The City Is The Desert (In Disguise)
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | SELF
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Bret listens to The City Is The Desert (In Disguise).
The City Is The Desert (In Disguise) has the potential to become South Africa’s next big rock band. Having been brought together through an online advertisement, HollowAxis and Mike Barrow went on numerous trips to the Kalahari to write material and play music (very Jim Morrison like). Savage heat, sandstorms, Fenders, and few trips later, TCITD have released their debut self-titled EP.
TCITD’s self-titled EP is an amalgamation of soft rock, alternative flair and well-considered guitar licks. Reverb, distortion and trippy fills balanced with intelligent song structure presents an EP which is well-worth a listen. Yip, this EP is knocked straight out of left field, and leaves you with that ‘Huh? That’s pretty cool’ feeling. Interestingly, TCITD have one of the most competent South African rock voices that I’ve heard in a while… Gosh… Whatever these guys got up to in the Kalahari certainly paid off!
My excitement for the progress of this band is palpable. A few gigs, some more recordings and some decent PR could seriously put this band on the map…
85/100
- Bret D
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http://www.musicreview.co.za/2010/03/23/review-the-city-is-the-desert-in-disguise-self-titled-ep/ - http://www.musicreview.co.za
Discography
The City Is The Desert EP
(Beginning of 2010)
Radio airplay on local University stations, video on MK music channel. Streaming play on last.fm etc (Free download too)
Photos
Bio
The City Is The Desert (In Disguise) was formed after Mike/HollowAxis met via an online advert.
Two weeks later they began recording what would become the first EP.
When this was completed other members were added to create a live lineup that immediatley began gigging.
The band is fiercely independant. Self producing/recording all material in various locations (Their homes & the kalahari make an apperance) and often making each item of merch individually by hand.
Our music is free for download, piracy is our friend. It brings people to our shows...
Our off kilter sound is born from a marrige of our very wide ranging influences.
The loud & noisy DIY aesthetic of Drive Like Jehu, Sonic Youth, The Dismemberment Plan, The Blood Brothers, At The Drive-In & Slint is balanced with a more pop/songwriting focus of artists like QOTSA, Jeff Buckley, Moros Eros, Obits and Radiohead.
All of these elements bleed into the songs & get twisted to our liking.
Our chaotic live shows often take an unpredictable twist. We try to bring something unique to each event and loath to perform exactly the same song sequence/live twist more than once.
Each & every single show we perform gains us a die-hard fan.
...and that's how we will build our little empire.
One show at a time.
Since gigging began in early 2010 the band has risen to the attention of local media and gained reviews/interviews and coverage via various platforms. Apperances on the South African music channel MK and reviews in various publications.
Bookings via Jean Michel of Southern Pulse (Jhb South Africa).
Links
