We are honoured to bring you an exclusive listen to the debut single from the magnificent Naarm/Melbourne band Velvet Parade, newly signed to the esteemed Kasumuen Records label.
‘Ghosts’ has a statuesque presence – tinted with a gothic darkness and embellished by thundering whiskey-soaked throbbing vocals that evoke a dingy den of iniquity in the early hours of the morning, filled with smoke, indulgence and just a hint of regret.
Antipodean genetic particles can be detected floating in the half light – a little Nick Cave, a little Dave Graney, a dash of The Triffids and Cousin Tony, with some hints of others like Tindersticks. You get the picture: theatrical, posed, luscious and dark, a vampire presence and a rich, decadent opulence. All the trappings of an hedonistic existence, posed and exhilarating.
This is quite frankly a stunning debut from a band that has only been together a year or so.
What a magnificent debut. ‘Ghost’ was recorded by Loki Lockwood at Soundpark Studios
and mixed by Lockwood and Velvet Parade, mastered by Lockwood at Creepy Hollow.
This is a fine example of what I call the Marrickville Sound – veteran experienced musicians creating new and innovative stuff in their second, third or even more lives, with members of the band all from other magnificent outfits:
Ripley Hood (Lime Spiders et al) – vocals
Vincent J Kramer (Cold Harbour) – guitars
Don Drum (Fraudband) – drums
Pete Azzopardi (Claire Birchall’s Phantom Hitchhikers) – bass, backing vocals
Ashley Jones (Matt Malone & The Holy Spirits) – keyboards
‘Ghost’ is out digitally tomorrow and you will be able to download and stream it here. A physical release will be available in September with a Melbourne launch show with label mates OFF // AXIS and REMIT supporting at the end of that month and interstate shows in October.
Details of the show and tickets can be found here.
