Zoltar Speaks
Formed in 2011 as a two piece acoustic outfit, Old Samuel are a Cardiff based band who got in touch with us letting us know about their EP, 4:05am. What’s striking about this EP is that it was recorded in a single night back in April of 2012, at Cardiff Music Studios – so is the result of one continuous work session. Seeing as they’d gotten in touch with us, and seeing as they’d taken the time to record an EP, we figured we should check things out for ourselves!
Opening proceedings with Boy, the EP gets going with an echoey and eerie start, kicking into things with a sense of rock flowing through the track, yet still managing to adopt a laid back and bass heavy vibe. The only way to describe this is funky laid back rock, it’s kind of cool and soothing whilst at the same time, the sort of thing you know you’re going to throw some shapes to when you see it live. Catchy and melodic throughout, this is an opening track which does what it should, sets the EP up and gets you involved, leading you through things by the hand. Moving on to I’m The Ghost the laid back approach continues, opening with a melodic guitar line before that awesome bass is once again ushered in. The bass is the real key to things here, it elevates the track from something which could be dull and boring to something interesting, moving and emotionally charged. The music on offer here is the sort of thing which evokes images of a dark bar, smokey viewing area and a lonely band on stage, that classic cool image that only certain bands can bring about. As regards a genre to put this in, I’ve no idea….it’s laid back and soothing, yet rooted in rock and indie – all I know is I like it!
Parts picks the pace up for us, this time launching us into an upbeat melee of hammering guitar lines, more urgent vocals and heavy bass rhythms. Using the drums to build the anticipation throughout the opening moments of the track, this is a track which moves way more towards the rock side of things, the sort of track which you know is going to get people moving, singing and joining in with the band. A live track for sure, this one is one I’d love to see them perform to see if they can pull of their sound live – as if they can, we’re onto a winner! It’s only left then for Alone Tonight to close things, once again chilling things out a little and showing off their melodic side once again. It’s striking how they are able to move from chilled to upbeat and back again, without even missing a beat or allowing anything to sound out of place. The abilities within the band are also clear, all of the elements of the band working together to accentuate one another rather than letting one out do the other, closing the EP on a catchy and hooky track and leaving you, the listener, safe in the knowledge that there is real music being produced out there.
Throughout 4:05 from Old Samuel we’re shown a band who can play their instruments, a band who are able to craft songs which connect with the listener, and a band who understand their audience. Laid back and chilled out whilst at the same time, managing to pack enough punch to keep rock fans happy, this is an EP which could quite happily sit on a shelf and be played on a weekly basis – I know for a fact that it’s one I’ll be returning to time and time again.
To find out more about Old Samuel, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls.
Note: Apologies to the guys for the delay on this one, originally written 25/11/12 but I put it in the wrong file….sorry chaps!
Opening proceedings with Boy, the EP gets going with an echoey and eerie start, kicking into things with a sense of rock flowing through the track, yet still managing to adopt a laid back and bass heavy vibe. The only way to describe this is funky laid back rock, it’s kind of cool and soothing whilst at the same time, the sort of thing you know you’re going to throw some shapes to when you see it live. Catchy and melodic throughout, this is an opening track which does what it should, sets the EP up and gets you involved, leading you through things by the hand. Moving on to I’m The Ghost the laid back approach continues, opening with a melodic guitar line before that awesome bass is once again ushered in. The bass is the real key to things here, it elevates the track from something which could be dull and boring to something interesting, moving and emotionally charged. The music on offer here is the sort of thing which evokes images of a dark bar, smokey viewing area and a lonely band on stage, that classic cool image that only certain bands can bring about. As regards a genre to put this in, I’ve no idea….it’s laid back and soothing, yet rooted in rock and indie – all I know is I like it!
Parts picks the pace up for us, this time launching us into an upbeat melee of hammering guitar lines, more urgent vocals and heavy bass rhythms. Using the drums to build the anticipation throughout the opening moments of the track, this is a track which moves way more towards the rock side of things, the sort of track which you know is going to get people moving, singing and joining in with the band. A live track for sure, this one is one I’d love to see them perform to see if they can pull of their sound live – as if they can, we’re onto a winner! It’s only left then for Alone Tonight to close things, once again chilling things out a little and showing off their melodic side once again. It’s striking how they are able to move from chilled to upbeat and back again, without even missing a beat or allowing anything to sound out of place. The abilities within the band are also clear, all of the elements of the band working together to accentuate one another rather than letting one out do the other, closing the EP on a catchy and hooky track and leaving you, the listener, safe in the knowledge that there is real music being produced out there.
Throughout 4:05 from Old Samuel we’re shown a band who can play their instruments, a band who are able to craft songs which connect with the listener, and a band who understand their audience. Laid back and chilled out whilst at the same time, managing to pack enough punch to keep rock fans happy, this is an EP which could quite happily sit on a shelf and be played on a weekly basis – I know for a fact that it’s one I’ll be returning to time and time again.
To find out more about Old Samuel, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls.
Note: Apologies to the guys for the delay on this one, originally written 25/11/12 but I put it in the wrong file….sorry chaps!