Mortdelamer
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Mortdelamer

Swindon, England, United Kingdom | SELF

Swindon, England, United Kingdom | SELF
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"Mortdelamer"

Garry from SAN PR recently dropped us a line about the new EP, Words Within The Wires, from British alternative rock crew, Mortdelamer. Due for release on October 1st 2012, the band have taken influence from the likes of Muse, Biffy Clyro and Incubus to form their own unique take on music, presenting us with a sound which will make us think, make us listen, and make us enjoy. Having already been together since 2008, this is a band that have been working hard to craft their sound, so I thought it only right we check out the fruits of their labours!

From the opening moments of Pieces And Reasons we’re not given a lot to go on, a strange vocal line opening things before we’re ushered into a strange and dark mix of bass heavy rhythms. Soon assuming the more convention approach as the vocals kick in, the mix adopts a sound which is going to entice you to listen harder, the soft vocal melodies echoing out over the bass heavy and sludgy backing music to form contrast after contrast throughout the music, showing that this is a band that understands the complexities of their music, understand how to form their tracks and know what their mission is. There’s a real catchy edge to this track, somehow offering up a rhythm and melody which is sure to engage people and get them listening to the band, almost sounding like they could venture into the mainstream world and still achieve success, it’s a careful balance with their authenticity yet they seem to have achieved it.

Moving on to I’ve Got My Backbone we’re once again shown the bands influences and what they’ve done with them. Opening in a far more upbeat manner and sounding akin to the likes of Biffy Clyro, this is a track which is sure to get people singing along, dancing and wanting to see the band live. Powerful yet restrained, heavy and hard hitting yet melodic throughout, there’s a real mix running throughout this track which is going to build a solid fanbase both in the metal and rock world, and also in the mainstream side of things. The same sort of vibe continues with Fade, this time opening with a far more ‘out there’ approach and slowly building into the track. Sounding almost restrained at first, the movements which this track works through sets it out as a serious high point on the EP, showing that there’s more to this band than simple songs! The restrained soon moves into catchy and upbeat moments, the whole mix forming a track which is catchy, powerful and the sort of thing which you know is going to be a success both live, and on the radio given the opportunity. Standing out as my own personal favourite track from the EP, this is one to make sure you check out!

Following on with The Hide, once again we’re returned to the more reflective and calming notes of earlier tracks, the music this time building around you to form a sound which is simply going to envelop you and make you sit back, take it all in and allow it to lead you into the track. The laid back guitar seems to combine with the syncopated and powerful drumming, all backing up the soft vocal line which leads us into things and keeps us listening. Standing out as another powerful track on the EP, the emotional content of this track stands it out as one to check out, relying on the power of their message rather than the power of the distortion pedal. It’s then only left to Searching For Safety to close things, finishing the EP on a more upbeat and conventional note but letting you know that the band haven’t changed their message. The catchiness of this track once again stands it out as a track to make sure you check out, the feminine vocals echoing out over the backing track to form a sound which is full of emotion, powerful and catchy at the same time. It would be clichéd to say the EP finishes on a high, but simply, it does, paving the way for what ever is going to follow next.

I quite like the sound that Mortdelamer have gone for as it’s beyond simply, showing that there are bands out there who don’t follow the conventions dictated to them by major music labels and instead, craft music which they want to create, music which means something to them and shows off their understanding and skill in the best possible way. This is a band I look forward to hearing more from in the future, certainly one to look out for!

To find out more about Mortdelamer, check out their Facebook page HERE.

Words: Dave Nicholls
- Loud Stuff


"Mortdelamer Interview"

Mortdelamer

https://www.facebook.com/mortdelamer

1. How did you get your band name?

Roughly translated to English as ‘Death of the Sea’. Named after the French dish ‘Fruits De La Mer’, but with the fruit substituted for death because you know, death sounded more 'rock and roll'.

2. How did this band get started?

The band was formed in 2008. After her previous band split up, Claire started performing as a solo acoustic artist. She was joined in early 2008 by Joe on bass, and after a few months playing together, they decided that they wanted to form a full band. Sean joined on drums in the summer of 2008 and Mortdelamer were formed.

3. What bands are you influenced by?

Karnivool, Muse, Skunk Anansie, Biffy Clyro, Oceansize, Incubus

4. If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Karnivool, Muse, No Doubt. Musically, we think we'd fit with all of them and they all seem suitably insane.

5. Best food to eat on tour?

Whatever we can afford!

6. Why should people listen to your band?

We hope that we provide something exciting and powerful that people haven't heard before, or haven't heard done this particular way before. The range of artists that we have been compared to over the years is extremely broad. People often don't seem to be able to put their finger on our sound, but at the same time recognise bits and pieces here and there that are familiar to them. We think we have something for everyone.

7. If you could be any athlete, which athlete would you switch places with?

Michael Jordan, because he was in Space Jam.

8. If you won a Grammy, who would you thank?

Our parents and friends. Anyone who has ever spoken to us/bought merch after a show - we love ya.

9. If you could change something about the music industry, what would it be?

More people going to see smaller/unsigned bands for the sake of seeing bands, rather than just because they are mates with band members.

10. Memorable tour experience?

A show we did in Cardiff on our first ever UK tour. Very long story short, we show up at the venue to discover that they have no in-house sound guy, no mics, no mic stands, no monitors, no cables (we weren't told this would be the case - luckily we had a sound guy with us and we managed to borrow some gear for the night). They also have a noise limiter that cuts the power on stage during the first 5 seconds of the first band's set, and refuses to reset. The venue owner provides us with one extension reel plugged in at the back of the room to power everything on stage. Fantastic. Even better still, towards the end of the first band's set, the guitarist falls and dislocates his knee. Suddenly he is on the floor with his kneecap on completely the wrong side of his leg! Cue over an hours wait for an ambulance, and having to cram 4 bands sets into what little time we had left after the unfortunate guitarist is carted away. We drove to Cardiff to play 2 songs.

11. What does AP.net mean to you?

Absolute Punk!

12. What is your favorite song to play?

Our favourite song of ours to play at the moment is 'Searching for Safety'.

13. What is your vacation spot of choice?

As a band, Cornwall.

14. What music reminds you of your childhood?

Sean: Less Thank Jake, Incubus, Genesis, Yes
Claire: Less Than Jake, Sum 41, Roxette, Bon Jovi
Joe: Queen, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Iron Maiden

15. If you could have any super power, what would it be? Why?

Flying, because c'mon....FLYING.

16. Any pre-show superstitions or rituals?

Joe pukes a lot, Sean is obsessed with going to the toilet before a show, and Claire needs to be wearing the right pair of shoes.

17. What is something that most fans don't know about you?

We all live together with 3 cats - Merlin, Scuba Steve and the Kraken. Yes, those are their real names.

18. What is your assessment of the current state of radio? Do you think it's a place where your band could flourish?

We think, especially with the dawn of internet radio, that radio is about as diverse as it's ever been. There is a station for just about any genre of music you can imagine. With this in mind, yes, we do feel like it's a place that we could flourish.

19. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Write, record, practice. Rinse, repeat.

20. What kind of hidden talents do you have?

Sean can do 'the dead cow face' (don't ask), Claire has an eye for artwork/poster design, and Joe, in his own words, can 'talk the hind legs off of a donkey'. - Absolute Punk


"MORTDELAMER – ‘WORDS WITHIN WIRES’"

British alternative rockers Mortdelamer have been around the fringes of the music scene for sometime now, with their latest EP ‘Words Within Wires’ looking to finally give the band their “big break”. Recorded with producer Jonny Renshaw (Devil Sold His Soul, Deaf Havana), Mortdelamer have produced an impressive EP that is their best to work to date. The progressive trio list a number of influences within their bio, with the EP demonstrating a variety of dark melodic moments and fierce guitar riffs that keep the listener guessing.

Fronted by female vocalist Claire Sutton, it’s always refreshing to hear a female alternative rock vocalist not trying to sound like Hayley Williams. Instead Claire provides darker vocals similar to Amy Lee that sound incredible alongside the intricate guitar chords, as the Muse and Biffy Clyro influences shine through in the instrumentals resulting in some fantastic tracks.

Opening with ‘Pieces and Reasons’ the track begins with a voice over which is abruptly interrupted by a strong bass line and hard-hitting drums. As the track progresses towards the chorus we are hit with crafty guitar work and strong vocals that keep the track interesting on the ears. ‘I’ve Got My Backbone’ sounds similar to Queens of the Stone Ages, ‘Know One Knows’ with similar guitar chords and recognisable chorus. This track highlights the more pop minded approach by the band, who tone down the alternative rock and apply catchy chorus that echo the ‘pop punk’ genre.

‘Fade’ sees a return to the alternative rock sound, with it being the power ballad track on the EP that has a surprising but impressive breakdown towards the end of the track. ‘The Hide’ is a seven-minute track that fails to deliver, with it failing to capture my imagination with its dark and ominous sound. ‘Searching For Safety’ however makes up for the previous track and is one of the standout tracks. With the band echoing everything that is perfect about alternative rock, with the track reminding me of early Deftones.

Throughout the EP the vocals have been the standout factor, with Claire managing to deliver a fantastic performances whist not letting her impressive guitars playing to be compromised. Overall the EP is raw and unpolished, which is a great thing - whether it will give them their “big break” remains to be seen, though.

ELLIOTT QUANTRILL - Punktastic


"Mortdelamer at 229, London"

On a night like tonight where up and coming bands are showcasing their talent, it's rare to see a band grab the rooms attention in the way Mortdelamer did.

It didn't start well, there was no presence or energy coming from the stage; the trio from Wiltshire sported a mishmash of stylings in their look and rarely a word between songs and most people were ignoring the stage when the set started.

But everyone at 229 very quickly realised they were hearing something rather special.

Sounding very similar to a female version of a young Daniel Johns, of early Silverchair fame, singer Claire Sutton's voice has the strong grunge qualities that can define and lead a bands style. Backed by funky bass and solid beats this is grunge for the modern age.

Their songs are long but filled with transitions so never boring, by the end they had the entire crowd's attention; everyone may not have been focused on the stage but the were definitely connecting with the music.

Mortdelamer is a young band both in looks and craft but there is undeniable talent here that shows they have the potential to go far. - www.roomthirteen.com


"One of Swindon's Best Kept Secrets!"

Easily one of Swindon's Best Kept Secrets, Mortdelamer have been quietly content with playing small shows, entertaining social venues and delighting fans with thier mix of wallbreaking sound and melodic lyrical content. All of a sudden, they've recorded an album, got new merchandise and ramped up the publicity. The three-peice band are individually talented to an insane degree, and yet together they make this most unstoppable force which has no signs of slowing down. Stand in their way at your peril. - Tom Himself, The Nightshift Rockshow


"Newbury BOTB"

Closing the event were Mortdelamer, (pronounced mort-der-la-mare as in 'death on the sea' a trio of drums bass and featuring the only female performer of the evening on guitar. It seems that few in the room knew who these guys were, but any expectations were blown out of the water when they actually played. The sound is melodic metal and the clean female vocals against the heavy guitar and drum sound is a powerful and technical mix. So powerful was their performance that the floor tom actually broke. Luckily drummer from Wishlist saves the day by holding the drum for the rest of the set. No joke!
Playing on, the band demonstrate a real skill at articulating their emotions into sound and enjoying it too. I don't think the bass player ever stopped smiling. A really impressive set that certainly delivered on sound. - Bermuda Square Effect


"Band Profile - Mortdelamer"

If you like your rock big - then you should look no further than Swindon band Mortdelamer. This threesome have a big sound and aren't afraid to scream about it. Whilst gigging relentlessly the trio recorded their first full length album at Gatehouse Studios throughout 2009 which they mixed themselves from home and mastered at the famous Metropolis studios. The album, The Man with Two Heads, was finally released in March and is available to download from www.mortdelamer.co.uk or from iTunes.
The band recently drove out to Ocelot Farm to give us a taster of the album and it's good stuff. With the powerful voice of Claire Sutton on lead vocals, Joe Bishop on bass and Sean Ivens on drums, they are a tight outfit who have created an arresting sound that shows why they've been so popular on the live circuit for the past year or so. We like it when a good local band surfaces in Wiltshire and this album is a showcase for Mortdelamer's musical talent and is a very accomplished debut. Their sound is at once raw and melodic, littered with musical flourishes proving they aren't afraid of a bit of experimentation. Our particular stand-outs were The Man With Two Heads, Smile Upon The Wicked, Reason Within Doubt, Everything and Anything and Chasing Lights. Urm, that's basically the whole album. There's literally not a duff tune in the whole lot. These guys (and a gal) have already had some success placing at Battle of the Band competitions throughout the South West and we believe it won't be long before they go onto bigger things. - The Ocelot


Discography

The Man With Two Heads - Debut album
Leech - EP
Words Within The Wires - EP

Photos

Bio

Born out of Swindon, Wiltshire in 2008 and comprised of childhood friends Joe Bishop (Bass Guitar) and Sean Ivens (Drums), along with Claire Sutton (Guitar, Vocals, and Keyboards), the formidable three piece wasted no time mapping out their manifesto. The band soon began to serve their time, not only in the recording studio, but on the road as well. Ever since their inception, Mortdelamer have toured relentlessly throughout the UK for the past four years, racking supports with InMe and Supergrass along the way; the threesome also hit Europe this Summer and have further dates in the pipeline for 2013.

Possessing an impressive recording output, the industrious trio released ‘The Man With Two Heads’ in 2010 and their EP ‘Leech’ last year; both records locked down solid underground support, garnering many new fans for the rising Rocksters. The band now tread untapped ground with their fantastic new EP ‘Words Within The Wires’, recorded by esteemed producer Jonny Renshaw (DevilSoldHisSoul, Evita, Deaf Havana); the EP spews out five gigantic cuts from the contagious refrain and fretwork of ‘Pieces and Reasons’ to the dynamically ambient and infectious ‘Searching For Safety’. The progressive trio have gelled together an impressive record that is sure to transcend the underground and reward the Brit-rock crew with well-earned national status.