Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:08a.m.
From: London, UK
Who: Florence Welch (songwriter, vocals). The Machine: Rob Ackroyd (guitar), Chris Hayden (drums), Isabella Summers (keyboards) and Tom Monger (harp)
The Scoop: Florence & The Machine are a terriffic new pop act from the UK. A year ago they were an unknown act who got some early slots at a few festivals (and you could see why they were booked even as an unknown, unsigned act). There was then the familiar ritual of A&R bods from the major labels in London pursuing Florence for a signature. She was eventually wooed by Universal Island Records and now there is the quaintest of things - a new album (Lungs).
But what about the music? Well, she has described it before as Melodramatic Popular Song. There are a large number of influences and it has this quirky indie folk feel about it. To give you an indication of how what's involved her debut album Lungs is made of harps, choirs, drums, elevator shafts, bits of metal, love, death, fireworks, string quartets, stamping, sighing, strange electronic wailing, lambs, lions, sick, broken glass, blood, moon, stars, drink, coffins, teeth, water, wedding dresses... and the silences in between. Some of the percussion on the album was created from banging on the studio wall. The production is fantastic and comes together well.
If you enjoy Gothic imagery, fairytale flights of fantasy and really good pop songs then you are in the right place. And others agree with Florence just this week being announced as one of the finalists for Best UK & Ireland New Act at the MTV European Music Awards.
Florence & The Machine have the ability to haunt & fascinate. Enjoy.
Shuffle with: Little Boots, Ting Tings, La Roux, Kate Bush
Play on: Sunday lunchtime as the food cooks
Links: official site, twitter
Next gig: on tour across UK & Europe. Be nice if we saw her in summer.
If you want to suggest some new music to put here in the future - just send me a message through the site.