NEW MUSIC:Just when New Music thought there was little else in Oz to grab our attention, The Middle East come along, chuck their gorgeous five-track mini-album in our direction, and we're sighing with delight once again.
Chances are you’ll be similarly smitten by what you hear from the six-strong band, especially if you have been digging the kind of nu-folk pop which has made quite a splash in recent times.
From Townsville in Queensland, a town within spitting distance of the Great Barrier Reef, The Middle East create broody, hushed, atmospheric and dramatic tunes.
Their story begins back in 2005 when they began playing in and around Townsville. A split and a reunion in 2008 led to the band stepping up a gear, taking things a lot more seriously and recording and releasing a mini-album, The Recordings Of The Middle East.
Their calling card to date has been Blood, a beautifully spooked tune which may recall your first encounter with Grizzly Bear or Justin Vernon.
All subtle bells, gentle fingerpicked guitars and crooned vocals, Bloodis The Middle East in a nutshell.
That track has been making waves for the band at home for quite some time. It was included on a “Singles Club” compilation released by Sydney’s Spunk label earlier this year and a deal between label and band and an EP release followed.
After another bunch of shows up and down Australia’s East Coast, The Middle East’s next step is to finish off recording another album.
Let’s hope that 2010 will see them taking that product to other parts of the world.
www.myspace.com/visitthemiddleeastmusic
