Music
Press
“The kind of band that leaves journalists scraping for adjectives to describe the sheer girth of sound on offer. Monstrous ‘soundscapes’ and downbeat torch-songs – ornamented by Elsie Martins’ brooding vocals – with an ‘80s shoegaze vibe. Grab the nearest sodden overcoat, for this is truly The Big Music”.
– Shot by both sides – April 2008
- Shot by Both Sides - London UK
“Starting with an evil cackle, strings build to a crescendo framing the beguiling voice of frontwoman Elsie Martins. While the song laments the lack of heroes today, on this early evidence it seems anyone looking for timeless sounding female vocalists may have found a new one”.
- Kruger Magazine, UK January 2008
- Kruger Magazine (www.krugermagazine.com)
Live Review, Buffalo Bar, Islington, London, 3rd January 2008.
'' …the most interesting band of the night is headliners The Phantom Lovers a four-piece of three gals and one guy. Toting a violin, Ebow bass, drums and a guitar between them, they create dark, enigmatic soundscapes. ''
- AG, TNT Magazine, London , January 2008
- TNT Magazine London
Discography
Debut Single "Heroes & Idols (produced by Richard Causon, who's worked with Kings of Leon & Rufus Wainwright). The single is a self release (on digital) which came out in January 2008.
Tracks featured on BBC Introducing show on BBC 6music radio. Plus a special full hour feature on Diesel U Music radio 87.7fm in May 2008, where the band played a live studio session.
Live television performance with Elsie Martins playing a solo on Canadian Music TV network Musique Plus in July 2007.
Photos
Bio
"Low-lit music, brooding tales of the heart, a torched romantic soul...smoke and mirrors..."
Early in 2007 Phantom Lovers began to form, taking the shape of strange yet soothing things:
a guitar crouched menacingly in an alley,
a voice to still your beating heart,
a bass guitar dreaming of a broken cello,
a viola with an eye on your cufflinks,
a rag & bone man conjuring up a storm...
The Phantom Lovers create a subtle combination of bitter-sweet pockets of sound, at times bold, bruised, thunderous and yet delicate, soft and devastatingly seductive. It's light and shade, it's smoke and mirrors...
In March 07 the time was right for Montreal-born singer-songwriter, Elsie Martins, to start a full-blown musical venture using her initial acoustic compositions as a jumping-off point. The addition of Jonny, Steve and Stefania introduced a wide spectrum of sounds; a collaboration that spanned their diverse musical backgrounds and pushed both the music and the musicians into uncharted territory.
January 08 saw the release (on download) of The Phantom Lovers' debut single, Heroes & Idols with special live acoustic b-side, Craven. Both tracks produced and engineered by Richard Causon (Kings of Leon, Rufus Wainwright) and self-released by the band.
In January 08, the band was featured on Tom Robinson's BBC Introducing radio show on 6music, which showcases the best up and coming unsigned acts. In May 08 Diesel U Music has showcased the band as one of London's best up and coming acts, and asked the band to host a full hour and play a live acoustic set in their London studios. The band also received glowing reviews in well known UK magazines, TNT and Kruger, as well as a full page feature in the established Canadian publication, Bang Bang.
London-based but hailing from across the globe, The Phantom Lovers will be playing across at least two continents in the coming months, with UK gigs scheduled throughout 2008 and with live TV appearances already under their belt in Canada (Elsie having played a solo acoustic set on Canada's very own MusicTV Network, Musiqueplus). More high jinks are planned for Canada and the US in 2008.
Wherever you turn, The Phantom Lovers will be there...
For bookings and more information including video, log onto:
www.myspace.com/thephantomloversuk
www.youtube/phantomlovers
Links
