Cocophone
Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
Music
Press
’Cocophone Gig Launches TAF’
The annual Trinity Arts Festival (TAF) took place last week and was kicked off with an intriguing performance by Cocophone.
Cocophone are a two piece acoustic, folk-like ensemble comprising of Fin on guitars and vocals, and Freya on violin and vocals. The pair possess a sound that is quite unique amongst the currently indie-rampant Dublin scene. Despite only using guitar, violin and the odd sprinkling of tambourine, in their performance, the music does not seem bereft of any particular quality. The night saw them perform songs from their recently recorded demo, along with several other tracks.
The outstanding songs for this writer were ’These Lungs, our Ocean’, and ’Playgrounds Worry Some’. Freya’s vocals on ’These Lungs, our Ocean’ are captivating. With a gentle-yet strong voice, akin to that of Lisa Hannigan, her melodies are floaty and dreamlike. Combined with gentle guitar and hypnotic violin this song has a potent and atmospheric feel to it.
’Playgrounds Worry Some’ is deceptively more up-beat and cheery song, although the lyrics would suggest otherwise. A lively guitar and rich tonal violin arrangement accompanies Fin and Freya’s flawless harmony. Their voices blend well, neither overpowering the other. The uplifting chorus, and its tambourine, was much enjoyed by the audience.
Cocophone cite Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake and Simon & Garfunkel, amoung others, as their influences. The Simon & Garfunkel influence is apparent in their tight harmonies. Their voices are, in the words of the Kings of Convenience, "two soft voices blended in perfection". Fin and Freyas’ music is a fresh and welcome change on the Dublin music scene and, after the performance in the Atrium, it is clear that they would excel in any of Dublin’s intimate music venues such as the Sugar Club, or Upstairs at Whelan’s.
Cocophone are a particularly pleasant listen and definitely worth checking out, so keep an ear out for them in the coming months.
Fiona Hedderman. - The University Record (Trinity College Dublin)
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Cocophone are a two piece acoustic, folk-like ensemble comprising of Fin on guitars and vocals, and Freya on violin, vocals and synthesizer. The pair possess a sound that is quite unique amongst the currently indie-rampant Dublin scene. Despite only using guitar, violin and the odd sprinkling of tambourine, in their performance, the music does not seem bereft of any particular quality’. ‘Fin and Freyas’ music is a fresh and welcome change on the Dublin music scene’. Their music is often described as chilled-out acoustic sometimes lively and often experimental. Cocophone practise melodic innovation by recording, gigging and yoga. Their influences include Radiohead, Simon&Garfunkel, Bon iver, Fleetwood Mac, Sigur Ros, Dead Can Dance. Most recently, the pair have been kept busy with writing/recording sessions, organising both a score and live catalogue of sounds and rhythms. For upcoming live performances we would ask that you keep your ear to the Cocophone…
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