Edmund II
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Edmund II

New York City, New York, United States | SELF

New York City, New York, United States | SELF
Band Rock Singer/Songwriter

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Edmund II - Riptide"

With all due respect to the man in black, Edmund II seems to have been everywhere, man. He’s toured all over the United States and Canada with the ‘cello-rock’ band Utah! that he formed back in 1998, and in the process has seemingly played with just about everyone. He’s shared stages with the likes of the Lemonheads, Guided by Voices, Ted Leo, the Promise Ring, Menomena and more, and in the days since Utah! has collaborated and worked alongside the likes of the Rosebuds, Bowerbirds, and Megafaun. That’s a lot of names, and his musical travels have taken him from the Midwest down to North Carolina and up to Brooklyn, NYC, where he currently makes his base of operations. And just because he has that “II” in his name doesn’t mean he’s ready to play second fiddle for much longer. His first solo project, an album called Floating Monk, has been in the works for three years, but after all that time he’s ready to bring it to the masses.

Based on all early indications, it seems like Edmund is going to spring something really interesting on the world. “Riptide” opens with some thoughtful acoustic guitar picking and carefully placed chords, which might cause one to imagine being led to gentler meadows of sunny, hazy acoustic-drive indie pop. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing however as the song’s early moves are deceptive. Instead it lures you in with it’s simply constructed, uptempo cadence before opening it’s mouth and beginning to roar after passing the two minute mark with squalling backdrops of electric guitar. The moment almost feels like Doves-meets-Matt Pond as the song’s uptempo bounce collides with a wall of noise to create a strangely graceful and entirely appealing din, over which Edmund II declares that “we are the riptide!“ Things continue in this fashion for a hair over five minutes, as Edmund and company show a sense of dynamics allowing the wave to crest and roll out before crashing back in again.

Okay, so I used a lot of oceanographic terminology there, but with a song called “Riptide” it’s hard to resist. And if this is a sign of things to come, than Edmund II’s tide is just starting to rise and roll in. Edmund II’s new album Floating Monk will be released nationally on June 26th - Striker Bill


"Edmund II's Golden Lung"

We are delighted to bring you an exclusive premiere of Golden Lung, the second track to be released from Edmund II’s forthcoming album Floating Monk.

He served his apprenticeship in the underground rock scenes of the Midwest including the cello-rock band Utah!, and in North Carolina where he performed and collaborated with The Rosebuds, Bowerbirds and Megafaun amongst others.

Now after a lengthy writing sabbatical, and these days happily ensconced in Brooklyn, New York, his sound has evolved into this first solo project. Described as Nick Drake meets Nick Cave meets Slowdive…surrounded by doves, it is a beautiful and delicate record that has taken three years to craft and shape.

Nothing illustrates this better than the luxuriant acoustics of album opener Golden Lung, which starts with an orchestral flourish and gently insistent guitar lines, over which his warm vocal gracefully swirls and hovers to create three minutes of exquisite, honeyed pop music.

Released nationally in a couple of weeks time - the Mad Mackerel


"Edmund II - Floating Monk"

Brooklyn-based Edmund II -- aka Edmund Pellino -- has created an atmospheric solo debut that falls somewhere between the lush, shimmering guitar chord washes of shoe-gaze and the more Floyd-ian elements of the grand-art progressives. Nothing's hurried and everything rings with a stately peal on Floating Monk (June 26), a dark, dreamy collection that draws upon influences of exploratory bands like Sigur Ros and Tortoise while still grounded with hymnal vocal melodies and pop sensibilities. As his bio puts it, "heavy in all the right places." Check out the two-chord majesty of "Rosella" and intricate fret work of lead track "Riptide". - Direct Current - RADAR


Discography

"Floating Monk" LP

Photos

Bio

Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, Edmund II began developing his approach to music in the underground rock scenes of the midwest. Forming the cello-rock band Utah! in '98, and touring US and Canada, Edmund II has shared stages w/ Guided by Voices, the Lemonheads, Ted Leo, Promise Ring, the Frogs and Menomena. After relocating, he commenced “rocking out” in the infamous North Carolina scene. Through various projects and cameo's, Edmund II performed and collaborated with the Rosebuds (Merge Records), Bowerbirds, and Megafaun.

With a tasteful chord palate, Edmund II has gracefully evolved from rock and roll beginnings. He creates a very lush, mystical, and beautifully dark environment for his music with influences ranging from bossanova guitar, Tortoise, the Cure, Sigur Ros to Shellac.

After a substantial writing sabbatical in the fall of '09, Edmund II began the recordings for his first solo project. Conceptually in the making for 3 years, Edmund II's “Floating Monk” is a carefully crafted tale. The album is an artful balance of atmosphere and pop, but heavy in all the right places. Think Nick Drake meets Nick Cave meets Slowdive...surrounded by Doves.