CANTALOUPE / GALAXIANS TOUR 2012
24.10 - SHEFFIELD Green Room
25.10 - LEEDS Wharf Chambers
26.10 - MANCHESTER Fuel
27.10 - NOTTINGHAM 1 Thoresby St
28.10 - LONDON Old Blue Last

CANTALOUPE

Cantaloupe is a trio from Nottingham. Formed in January 2011 the band consists of ex-Souvaris members John Simson, Aaron Doyle and David Stockwell. Together they combine synth pop, Afropop and Krautrock to create a sound crammed with the kind of charm and catchiness you'd associate with acts such as Stereolab, Quack Quack, and Neu!

Bass guitar, drums and synth form the basis of songs such as 'Hubbub', a dreamy, cosmic repeatorock journey along a dimly lit autobahn at night. 'Horse' manages to combine elements of classic Tortoise, Stereolab, and even classic English synth pop bands such as Depeche Mode and OMD, to create a song full of pop hooks: all infectious, swirling synth melodies expertly and tastefully underpinned by a pounding rock-solid rhythm section. Argueably their finest song, however, is 'Teapot', which emulates some of both Stereolab and Quack Quack's most soaring moments. Put simply it's just a great instrumental composition, with the kind of catchy melody that serves as proof that you don't need lyrics or a vocal line to make a great pop song.

Cantaloupe's debut EP 'Teapot' is out now on Hello Thor.

LINKS:
http://cantaloupemusic.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cantaloupe/226813987350939?v=info
http://soundcloud.com/hellocantaloupe

GALAXIANS
Matt Woodward and Jed Skinner met in June 2011. Armed with a shared love for the output of classic disco, boogie and house labels Salsoul, Prelude, Sleeping Bag, SAM, and Trax, and the work of pioneering mixers and DJs Shep Pettibone, Francois K, Tee Scott, and Larry Levan, they began writing music as Galaxians in July 2011.

Galaxians combine elements of classic New York boogie, early 80s electro and synth-funk in songs such as 'Fire And Magic' and 'Electroads'. Their sound combines classic Roland TR-606, 808 and 909 drum machine percussion, hand claps and snare drum sounds, and programmed synth basslines, with live parts played on a Roland JX-3P synthesizer, and acoustic drums. The result is unashamed party music, from the behind-the-beat proto-Miami funk of 'Mermaids Of Miami' to 'Fire And Magic (extended version)' which seeks to emulate classic post-disco tracks such as Patrice Rushen's 'Get Off (You Fascinate Me)' and 'Hopscotch' by Gwen Guthrie.

Jed Skinner's synth melodies wrap themselves around the subconscious whilst his solos bristle with playful intent, heavy syncopation and wild pitch wheel bending, a la Dam Funk. Matt Woodward's drumming seeks to emulate the work of pioneering players such as Salsoul Records' Earl Young, from the in-the-pocket swing of 'Fire And Magic' to the behind-the-beat groove and polyrhythmic hi-hat accents of 'Mermaids Of Miami'.

The tour will coincide with the release of Galaxians first vinyl release, a split white label 12" with Leeds band Runners, to be released by new Leeds label Stargaze. The record will be part of a very limited edition first press and is expected to disappear as quickly as it appears!

LINKS:
http://galaxians.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galaxians/246625265426098
http://soundcloud.com/galaxians