only Danatalia de Silver, who began her life/musical career as Daniel Poulter aka Daniel Darling and lead previous groups such as The Dolly Rocker Movement and Kill City Creeps, The Dandelion are four piece from Sydney who weave retro nostalgia with swirling, driving psych rock and pop.
A follow on from their 2013 release “Strange Case Of The Dandelion” their new single ‘In The Shadow Of Light’ the quartet bring their own mix of musical spells with a sound which they describe as like “seeds turning into flowers they bring gifts for the Goddess of magical powers.”
Check out the single below, and if you like what you hear be sure to visit the band’s Facebook and Bandcamp.
Sundowners have the kudos of the patronage of The Coral, whose leader James Skelly is on the co-production duties . Keeping it in the family, he’s also the brother of guitarist Alfie and singer Fiona Skelly, who shares the vocal duties in the band with Niamh Rowe. The story isn’t about mentors they’re walking a similarly retro but much poppier path than their older brothers band. “Wild As The Season” comes on like “The Age of Aquarius” by The 5th Dimension. Opening with a brooding splash of tambourine, bass and a squall of guitar chords that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Nuggets compilation, it then smacks you around the face with some mighty harmonies. If the sign of a great opening song is that you press repeat as soon as it’s finished and then do that again several times, then this ticks the box.
“Back To You” starts off like New Order and the vocal harmonies have a woozy claustrophobia about them, pitched deliberately low in the mix to match the swampy guitars.
Recent single “Into The Light” is the best thing here, a heady west coast breeze, revolving around a frenetic 12 string guitar riff and breathy melodies, it’s a marvellous blend of sounds like Fleetwood Mac and Love.
Upcoming single “If Wishes Were Horses” has a lovely Krautrock hook; and is a reminder that as wonderful as the paired vocals are, the rhythm section are marvellously unfussy, keeping the song anchored throughout. “Soul Responding” is a Northern Soul stomp, it has an intensity that the more ethereal moments, such as “Hummingbird” lack and shows that when they stick to what they do best, psychedelic pop they’re a mighty proposition.
Sundowners love of 60s stomp will undoubtedly see them rack up ardent admirers on this year’s festival circuit if their burgeoning live reputation is anything to go by – indeed the album itself was recorded live for the most part. The relentless beat group energy of the instrumentation blends wonderfully the laidback, insouciant cool of the vocal harmonies. It’s an unabashed paean to psychedelia, and at its best channels Jefferson Airplane,
Coves are John Ridgard and Beck Wood from Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, Psychedelica Pop A fantastic new band, catch them as support to Band of Skulls at the Rescue Rooms Saturday 29th March
The Fat Angel Sings 