Sebastopol

Taken from the debut album Hello All Stations, This Is Zero, Send The Boats is reminiscent of Aztec Camera and XTC.

(4 Stars)
John Dingwall - Daily Record

Taken from the debut album Hello All Stations, This Is Zero, Send The Boats is reminiscent of Aztec Camera and XTC.

(4 Stars)
John Dingwall - Daily Record

Send the Boats was written when Nick Powell managed to get himself marooned on a north Atlantic island for two weeks when making a documentary on seals. Well, to be honest I've heard some strange stories behind songs before but this is definitely a new one on me.

Sebastopol are Nick Powell (vocals and bass), Phil Richards (guitar) and Tom Sandage (drums). Now, I'm going to get a couple of gripes out of the way first. Number one is the single 'package'. It includes the single (obviously) and two additional tracks, an instrumental which is just the single with the vocals stripped out and an a cappella version which is the vocals with the music stripped out. Now the reason I'm complaining is that the instrumental is well, just the single without the vocals and nothing more. Nothing added, no remix, nothing. And the same goes for the a cappella version in which you can actually hear the music in the background. It isn't a cappella as it isn't a vocal only arrangement, which would have meant they had to try and it's quite patently obvious on the two extra tracks that they didn't try. Whoever's idea the two extra tracks were, it was a bad one that should not be repeated. And the second gripe? Sebastopol have been described as 'The Police' for 2012. I mean, seriously, bloody music reviewers. Idiots, the lot of them.

Now, all that is going to have you believe I don't like this single. Well, you're wrong. I do like it. It's a good piece of pop, all jangling guitars and driving bass. The song is inspired by Nick's experiences marooned in the North Atlantic. So, evidently are all the songs on the album which could be interesting. What would have been more interesting for this single would have been a genuine b-side or perhaps just Send the Boats on its tod. The single has been chosen for the Burton's UK chain retail screens this autumn so when you’re off out shopping for your Christmas party shirt you should be well entertained. - Grumpy Rocker

Send the Boats was written when Nick Powell managed to get himself marooned on a north Atlantic island for two weeks when making a documentary on seals. Well, to be honest I've heard some strange stories behind songs before but this is definitely a new one on me.

Sebastopol are Nick Powell (vocals and bass), Phil Richards (guitar) and Tom Sandage (drums). Now, I'm going to get a couple of gripes out of the way first. Number one is the single 'package'. It includes the single (obviously) and two additional tracks, an instrumental which is just the single with the vocals stripped out and an a cappella version which is the vocals with the music stripped out. Now the reason I'm complaining is that the instrumental is well, just the single without the vocals and nothing more. Nothing added, no remix, nothing. And the same goes for the a cappella version in which you can actually hear the music in the background. It isn't a cappella as it isn't a vocal only arrangement, which would have meant they had to try and it's quite patently obvious on the two extra tracks that they didn't try. Whoever's idea the two extra tracks were, it was a bad one that should not be repeated. And the second gripe? Sebastopol have been described as 'The Police' for 2012. I mean, seriously, bloody music reviewers. Idiots, the lot of them.

Now, all that is going to have you believe I don't like this single. Well, you're wrong. I do like it. It's a good piece of pop, all jangling guitars and driving bass. The song is inspired by Nick's experiences marooned in the North Atlantic. So, evidently are all the songs on the album which could be interesting. What would have been more interesting for this single would have been a genuine b-side or perhaps just Send the Boats on its tod. The single has been chosen for the Burton's UK chain retail screens this autumn so when you’re off out shopping for your Christmas party shirt you should be well entertained. - Grumpy Rocker

As vocalist Nick Powell gets things going with the line ‘The captain says we’ve got 10 minutes’ the first thing that pops into your mind should be just how fresh and unique this sounds. Considering the fact that Sebastopol have managed to do that in the first line of their first single off their debut album, it should really start ringing alarm bells that this band are something to look out for.

‘Send the Boats’, taken off of the album ‘Hello All Stations, This Is Zero’ is a delightful ode to indie songs of old, however, it does this without sounding dated at all. This could be down to a number of things, the wonderfully crafted guitar chords, complimenting a simple yet effective drum beat, and it could be down to some well worked lyrics and perfectly crafted harmonies. The list could literally go on for ever.

Regardless of reasoning, ‘Send the Boat’ is old, yet new – a clear tribute to bands such as Sting and Radiohead, while maintain their own image. It is catchy, it is unique and it is a very well crafted and simply, a very good song.

7/10
Written by Mark Wiglesworth, Pure FM Music Team. - Pure FM Music

As vocalist Nick Powell gets things going with the line ‘The captain says we’ve got 10 minutes’ the first thing that pops into your mind should be just how fresh and unique this sounds. Considering the fact that Sebastopol have managed to do that in the first line of their first single off their debut album, it should really start ringing alarm bells that this band are something to look out for.

‘Send the Boats’, taken off of the album ‘Hello All Stations, This Is Zero’ is a delightful ode to indie songs of old, however, it does this without sounding dated at all. This could be down to a number of things, the wonderfully crafted guitar chords, complimenting a simple yet effective drum beat, and it could be down to some well worked lyrics and perfectly crafted harmonies. The list could literally go on for ever.

Regardless of reasoning, ‘Send the Boat’ is old, yet new – a clear tribute to bands such as Sting and Radiohead, while maintain their own image. It is catchy, it is unique and it is a very well crafted and simply, a very good song.

7/10
Written by Mark Wiglesworth, Pure FM Music Team. - Pure FM Music

How would have Police sounded if they had gone through post-punk and dream pop? The answer can be found in Sebastopol’s “Send the Boats”, a catchy bass-driven track, with a pinch of pop into the bargain. A minimalist musical pattern, intriguing vocals and choruses that get easily stuck in your head, without even realising. The band just released its début album “Hello Station, this is Zero” via Warm Fuzz.

Fab 'Electra'
September 18, 2012 - Another DIY Music Blog

How would have Police sounded if they had gone through post-punk and dream pop? The answer can be found in Sebastopol’s “Send the Boats”, a catchy bass-driven track, with a pinch of pop into the bargain. A minimalist musical pattern, intriguing vocals and choruses that get easily stuck in your head, without even realising. The band just released its début album “Hello Station, this is Zero” via Warm Fuzz.

Fab 'Electra'
September 18, 2012 - Another DIY Music Blog

SEBASTOPOL – SEND THE BOATS: Send The Boats is taken from Sebastopol’s debut album, Hello All Stations, This Is Zero, and is a pretty likeable indie-pop offering that is built around classic sounding jangly guitar riffs and gritty vocals. The band have been likened by many to The Police but this adheres to an earlier form of guitar pop that is even more retro and accessible. Nick Powell, vocalist and bass player, drew inspiration for the song itself while making a documentary about seals being murdered by a mysterious ‘corkscrew killer’ on a remote island in the North Atlantic, during which he became marooned with his production crew for two weeks. The experience of literally being lost at sea, and the consequent feeling of helplessness, became the inspiration for the single and much of the album. And if you don’t get that while listening to the guitar backed song, they’ve also delivered an a capella version that really brings the despair and uncertainty in the lyrics.
Rating: 3 out of 5 - Indie London

SEBASTOPOL – SEND THE BOATS: Send The Boats is taken from Sebastopol’s debut album, Hello All Stations, This Is Zero, and is a pretty likeable indie-pop offering that is built around classic sounding jangly guitar riffs and gritty vocals. The band have been likened by many to The Police but this adheres to an earlier form of guitar pop that is even more retro and accessible. Nick Powell, vocalist and bass player, drew inspiration for the song itself while making a documentary about seals being murdered by a mysterious ‘corkscrew killer’ on a remote island in the North Atlantic, during which he became marooned with his production crew for two weeks. The experience of literally being lost at sea, and the consequent feeling of helplessness, became the inspiration for the single and much of the album. And if you don’t get that while listening to the guitar backed song, they’ve also delivered an a capella version that really brings the despair and uncertainty in the lyrics.
Rating: 3 out of 5 - Indie London

We are big fans of Sebastopol in the FemaleFirst office after the boys paid us a visit earlier this year and this week they are back with Send The Boats.

Send The Boats is the latest tack to be taken from their debut album Hello All Stations, This Is Zero and it another infectious and upbeat track.

The jangly guitars and driving bass is the heart of this track and they don’t do anything over the top with the production.

With this track Sebastopol let the vocals of Nick Powell and the music do the talking - they are not a band that needs over the top production or gimmicks to make great music.

Sebastopol create quite a nostalgic sound with their music and yet it never sounds dated, in fact Send The Boats nods back bands of old whist remaining contemporary.

Sebastopol is a band with a real energy and that is demonstrated on this track as well as the rest of their debut record.

Sebastopol - Send The Boats is out now

(4 out of 5)

FemaleFirst
Helen Earnshaw - Female First

We are big fans of Sebastopol in the FemaleFirst office after the boys paid us a visit earlier this year and this week they are back with Send The Boats.

Send The Boats is the latest tack to be taken from their debut album Hello All Stations, This Is Zero and it another infectious and upbeat track.

The jangly guitars and driving bass is the heart of this track and they don’t do anything over the top with the production.

With this track Sebastopol let the vocals of Nick Powell and the music do the talking - they are not a band that needs over the top production or gimmicks to make great music.

Sebastopol create quite a nostalgic sound with their music and yet it never sounds dated, in fact Send The Boats nods back bands of old whist remaining contemporary.

Sebastopol is a band with a real energy and that is demonstrated on this track as well as the rest of their debut record.

Sebastopol - Send The Boats is out now

(4 out of 5)

FemaleFirst
Helen Earnshaw - Female First

"Sebastopol rises to claim what could be the year’s last No.1 title, a catchy and fun ditty with just enough U.K. pop spirit to make me swoon."

"A new London-based band, Sebastopol, is pushing a lot of my buttons with smart lyrics, memorable melodies and an uncomplicated straight-forward style. They remind me of new wave’s Psychedelic Furs and the criminally underappreciated and now-defunct Minnesota band The Olympic Hopefuls. I hear a little of The Police and Tokyo Police Club. But perhaps my stretching for comparisons gives you some idea that this group doesn’t quite fit into a number of boxes that are popular right now. I don’t see much written about them, even in the British music press. Perhaps it’s early. But maybe I’ll just be an outlier here. I find them deeply satisfying on an id-like level. It just might be too simple for others." - Orlando's Top Ten

"Sebastopol rises to claim what could be the year’s last No.1 title, a catchy and fun ditty with just enough U.K. pop spirit to make me swoon."

"A new London-based band, Sebastopol, is pushing a lot of my buttons with smart lyrics, memorable melodies and an uncomplicated straight-forward style. They remind me of new wave’s Psychedelic Furs and the criminally underappreciated and now-defunct Minnesota band The Olympic Hopefuls. I hear a little of The Police and Tokyo Police Club. But perhaps my stretching for comparisons gives you some idea that this group doesn’t quite fit into a number of boxes that are popular right now. I don’t see much written about them, even in the British music press. Perhaps it’s early. But maybe I’ll just be an outlier here. I find them deeply satisfying on an id-like level. It just might be too simple for others." - Orlando's Top Ten

"Three piece band releasing their debut album, a loose concept one based on vocalist/bassist Nick Powell’s work filming about shark attacks in Nova Scotia and how he was stranded for a week. Musically this is a strong album, the PR blurb mentions the Police but the Smiths (less Morrissey’s distinctive vocals) is nearer to the mark. Also a touch of the Wonder Stuff on ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ (the Wonder Stuff’s producer Mick Glossop may be partly to blame!). ‘Suffer Fools’ and ‘The Bats’ have a catchy, breezy air about them. A good album and a decent start for a band worth keeping an eye on.
***1/2"

Jason Ritchie - Get Ready To Rock

"Three piece band releasing their debut album, a loose concept one based on vocalist/bassist Nick Powell’s work filming about shark attacks in Nova Scotia and how he was stranded for a week. Musically this is a strong album, the PR blurb mentions the Police but the Smiths (less Morrissey’s distinctive vocals) is nearer to the mark. Also a touch of the Wonder Stuff on ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ (the Wonder Stuff’s producer Mick Glossop may be partly to blame!). ‘Suffer Fools’ and ‘The Bats’ have a catchy, breezy air about them. A good album and a decent start for a band worth keeping an eye on.
***1/2"

Jason Ritchie - Get Ready To Rock

The title for this album “Hello All Stations, This is Zero” is taken from a wartime radio call signal from the 1940’s- signalling the start of a message. A clever title, as no doubt Sebastopol are trying to transmit a message of their own with this collection of songs. Despite being a debut, this album has an incredibly polished and mature sound- perhaps a direct result of working with legendary post punk producer Mick Glossop (Van Morrison, Magazine, Public Image) who mixed the album.
Sebastopol have an atmospheric rock sound- the focus of their songs lies in the lyrics which are often meaning filled and philosophical at times, as can be heard in “Winter Song”- “ Every rainbow pot of gold/ Don’t stop you getting old/ Lift the lid on my life”
While the melodies of the songs on this album are at times very “pop” Sebastopol add a much needed rock edge with a clever use of instrumentation and with their song structures. Highlights of the album include tunes such as “Send The Boats” and “The Bats” both of which show off the writing ability of this band as the songs are both very catchy yet not too cliché at the same time.
There are ten songs on this album and it would have been nice to hear a little more diversity of style, however perhaps that is for Sebastopol to do on a later album. For the moment, as an introduction to their music “ Hello all stations this is zero” does just fine.

(Orna Lyons) - AAA Music

The title for this album “Hello All Stations, This is Zero” is taken from a wartime radio call signal from the 1940’s- signalling the start of a message. A clever title, as no doubt Sebastopol are trying to transmit a message of their own with this collection of songs. Despite being a debut, this album has an incredibly polished and mature sound- perhaps a direct result of working with legendary post punk producer Mick Glossop (Van Morrison, Magazine, Public Image) who mixed the album.
Sebastopol have an atmospheric rock sound- the focus of their songs lies in the lyrics which are often meaning filled and philosophical at times, as can be heard in “Winter Song”- “ Every rainbow pot of gold/ Don’t stop you getting old/ Lift the lid on my life”
While the melodies of the songs on this album are at times very “pop” Sebastopol add a much needed rock edge with a clever use of instrumentation and with their song structures. Highlights of the album include tunes such as “Send The Boats” and “The Bats” both of which show off the writing ability of this band as the songs are both very catchy yet not too cliché at the same time.
There are ten songs on this album and it would have been nice to hear a little more diversity of style, however perhaps that is for Sebastopol to do on a later album. For the moment, as an introduction to their music “ Hello all stations this is zero” does just fine.

(Orna Lyons) - AAA Music

And the watchwords here are consistency and space. Across these ten tracks the three-piece deliver what they term “austerity rock,” lyric driven, immediate and memorable songs with both elbow room and bite. Taking leaves from musical books as disparate as The Police, The Liberty Horses (remember them?) The Icicle Works, Squeeze and a whole raft of post-punk underground pop, they manage to offer up songs that have an understated majesty, a clean limbed directness and musically economical and as an album it is all the better for it.

When they do make a break for chart territory, as with All Eyes and particularly lead track, Send The Boats, the results are excellent, but often it is the more subdued album tracks that inform about the nature of the band. Wistful and gloriously dreamlike, Winter Song is one of those slow burning highlights, The Hateful Mob would have been the jewel in the new wave crown and Something’s Gotta Give has more than a hint of a mature XTC about it.

The often-sparse musical form means that the lyrics are trust into the spot light and quite rightly too, as the words here are works of great beauty in their own right. Although loosely a concept album, based on front man Nick Powell’s time spent in Nova Scotia, it is better described as an album of concepts, recurring themes of loss, failure, maritime imagery and rebirth all poeticised in lines that are quirky, heartfelt, soaring, pointed and poignant.

It is music that is at the same time both jubilant and melancholic, wonderfully out of step with modern fashion lacking both postmodern irony and, more importantly, the right trousers. This however is an album, and a band, which may not reach the dizzy heights of fame and short-lived adulation but will end up being one of those cited by singers and song – writers for years to come.

(September 1, 2012) - Green Man

And the watchwords here are consistency and space. Across these ten tracks the three-piece deliver what they term “austerity rock,” lyric driven, immediate and memorable songs with both elbow room and bite. Taking leaves from musical books as disparate as The Police, The Liberty Horses (remember them?) The Icicle Works, Squeeze and a whole raft of post-punk underground pop, they manage to offer up songs that have an understated majesty, a clean limbed directness and musically economical and as an album it is all the better for it.

When they do make a break for chart territory, as with All Eyes and particularly lead track, Send The Boats, the results are excellent, but often it is the more subdued album tracks that inform about the nature of the band. Wistful and gloriously dreamlike, Winter Song is one of those slow burning highlights, The Hateful Mob would have been the jewel in the new wave crown and Something’s Gotta Give has more than a hint of a mature XTC about it.

The often-sparse musical form means that the lyrics are trust into the spot light and quite rightly too, as the words here are works of great beauty in their own right. Although loosely a concept album, based on front man Nick Powell’s time spent in Nova Scotia, it is better described as an album of concepts, recurring themes of loss, failure, maritime imagery and rebirth all poeticised in lines that are quirky, heartfelt, soaring, pointed and poignant.

It is music that is at the same time both jubilant and melancholic, wonderfully out of step with modern fashion lacking both postmodern irony and, more importantly, the right trousers. This however is an album, and a band, which may not reach the dizzy heights of fame and short-lived adulation but will end up being one of those cited by singers and song – writers for years to come.

(September 1, 2012) - Green Man

Were Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers to reform as a 2012 version of The Police, having removed the vestiges of advancing years and adopting a more modern social conscience in mind, they would sound like Sebastopol, because that is what Sebastopol sounds like. Although the debut album ‘Hello All Stations, This Is Zero’ reminds one, on first acquaintance, of Genesis’ final album title, ‘Calling All Stations’, any remote similarities soon disappear.

There is a darker and more melancholic twist to the sound, which is as much to do with today’s attitudes, as any specific stance adopted by the three-piece band. Their sound is not dissimilar to the Inspiral Carpets, infused with The Kooks, yet lacking the sing-along quality of Belle and Sebastian. However, while broadly familiar, there is a satisfying high-end gravitas to the stark sparseness that this trio creates.

Consisting of Nick Powell (vocals and bass…The Police analogy keeps on coming), Phil Richards (guitar) and Tom Standage (drums), this is an indie rock band that is going to carve out a useful niche, somewhat removed from the customary pop and rock that is being pumped out by the usual suspects. Their musical competence is beyond criticism, delivering perfect syncopation, with a keen ear for creating a modest, yet driven atmosphere.

Listen carefully to the cleverly written lyrics and you will hear tales of failure and the effects of loss. However, they are intertwined with natural resources and regeneration. Yet, there are mentions of vampires, which satisfies some current themes, and even Zeppelins, which was an unexpected bonus. Music-loving Powell is actually a documentary maker by profession and he found time, when bad weather weighed-in to stop filming, to write a few songs about his experiences.

Two years later, having garnered the support of a couple of his best friends, the group was formed and this debut album is the result. The construction of the songs is interesting, as there exists a lot of space within them, which only appears to increase their depth and intensity.

Album covers remain an art-form in their own right and this debut album features an image of computer scientist, Alan Turing, who led much of the UK’s wartime enemy code-cracking effort, from Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire (now part of Milton Keynes). Standage, the drummer, was clearly behind the choice, as he is keen to highlight the parallels that exist between 1940s Britain, when Turing was pre-eminent, and our country today. It would have been Turing’s 100th birthday this year.

Consisting of ten well-produced tracks, the album title is actually a wartime radio call-sign, pinpointing the commencement of a message. It is relevant to the band, as it provided much of its musical direction, into a starker and simpler form. While not too many groups like to refer to their albums in ‘concept’ terms, that is what ‘Hello All Stations’ represents. Personally, I would like to hear a more cheerful, perhaps even lighter alternative to the sound of this album but, as a debut, it is undoubtedly in the right territory and I think that we can expect more from Sebastopol in coming years. - Reviewed Online

Were Sting, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers to reform as a 2012 version of The Police, having removed the vestiges of advancing years and adopting a more modern social conscience in mind, they would sound like Sebastopol, because that is what Sebastopol sounds like. Although the debut album ‘Hello All Stations, This Is Zero’ reminds one, on first acquaintance, of Genesis’ final album title, ‘Calling All Stations’, any remote similarities soon disappear.

There is a darker and more melancholic twist to the sound, which is as much to do with today’s attitudes, as any specific stance adopted by the three-piece band. Their sound is not dissimilar to the Inspiral Carpets, infused with The Kooks, yet lacking the sing-along quality of Belle and Sebastian. However, while broadly familiar, there is a satisfying high-end gravitas to the stark sparseness that this trio creates.

Consisting of Nick Powell (vocals and bass…The Police analogy keeps on coming), Phil Richards (guitar) and Tom Standage (drums), this is an indie rock band that is going to carve out a useful niche, somewhat removed from the customary pop and rock that is being pumped out by the usual suspects. Their musical competence is beyond criticism, delivering perfect syncopation, with a keen ear for creating a modest, yet driven atmosphere.

Listen carefully to the cleverly written lyrics and you will hear tales of failure and the effects of loss. However, they are intertwined with natural resources and regeneration. Yet, there are mentions of vampires, which satisfies some current themes, and even Zeppelins, which was an unexpected bonus. Music-loving Powell is actually a documentary maker by profession and he found time, when bad weather weighed-in to stop filming, to write a few songs about his experiences.

Two years later, having garnered the support of a couple of his best friends, the group was formed and this debut album is the result. The construction of the songs is interesting, as there exists a lot of space within them, which only appears to increase their depth and intensity.

Album covers remain an art-form in their own right and this debut album features an image of computer scientist, Alan Turing, who led much of the UK’s wartime enemy code-cracking effort, from Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire (now part of Milton Keynes). Standage, the drummer, was clearly behind the choice, as he is keen to highlight the parallels that exist between 1940s Britain, when Turing was pre-eminent, and our country today. It would have been Turing’s 100th birthday this year.

Consisting of ten well-produced tracks, the album title is actually a wartime radio call-sign, pinpointing the commencement of a message. It is relevant to the band, as it provided much of its musical direction, into a starker and simpler form. While not too many groups like to refer to their albums in ‘concept’ terms, that is what ‘Hello All Stations’ represents. Personally, I would like to hear a more cheerful, perhaps even lighter alternative to the sound of this album but, as a debut, it is undoubtedly in the right territory and I think that we can expect more from Sebastopol in coming years. - Reviewed Online

Old music is coming back and satisfying our nostalgic desires in a fantastic way. Sebastopol’s new single will throw your body into the passenger seat of a DeLorean and take you for the ride of your life. Catchy, Happy, Classic, Brilliant are a few of the words that sprung to mind at first took a listening. The strange thing is, is that it still manages to sound brand new –this is seriously rare people!!-. ‘Sound-wise, it’s a very dynamic album’ says guitarist Phil Richards. “Instead of producing everything to be as loud as possible, the songs retain a sense of musical space which contributes to their intensity and makes them more engaging.’

In 2010 while making such a programme about seals being murdered by a mysterious “corkscrew killer” on a remote island in the North Atlantic, vocalist Nick Powell became marooned with his production crew for two weeks. This experience of being literally lost at sea, and the consequent feelings of helplessness, became the inspiration for the Sebastopol album.

Inspired by Joni Mitchell, Phil Richard’s guitars are not setup conventionally, and are tuned in a non-standard way called “Sebastopol”, hence the band’s name. ( For information on the Sebastopol tuning click HERE)Tom Standage co-writes the music with Nick and Phil. As well as drumming on the Sebastopol album, Tom played all the percussion instruments, which included an antique rain stick brought back from Latin America by his father.

The new single ‘Send The Boats’ is a record from their album ‘Hello All Stations, This is Zero’ which has been getting some extremely good reviews from radio stations and critics. The video, is directed by Andrew Marshall, who has shot music promos for a many artists including Placebo, Skunk Anansie and Radiohead.

The record touches on a disastrous predicament -sinking into the ocean to be exact- but the music and vocal melodies sail away from anything tragic. The sparkly guitar shows off a nice chorus effect that marries well with the soft bass and busy drums. Essentially Sebastopol has put together a very simple and charming arrangement, and we say that in the most positive of ways, because it is simply superb. - Musicosis

Old music is coming back and satisfying our nostalgic desires in a fantastic way. Sebastopol’s new single will throw your body into the passenger seat of a DeLorean and take you for the ride of your life. Catchy, Happy, Classic, Brilliant are a few of the words that sprung to mind at first took a listening. The strange thing is, is that it still manages to sound brand new –this is seriously rare people!!-. ‘Sound-wise, it’s a very dynamic album’ says guitarist Phil Richards. “Instead of producing everything to be as loud as possible, the songs retain a sense of musical space which contributes to their intensity and makes them more engaging.’

In 2010 while making such a programme about seals being murdered by a mysterious “corkscrew killer” on a remote island in the North Atlantic, vocalist Nick Powell became marooned with his production crew for two weeks. This experience of being literally lost at sea, and the consequent feelings of helplessness, became the inspiration for the Sebastopol album.

Inspired by Joni Mitchell, Phil Richard’s guitars are not setup conventionally, and are tuned in a non-standard way called “Sebastopol”, hence the band’s name. ( For information on the Sebastopol tuning click HERE)Tom Standage co-writes the music with Nick and Phil. As well as drumming on the Sebastopol album, Tom played all the percussion instruments, which included an antique rain stick brought back from Latin America by his father.

The new single ‘Send The Boats’ is a record from their album ‘Hello All Stations, This is Zero’ which has been getting some extremely good reviews from radio stations and critics. The video, is directed by Andrew Marshall, who has shot music promos for a many artists including Placebo, Skunk Anansie and Radiohead.

The record touches on a disastrous predicament -sinking into the ocean to be exact- but the music and vocal melodies sail away from anything tragic. The sparkly guitar shows off a nice chorus effect that marries well with the soft bass and busy drums. Essentially Sebastopol has put together a very simple and charming arrangement, and we say that in the most positive of ways, because it is simply superb. - Musicosis

What are you listening to right now?
“Iambic 9 Poetry” by Squarepusher, from the Ultravisitor album. Astonishingly beautiful.

How did you get into music?
When I was at school my older cousin used to play me records. He had great taste.

Who do you follow religiously on Twitter?
@madmockneycook which is a fake Jamie Oliver account — though it keeps getting closed down and restarting under a new name so it might have changed by the time you read this…

What have you been reading lately?
I’m re-reading “The Passage” by Jonathan Cronin which was the inspiration for “All Eyes” on our debut album. It’s about vampires.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
My bank manager.

Which song do you wish you had written?
“Walking On The Moon” by The Police. I love the sparseness in the sound and the incredible groove — plus it’s got a great bassline.

Does God exist?
Perhaps.

We’re at the bar. What are you drinking?
Bourbon and Coke.

Who would you dread getting stuck in a lift with?
My bank manager.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An archaeologist.

What song will you have played at your funeral?
“Gotta Get Up” by Harry Nilsson.

What gigs, songs or albums are you promoting at the moment?
Our debut album “Hello All Stations, This Is Zero” is out in September, and we’re promoting the lead track “Send The Boats”. We’re also planning a show in London which will be filmed — follow us on Twitter for details.

How can we find out more about you?
Follow us on Twitter @sebastopolband or check our website www.sebastopolband.com — and make sure you download the free track! - Becky Beach

What are you listening to right now?
“Iambic 9 Poetry” by Squarepusher, from the Ultravisitor album. Astonishingly beautiful.

How did you get into music?
When I was at school my older cousin used to play me records. He had great taste.

Who do you follow religiously on Twitter?
@madmockneycook which is a fake Jamie Oliver account — though it keeps getting closed down and restarting under a new name so it might have changed by the time you read this…

What have you been reading lately?
I’m re-reading “The Passage” by Jonathan Cronin which was the inspiration for “All Eyes” on our debut album. It’s about vampires.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
My bank manager.

Which song do you wish you had written?
“Walking On The Moon” by The Police. I love the sparseness in the sound and the incredible groove — plus it’s got a great bassline.

Does God exist?
Perhaps.

We’re at the bar. What are you drinking?
Bourbon and Coke.

Who would you dread getting stuck in a lift with?
My bank manager.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An archaeologist.

What song will you have played at your funeral?
“Gotta Get Up” by Harry Nilsson.

What gigs, songs or albums are you promoting at the moment?
Our debut album “Hello All Stations, This Is Zero” is out in September, and we’re promoting the lead track “Send The Boats”. We’re also planning a show in London which will be filmed — follow us on Twitter for details.

How can we find out more about you?
Follow us on Twitter @sebastopolband or check our website www.sebastopolband.com — and make sure you download the free track! - Becky Beach

The debut album from three piece ‘Sebastapol’ is described as being a ‘modern darker reboot of The Police with elements of dub, post-punk, gothic dream pop, and even 1970’s French rock’, and having never listened to 70’s French rock (who has?) I only really had the Police to go on.

Opening track ‘Send the Boats’ definitely shows elements of this Police sound, as well as hints of The Cure, an upbeat track with a good bassline behind it, and spikey guitar. The darker, slower sound is apparent in the track ‘Winter Song’, that seems to pass by without you noticing. This is quite apparent with all the slower tracks on the album, they don’t seem to work as well, shown again with ‘The Bats’. However the album is saved from some good bass driven pulsing tracks like ‘All Eyes’ and ‘Suffer Fools’, which shares similarities to the songs of another three piece, White Lies.

At times, the vocals of singer Nick Powell can get a bit depressing, with the lyrical themes of the record being described as ‘loss, failure, water and birth’, you get the feeling he’s not a man that smiles a lot. His vocals are strange, and he had one of these voices which is somehow similar, but you’re not sure to who, nearest I could come up with is the guy from Simple Minds

Altogether, a good starting effort from Sebastapol, though it’s not going to be going platinum any time soon.

Recommended download: ‘Send The Boats’ - The Courier Online

The debut album from three piece ‘Sebastapol’ is described as being a ‘modern darker reboot of The Police with elements of dub, post-punk, gothic dream pop, and even 1970’s French rock’, and having never listened to 70’s French rock (who has?) I only really had the Police to go on.

Opening track ‘Send the Boats’ definitely shows elements of this Police sound, as well as hints of The Cure, an upbeat track with a good bassline behind it, and spikey guitar. The darker, slower sound is apparent in the track ‘Winter Song’, that seems to pass by without you noticing. This is quite apparent with all the slower tracks on the album, they don’t seem to work as well, shown again with ‘The Bats’. However the album is saved from some good bass driven pulsing tracks like ‘All Eyes’ and ‘Suffer Fools’, which shares similarities to the songs of another three piece, White Lies.

At times, the vocals of singer Nick Powell can get a bit depressing, with the lyrical themes of the record being described as ‘loss, failure, water and birth’, you get the feeling he’s not a man that smiles a lot. His vocals are strange, and he had one of these voices which is somehow similar, but you’re not sure to who, nearest I could come up with is the guy from Simple Minds

Altogether, a good starting effort from Sebastapol, though it’s not going to be going platinum any time soon.

Recommended download: ‘Send The Boats’ - The Courier Online