Semaphore
July 13th, 2009 by sparky
Semaphore will perform at The Big Chill 2009.
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Semaphore – Biography
Hailing from Rome and Dublin respectively, three piece London based band Semaphore have been playing together in various forms since meeting in Rome in 2004.
Finding their own individual identity in Italy, the band swiftly moved to London, where they found varying success as a larger five-piece group.
Their original incarnation, however, soon imploded as certain volatile personal situations came to a head, causing the remaining three members of Louis, Loris and Marco, to re-assess their future together.
As sod’s law would have it, the disbandment coincided with the beginning of a fresh UK tour. The three were forced to cancel the string of dates, save for a final London date at Camden Barfly as their swan song.
Stripped of the samplers and effects pedals, which previously enclosed them in a restrictive wall of sound, the Barfly gig was a surprising revelation for the band, seeing Semaphore emerge with a previously un-revealed fragility and beguiling intensity. Newly stripped bare, the band had found their wings.
Semaphore’s self-titled debut album was released on November 15th 2008.
Recorded at Oilville Studios in north London (which has seen seminal bands such as The Rakes and Bloc Party pass through its gates), the record was overseen by legendary owner/producer/engineer Tom Aitkenhead. Each track on the album displays the mature sound of a well-honed power trio who strike a gutsy blow against the current identikit indie kids who make up the current London music scene.
Pitched somewhere between the rich storytelling of Johnny Cash and the hypnotic siren-call of Spiritualized, the band’s sound is expertly held together by Brennan’s distinctive deep, dark and gravel baritone, that suggests a maturity far beyond his 23 years.
Semaphore sings songs about drinking, women and everyday disillusion. Their words are peppered with imagery from nature, the Bible and even the wrong side of the bar.
Cementing their influence on the current north London music scene, Semaphore has been involved in promoting the Why? Club night at Proud Galleries in Camden and now host the monthly Stabokki! Night at The Wilmington Arms (Angel)
Semaphore are;
Louis Brennan – lead vocals, guitar
Loris Barbisan – bass guitar, BV
Marco Ryan-Testa – drums, BV
Semaphore will perform at The Big Chill 2009.
A-Z line-up | Buy tickets
