Velodrome
Walthamstow, United Kingdom | Established. Jan 01, 2016 | SELF | AFM
Music
Press
"Mysterious, unique, unusual, pushing the envelope, Bjork visits David Bowie who meets Gary Numan meets Madonna and the whole works bring out this montage of grooviness, whoa that be kinda interesting. angelic vocals, strange brew here. I, Miss Teary handling the station while Bryon figures out who he really is. Guess he has gone for counseling or something the last few days, or maybe he is lost somewhere. Oh well find him soon!" - Indie Music People
"A very special artist". - Tom Robinson , July 2016
After a break it was time for Velodrome. I did not realise at the time but this was in fact organiser Katherine Evans! I wish I’d known, I’d have loved to meet and congratulate her. There was some wonderful unintentional comedy while her sound tech tried to stop the speakers from exploding.
Wow, what a set. With a couple of costume changes (I am so very annoyed the photo of the Tiger onzie did not come out) she was reminiscent of Bowie or Freddie Mercury. Playing guitar and bass with her laptop she reminded me of Laptop (Jessie Hartman’s solo project). Musically her dulcet tones and rhythmic guitar brought to mind The Nields on the guitar songs, but also The Knife on the more electronic tracks.
I was so very happy to be able to buy a CD of her music on the way out. Although tape albums were available; very hip. I was tempted, but having hundreds of tapes accumulated through my teen and student years I try to at least move forward with my technology. (I’m enjoying listening to the CD as I write this). - Weird Walthamstow
"Kate Bush meets medieval minstrels meets the White Stripes" - Oxjam Oxford (UK)
Next up was the charmingly bonkers Velodrome. And what a treat! Orchestrated by Kate Evans, the band was a motley crew of musician friends she’d assembled that day, some meeting for the first time half an hour before the show, and joined by Kate’s Dad on keyboard.
Throughout the set Kate floated between acoustic and electric guitar, and bass, seemingly at a moment’s whim. Her assembled troupe looked to her for guidance throughout as she led them with nods and winks through the songs. It really shouldn’t have worked … but it definitely did!
Kate’s stunning voice held the entire piece together – she sounds more like Kate Bush than Kate Bush does these days. The songs were beautiful, but don’t ask me what they were about – I was too distracted by the animal oven glove backing singers, and unicorn trousers. How exciting that Kate has just joined our all-time faves Dream Nails on bass, and is about to head off on a European tour with them! I’m really intrigued to hear how her voice will fit in with their sound too. - Loud Women
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Velodrome is a queer Alternative rock act from Essex, UK.
A female voice in a male-dominated genre, her songcraft is heavily influenced by medieval and baroque music (she is a trained classical singer), as well as 60s and 70s pop/rock such as The Beach Boys,The Byrds and Electric Light Orchestra; with a punk/ grunge twist.
Live performances involve sock puppets, drag, costumechanges and an exercise bike and tiny trampoline.
Velodrome is also the bass player for UK punk band Dream Nails, who are soon to support US band Cherry Glazerr on European tour in May.
Velodrome's track “Steady Girl” received multiple airplays on BBC Radio6 in July 2016. “Antidote to the Day” was the title track on Goldsmiths university's record label NX Records Mixtape 2016, for which Velodrome headlined a showcase performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Press Reviews:
"A very special artist"
- Tom Robinson, BBC6 Radio 23rd July 2016
"Kate Bush meets medieval minstrels meets the White Stripes"
- Oxjam Oxford, Oct 2016.
"Next up was the charmingly bonkers Velodrome... Throughout the set Kate floated between acoustic and electric guitar, and bass, seemingly at a moment’s whim. Her assembled troupe looked to her for guidance throughout as she led them with nods and winks through the songs.
It really shouldn’t have worked … but it definitely did! Kate’s stunning voice held the entire piece together – she sounds more like Kate Bush than Kate Bush does these days. The songs were beautiful, but don’t ask me what they were about – I was too distracted by the animal oven glove-wearing backing singers, and unicorn trousers." Gig review by Loud Women, April 2017
"Mysterious, unique, unusual, pushing the envelope, Bjork visits
David Bowie who meets Gary Numan meets Madonna and the whole works bring
out this montage of grooviness, whoa that be kinda interesting. Angelic
vocals, strange brew here”
–Live radio commentary, Indie Music People, Jan 2017
Velodrome is currently in the studio recording her debut EP with
producer Harri Chambers (Bat and Ball) and is due to release her first
single, "His Physique" in Summer 2017; for which she is currently working on a music video set in a medieval monastery.
Band Members
Links
