Red Snapper release their new album 'Key', a guide to all things 'Snapper'; ghostly sonic landscapes, ripping machine gun rhythms and bone shaking bass. The pioneering UK band continue to break boundaries and invent new sounds whilst staying true to the unique energy that fans have always loved.
On 'Key', their seventh album, original band members Rich Thair (drums), Ali Friend (double bass/vocals) and David Ayers (guitar) are joined by young-blood jazz saxophonist Tom Challenger and guest vocalists Gavin Clarke (UNKLE, Clay Hill) and Eliza Carthy. Mercury Prize nominee Eliza Carthy has been a huge Snapper fan since the early days and her warm powerful voice is a perfect complement to the band's grit.
Written over two years, the album was recorded at Rich Thair's house, the whole of which had been transformed into a temporary studio; upended sofas made isolation booths, amps and mics in bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchen, a trail of cables linking every room. The band cite musical pioneers old and new as their inspirational soundboard. All of them agree they hear different sounds in each shared listening ' take away one member and the Red Snapper sound is lost. It's musical virtuosity without pretention.
Collecting a new generation of music fans through live shows in the UK, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Holland and Belgium; 'Key' is a strong reflection of these surroundings. A reaction to the constantly changing background, whether it be a Black Sea beach, vodka fuelled breakfasts in Moscow, dark London streets or train journeys past Mount Olympus. Also, particularly in the light of recent dismissals of multi-culturalism, the band are proud that 'Key' is a reflection of the myriad of sounds and ideas they are exposed to in the UK. The richness in people and noise.
Formed in 1993, the band's debut 1996 album 'Prince Blimey' combined a unique use of traditional jazz instrumentation with a contemporary approach. However, it was their live show that impressed many and influenced other 'dance' artists to fuse acoustic instruments with electronic sounds with successive releases on Warp Records, 'Making Bones' and 'Our Aim is To Satisfy Red Snapper'. By 2001 the band had played and worked with artists including The Prodigy, David Holmes, Björk and The Fugees; however, finding themselves ushered in a commercial direction, the fiercely independent trio split from Warp, subsequently concentrating on solo projects.
Two years in the making, from a band who met nearly 20 years ago, 'Key' is full of dark soul and blistering passion. Red Snapper will follow up the album with an extensive tour of Europe and are looking forward to returning to festival stages, where they belong, throughout the summer of 2011.
redsnapperofficial.com
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