Rock Ensemble Exovex Featuring Members of King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, NIN and Devo To Release Debut CD Fall 2014

Greenville, South Carolina - Exovex, arguably one of the most talked about prog ensembles of 2014, prepares to release its debut album 'Radio Silence', featuring Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson) and Josh Freese (NIN, A Perfect Circle, Devo, The Vandals) on drums. The new project reflects progressive rock icons of the past while staying firmly rooted in the modern art rock genre. To date, two tracks have been released under the Exovex name: “Daylight” and “Seeker's Prayer”. The tracks are pre-released versions of songs that will appear on 'Radio Silence', which is set for an October 2014 release. Both tracks are available for free download on the band's website.

Exovex is the creation of South Carolina singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dale Simmons. Simmons explains, “The central theme of 'Radio Silence' addresses the psychological effects of long term, self-imposed isolation and detachment. It also speaks to personal circumstances that drive us to make life-changing decisions...both good and bad.”

About the Exovex sound, Simmons comments, “I have great appreciation for the work of artists like Steven Wilson, Peter Gabriel and David Gilmour. There are certainly degrees of influence by those artists in my music…some greater than others”. He is particularly influenced by the progressive rock icon Pink Floyd and reverently reflects Gilmouresque melody and phrasing as a guitarist.

As singer, songwriter, guitarist and front man for several bands since the early nineties, Simmons covered a wide spectrum of musical genres ranging from progressive art rock to jazz and funk. The most notable was the South Carolina-based band, Furious Styles. Several songs from their 1997 self-titled debut went into rotation on East Coast commercial radio stations. Polygram Records (now merged with Universal Music Group) took notice, and was working on a recording deal until creative differences caused the band’s demise in 1998.

In 1999 Simmons moved to Europe and would spend the next seven years, refining his songwriting and music production skills. He built a modest studio in his apartment at Chateau d’Uriage (a 13th century castle in the Rhône-Alpes region of France) and began experimenting with sound design. Although only one CD release ('No Real Direction') resulted from the expatriate effort, the experience would have a lasting impact on his songwriting and artistic vision. Simmons overdubbed all instruments for 'No Real Direction' with the exception of drums, enlisting Chilean drummer Cristian Perez (Patti Labelle) as percussionist. Simmons and Perez co-produced and mixed the project in Perez’s Strasbourg, France studio.

Repatriating to the United States in 2006, Simmons built a new studio and began working on a series of new compositions - some of which would eventually become 'Radio Silence'.

In 2011, he recruited world-class drummers Gavin Harrison and Josh Freese to play on his new solo recording project. “I asked Gavin and Josh to do whatever they thought would best serve the track, I gave them complete creative control over their contribution to the recording,” Simmons comments. “That unknown creative variable was critical for me because it made the effort a true collaboration. Chance, chaos and the unknown can produce beautiful results if you can just let it happen. That’s more difficult than it sounds”.

This concept of an “unknown creative variable” led Simmons to conceive the name Exovex. He explains, “The name of the project is a simple mathematical function, “x(x)” (pronounced “X of X” or “Exovex”). It's impossible to know the resulting outcome of the function because the function is undefined. It could be anything.”

The Exovex debut album 'Radio Silence' is scheduled for October 2014 release. A special limited CD edition (1000 signed copies) will be made available exclusively through the band's website.
Subscribe for Exovex email updates at www.exovex.com, and stay tuned for the debut album 'Radio Silence'.

Music Downloads:
www.exovex.com (redirects to www.dalesimmons.com)
www.dalesimmons.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Rock Ensemble Exovex Featuring Members of King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, NIN and Devo To Release Debut CD Fall 2014

Greenville, South Carolina - Exovex, arguably one of the most talked about prog ensembles of 2014, prepares to release its debut album 'Radio Silence', featuring Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson) and Josh Freese (NIN, A Perfect Circle, Devo, The Vandals) on drums. The new project reflects progressive rock icons of the past while staying firmly rooted in the modern art rock genre. To date, two tracks have been released under the Exovex name: “Daylight” and “Seeker's Prayer”. The tracks are pre-released versions of songs that will appear on 'Radio Silence', which is set for an October 2014 release. Both tracks are available for free download on the band's website.

Exovex is the creation of South Carolina singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dale Simmons. Simmons explains, “The central theme of 'Radio Silence' addresses the psychological effects of long term, self-imposed isolation and detachment. It also speaks to personal circumstances that drive us to make life-changing decisions...both good and bad.”

About the Exovex sound, Simmons comments, “I have great appreciation for the work of artists like Steven Wilson, Peter Gabriel and David Gilmour. There are certainly degrees of influence by those artists in my music…some greater than others”. He is particularly influenced by the progressive rock icon Pink Floyd and reverently reflects Gilmouresque melody and phrasing as a guitarist.

As singer, songwriter, guitarist and front man for several bands since the early nineties, Simmons covered a wide spectrum of musical genres ranging from progressive art rock to jazz and funk. The most notable was the South Carolina-based band, Furious Styles. Several songs from their 1997 self-titled debut went into rotation on East Coast commercial radio stations. Polygram Records (now merged with Universal Music Group) took notice, and was working on a recording deal until creative differences caused the band’s demise in 1998.

In 1999 Simmons moved to Europe and would spend the next seven years, refining his songwriting and music production skills. He built a modest studio in his apartment at Chateau d’Uriage (a 13th century castle in the Rhône-Alpes region of France) and began experimenting with sound design. Although only one CD release ('No Real Direction') resulted from the expatriate effort, the experience would have a lasting impact on his songwriting and artistic vision. Simmons overdubbed all instruments for 'No Real Direction' with the exception of drums, enlisting Chilean drummer Cristian Perez (Patti Labelle) as percussionist. Simmons and Perez co-produced and mixed the project in Perez’s Strasbourg, France studio.

Repatriating to the United States in 2006, Simmons built a new studio and began working on a series of new compositions - some of which would eventually become 'Radio Silence'.

In 2011, he recruited world-class drummers Gavin Harrison and Josh Freese to play on his new solo recording project. “I asked Gavin and Josh to do whatever they thought would best serve the track, I gave them complete creative control over their contribution to the recording,” Simmons comments. “That unknown creative variable was critical for me because it made the effort a true collaboration. Chance, chaos and the unknown can produce beautiful results if you can just let it happen. That’s more difficult than it sounds”.

This concept of an “unknown creative variable” led Simmons to conceive the name Exovex. He explains, “The name of the project is a simple mathematical function, “x(x)” (pronounced “X of X” or “Exovex”). It's impossible to know the resulting outcome of the function because the function is undefined. It could be anything.”

The Exovex debut album 'Radio Silence' is scheduled for October 2014 release. A special limited CD edition (1000 signed copies) will be made available exclusively through the band's website.
Subscribe for Exovex email updates at www.exovex.com, and stay tuned for the debut album 'Radio Silence'.

Music Downloads:
www.exovex.com (redirects to www.dalesimmons.com)
www.dalesimmons.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Prog Duo Days Between Stations Release Limited Edition Vinyl Of Critically Acclaimed Album 'In Extremis'

Los Angeles, CA - Much to the excitement of vinyl enthusiasts around the globe, prog duo Days Between Stations have released their critically acclaimed new album 'In Extremis' on a limited edition DBL LP!

Says guitarist Sepand Samzadeh, “We put a great deal of emphasis on creating a mood by way of sonic textures. The CD was mastered so that the listener could CRANK THE VOLUME ON THE STEREO. If you really want to hear THE COMPLEXITY OF ALL THE LAYERS AND SONIC TEXTURES, the vinyl record is the way to go.”

Possibly the most anticipated prog release of 2013, Days Between Stations' sophomore album 'In Extremis' was released on May 15, 2013. Boasting an incredible guest line-up of music legends featuring Colin Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (YES), Peter Banks (YES/Flash) Tony Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood (YES/CIRCA:), Days Between Stations reached a new level of creative artistry on their second release.

Founded in 2003 by guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes, the duo named themselves after the cult novel by Steve Erickson and have devoted themselves to, as they say, Art Rock and Post Prog - music that reflects their varied influences, as well as shared disregard for stylistic boundaries. This eclecticism continues apace on 'In Extremis'. At times the music recalls Peter Gabriel or 'Duke'-era Genesis (as on the propulsive “Visionary”, which features Sherwood's multi-layered vocals and Levin's driving Stick bass work), or an ambient marriage between Pink Floyd and Lisa Gerrard and Debussy (“In Utero”), or even a cross between Ultravox and Marillion and 'Abacab'-era Genesis (the Moulding-sung “The Man Who Dies Two Times”).

Here's what the press has raved about 'In Extremis':

“The fact that Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin and Peter Banks help create this majestic piece of symphonic prog only made this a stronger contender for prog album of the year.” - Mark Johnson, Sea of Tranquility

“Indeed, Days Between Stations nestles an artsy approach into its repertoire, often contrasting the soloists' tenacious yet purposeful excursions, and seeded by the leaders' wide-ranging agenda.” - Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz

“But the late Yes founder (Peter Banks) is just the beginning of the dark-hued wonders to be found on this neo-prog triumph. Accessing an endlessly fascinating palette that also takes in ambient and classically inspired moments, Oscar Fuentes and Sepand Samzadeh brilliantly explore themes of life, and death, and everything in between.” - Nick Deriso, Something Else Reviews

“Here's an album that deserves a place in everyone's record collection. The superb artwork and quality of the booklet and packaging makes it a must-buy as opposed to (legal) download, for me at least. Support truly great musicians going out on a limb to bring you truly great, original progressive rock music as good as some of the classics.” - Brian Watson, DPRP

“Days Between Stations have really matured into a first class symphonic prog band with the music created on In Extremis. There are so many wonderful moments where the music takes flight and goes in completely unexpected directions. And that’s one of the things we’ve come to love about prog. In Extremis fulfills all musical expectations in that sense.” - Jerry Lucky

Days Between Stations promotional video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4lZX15qIGQ

To purchase:
LPs:
Days Between Stations website:
http://daysbetweenstations.com/in-extremis-now-available-in-double-vinyl-lp-limited-edition/

CDs:
Days Between Stations website: http://daysbetweenstations.com/store/
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DaysBetweenStations
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?seller=AHYHSMF7UJWSD

Digital:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-extremis/id641284924
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DaysBetweenStations
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?seller=AHYHSMF7UJWSD
eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/days-between-stations/in-extremis/14073410/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Days_Between_Stations?id=Avn26mluz4n6koimyvcap5zhxzy

For more information: http://daysbetweenstations.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Prog Duo Days Between Stations Release Limited Edition Vinyl Of Critically Acclaimed Album 'In Extremis'

Los Angeles, CA - Much to the excitement of vinyl enthusiasts around the globe, prog duo Days Between Stations have released their critically acclaimed new album 'In Extremis' on a limited edition DBL LP!

Says guitarist Sepand Samzadeh, “We put a great deal of emphasis on creating a mood by way of sonic textures. The CD was mastered so that the listener could CRANK THE VOLUME ON THE STEREO. If you really want to hear THE COMPLEXITY OF ALL THE LAYERS AND SONIC TEXTURES, the vinyl record is the way to go.”

Possibly the most anticipated prog release of 2013, Days Between Stations' sophomore album 'In Extremis' was released on May 15, 2013. Boasting an incredible guest line-up of music legends featuring Colin Moulding (XTC), Rick Wakeman (YES), Peter Banks (YES/Flash) Tony Levin (King Crimson/Peter Gabriel) and Billy Sherwood (YES/CIRCA:), Days Between Stations reached a new level of creative artistry on their second release.

Founded in 2003 by guitarist Sepand Samzadeh and keyboardist Oscar Fuentes, the duo named themselves after the cult novel by Steve Erickson and have devoted themselves to, as they say, Art Rock and Post Prog - music that reflects their varied influences, as well as shared disregard for stylistic boundaries. This eclecticism continues apace on 'In Extremis'. At times the music recalls Peter Gabriel or 'Duke'-era Genesis (as on the propulsive “Visionary”, which features Sherwood's multi-layered vocals and Levin's driving Stick bass work), or an ambient marriage between Pink Floyd and Lisa Gerrard and Debussy (“In Utero”), or even a cross between Ultravox and Marillion and 'Abacab'-era Genesis (the Moulding-sung “The Man Who Dies Two Times”).

Here's what the press has raved about 'In Extremis':

“The fact that Rick Wakeman, Tony Levin and Peter Banks help create this majestic piece of symphonic prog only made this a stronger contender for prog album of the year.” - Mark Johnson, Sea of Tranquility

“Indeed, Days Between Stations nestles an artsy approach into its repertoire, often contrasting the soloists' tenacious yet purposeful excursions, and seeded by the leaders' wide-ranging agenda.” - Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz

“But the late Yes founder (Peter Banks) is just the beginning of the dark-hued wonders to be found on this neo-prog triumph. Accessing an endlessly fascinating palette that also takes in ambient and classically inspired moments, Oscar Fuentes and Sepand Samzadeh brilliantly explore themes of life, and death, and everything in between.” - Nick Deriso, Something Else Reviews

“Here's an album that deserves a place in everyone's record collection. The superb artwork and quality of the booklet and packaging makes it a must-buy as opposed to (legal) download, for me at least. Support truly great musicians going out on a limb to bring you truly great, original progressive rock music as good as some of the classics.” - Brian Watson, DPRP

“Days Between Stations have really matured into a first class symphonic prog band with the music created on In Extremis. There are so many wonderful moments where the music takes flight and goes in completely unexpected directions. And that’s one of the things we’ve come to love about prog. In Extremis fulfills all musical expectations in that sense.” - Jerry Lucky

Days Between Stations promotional video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4lZX15qIGQ

To purchase:
LPs:
Days Between Stations website:
http://daysbetweenstations.com/in-extremis-now-available-in-double-vinyl-lp-limited-edition/

CDs:
Days Between Stations website: http://daysbetweenstations.com/store/
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DaysBetweenStations
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?seller=AHYHSMF7UJWSD

Digital:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-extremis/id641284924
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/DaysBetweenStations
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aag/main?seller=AHYHSMF7UJWSD
eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/days-between-stations/in-extremis/14073410/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/Days_Between_Stations?id=Avn26mluz4n6koimyvcap5zhxzy

For more information: http://daysbetweenstations.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, Billy James, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Prog Legends Curved Air Featuring Sonja Kristina Release Eagerly Anticipated New CD 'North Star'

“CURVED AIR, with a real band attitude and a zest for life; this is a band you want to see live for the sheer artistry of how to deliver the musical goods.”- Lee Dorian, Classic Rock

London, UK – Much to the anticipation of press and music fans worldwide, UK progressive rock legends Curved Air, featuring iconic vocalist Sonja Kristina, released a new CD 'North Star' via Cherry Red Records on March 17, 2014! 'North Star' is the band's first album featuring new studio material since 1976! The full-length CD features a mixture of re-recordings, cover songs and seven new original compositions, all housed in a lavish digi-pack.

Says Sonja, “I am proud to release into the world Curved Air's 'North Star'. The North Star is the fixed point in the sky about which all the stars seen from the Northern Hemisphere rotate. A star linked to the celestial magnetic energies of the North Pole. Following its light, the lost, the wanderer, the explorer and the warrior have been guided throughout time. The North Star helps us know where we are and where we are going. Curved Air's album 'North Star' is born of the musicianship and dedication of this brilliant incarnation of Curved Air - renowned for the audience's rapturous response to their concerts. The North Star album material reflects on humanity, love, solutions , perspectives and staying human through changing times and revolutions, virtual lives and delicate attractions - love and shamanic sub atomic worlds.”

Curved Air, originally formed in 1969, is a groundbreaking progressive art-rock band renowned for their showmanship. Each member pushed the boundaries of possibilities for rock music performance. Vocalist Sonja Kristina won the hearts of a generation of music lovers and was voted top British Female Vocalist of the 1970's whilst the three top twenty albums that this lineup released are regarded as classics.

Breaking through from the underground scene into top of the early '70s album charts, Curved Air's musicians hailed from mixed artistic backgrounds, including classic, folk and electronic sound. The resulting sound of the band is a mixture of progressive rock, folk rock and fusion with classical elements. Along with High Tide and East of Eden, Curved Air was one of the first rock bands after It's a Beautiful Day and The United States of America to feature a violin. Considered (according to AllMusic) “one of the most dramatically accomplished of all the bands lumped into Britain's late-'60s prog explosion, Curved Air released eight studio albums (the first three of which broke the UK Top 20) and had a hit single with 'Back Street Luv', which reached number 4 in the UK. Numerous band splits and reformations have occurred since then but the current line-up of Sonja Kristina, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, Chris Harris, Robert Norton and Paul Sax have been together since 2009”. With classic era guitarist Kirby Gregory rejoining the band in 2013.

Curved Air's music was also described as “'Art Rock', the quasi classical imprints of Terry Riley hooked onto beautiful and demonic violin combined with electronic adventurous synths and interwoven with brilliant guitar wizardry mesmerisingly embroidered by the subliminal and exotic presence of a unique girl lead singer Sonja Kristina”. Though progressive music pioneers they were hailed as Pop Stars when the sultry “Back Street Luv” was a Top 5 hit in 1971.

Sonja Kristina, who topped the British Music female vocalist polls throughout the '70s was the first UK female lead singer fronting a Rock band. She has been the constant flame leading Curved Air through the decades. Today, vibrant and edgy as ever, Sonja, the original prog diva gives a charismatic and highly visual performance. Looking like a glamorous gipsy queen with her flowing red hair and dressed in sparkly black, that signature voice is still as smoky and seductive as ever as she spins around the stage around the excellent musicians who are Curved Air. Phil Oakey recently recalled, “When I formed The Human League it was because I was such a huge Sonja Kristina fan and I still am.”

“Sonja Kristina prowls the front of the stage... expertly playing off the energy of all the performers with her.” - Alex Lynham, PROG magazine

All of the players impress. Although only drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa is from the original line-up, Sonja has found some stunning new instrumentalists who immerse the audience in a set of swirling, whirling solos that emphasize moods and nuances and floating waves of sound that act as a counterpoint to Sonja's dramatic sense of theatricality. Much to the excitement of Curved Air fans, classic-era guitarist Kirby Gregory returns to the fold for 'North Star'!

Says Sonja, “The performances were created and produced collaboratively by Curved Air with the expressive and intricate touch of the original drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa, and the mighty eloquence of Kirby Gregory (the composer of 'Purple Speed Queen' and 'UHF'), interwoven with the passionate melodic wizardry of violinist Paul Sax, and the atmospheric extemporization and groove of ambient sonic explorer Robert Norton on keyboards. Kirby returns to Curved Air after 35 years and has added his identity and creativity to the sound. His input and presence in the band feels so right to us all as we prepare to bring new Curved Air material to the world stage. Chris Harris on bass earths the music with drive and precision within the moods, motifs and fire of Curved Air - who are - as always - a dynamic creative collective of virtuoso performers.”

Curved Air is: Vocalist Sonja Kristina, Drummer Florian Pilkington Miksa, Guitarist Kirby Gregory, Violinist Paul Sax, Bass Chris Harris and Keyboard Player Robert Norton.

To order Curved Air's 'North Star':
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4549
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/north-star/id843620008

To purchase Curved Air's “Stay Human” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/stay-human-single/id815160384

www.curvedair.com
www.facebook.com/curvedair
www.reverbnation.com/curvedair
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3894

Curved Air is managed by QEDG Management info@qedg.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Prog Legends Curved Air Featuring Sonja Kristina Release Eagerly Anticipated New CD 'North Star'

“CURVED AIR, with a real band attitude and a zest for life; this is a band you want to see live for the sheer artistry of how to deliver the musical goods.”- Lee Dorian, Classic Rock

London, UK – Much to the anticipation of press and music fans worldwide, UK progressive rock legends Curved Air, featuring iconic vocalist Sonja Kristina, released a new CD 'North Star' via Cherry Red Records on March 17, 2014! 'North Star' is the band's first album featuring new studio material since 1976! The full-length CD features a mixture of re-recordings, cover songs and seven new original compositions, all housed in a lavish digi-pack.

Says Sonja, “I am proud to release into the world Curved Air's 'North Star'. The North Star is the fixed point in the sky about which all the stars seen from the Northern Hemisphere rotate. A star linked to the celestial magnetic energies of the North Pole. Following its light, the lost, the wanderer, the explorer and the warrior have been guided throughout time. The North Star helps us know where we are and where we are going. Curved Air's album 'North Star' is born of the musicianship and dedication of this brilliant incarnation of Curved Air - renowned for the audience's rapturous response to their concerts. The North Star album material reflects on humanity, love, solutions , perspectives and staying human through changing times and revolutions, virtual lives and delicate attractions - love and shamanic sub atomic worlds.”

Curved Air, originally formed in 1969, is a groundbreaking progressive art-rock band renowned for their showmanship. Each member pushed the boundaries of possibilities for rock music performance. Vocalist Sonja Kristina won the hearts of a generation of music lovers and was voted top British Female Vocalist of the 1970's whilst the three top twenty albums that this lineup released are regarded as classics.

Breaking through from the underground scene into top of the early '70s album charts, Curved Air's musicians hailed from mixed artistic backgrounds, including classic, folk and electronic sound. The resulting sound of the band is a mixture of progressive rock, folk rock and fusion with classical elements. Along with High Tide and East of Eden, Curved Air was one of the first rock bands after It's a Beautiful Day and The United States of America to feature a violin. Considered (according to AllMusic) “one of the most dramatically accomplished of all the bands lumped into Britain's late-'60s prog explosion, Curved Air released eight studio albums (the first three of which broke the UK Top 20) and had a hit single with 'Back Street Luv', which reached number 4 in the UK. Numerous band splits and reformations have occurred since then but the current line-up of Sonja Kristina, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, Chris Harris, Robert Norton and Paul Sax have been together since 2009”. With classic era guitarist Kirby Gregory rejoining the band in 2013.

Curved Air's music was also described as “'Art Rock', the quasi classical imprints of Terry Riley hooked onto beautiful and demonic violin combined with electronic adventurous synths and interwoven with brilliant guitar wizardry mesmerisingly embroidered by the subliminal and exotic presence of a unique girl lead singer Sonja Kristina”. Though progressive music pioneers they were hailed as Pop Stars when the sultry “Back Street Luv” was a Top 5 hit in 1971.

Sonja Kristina, who topped the British Music female vocalist polls throughout the '70s was the first UK female lead singer fronting a Rock band. She has been the constant flame leading Curved Air through the decades. Today, vibrant and edgy as ever, Sonja, the original prog diva gives a charismatic and highly visual performance. Looking like a glamorous gipsy queen with her flowing red hair and dressed in sparkly black, that signature voice is still as smoky and seductive as ever as she spins around the stage around the excellent musicians who are Curved Air. Phil Oakey recently recalled, “When I formed The Human League it was because I was such a huge Sonja Kristina fan and I still am.”

“Sonja Kristina prowls the front of the stage... expertly playing off the energy of all the performers with her.” - Alex Lynham, PROG magazine

All of the players impress. Although only drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa is from the original line-up, Sonja has found some stunning new instrumentalists who immerse the audience in a set of swirling, whirling solos that emphasize moods and nuances and floating waves of sound that act as a counterpoint to Sonja's dramatic sense of theatricality. Much to the excitement of Curved Air fans, classic-era guitarist Kirby Gregory returns to the fold for 'North Star'!

Says Sonja, “The performances were created and produced collaboratively by Curved Air with the expressive and intricate touch of the original drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa, and the mighty eloquence of Kirby Gregory (the composer of 'Purple Speed Queen' and 'UHF'), interwoven with the passionate melodic wizardry of violinist Paul Sax, and the atmospheric extemporization and groove of ambient sonic explorer Robert Norton on keyboards. Kirby returns to Curved Air after 35 years and has added his identity and creativity to the sound. His input and presence in the band feels so right to us all as we prepare to bring new Curved Air material to the world stage. Chris Harris on bass earths the music with drive and precision within the moods, motifs and fire of Curved Air - who are - as always - a dynamic creative collective of virtuoso performers.”

Curved Air is: Vocalist Sonja Kristina, Drummer Florian Pilkington Miksa, Guitarist Kirby Gregory, Violinist Paul Sax, Bass Chris Harris and Keyboard Player Robert Norton.

To order Curved Air's 'North Star':
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4549
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/north-star/id843620008

To purchase Curved Air's “Stay Human” single:
https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/stay-human-single/id815160384

www.curvedair.com
www.facebook.com/curvedair
www.reverbnation.com/curvedair
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3894

Curved Air is managed by QEDG Management info@qedg.co.uk

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Review: Traffic Experiment-Blue Suburbia/Special Edition

This week the review is of Traffic Experiment, a UK based Progressive art rock band. The band utilize elements from a variety of sources including, prog rock, electronica, funk and acoustic to carve out their own niche in what is becoming increasingly referred to as cinematic rock. Some examples of other bands in this genre would be Gazpacho, from Norway and Lebowski, from Poland. Traffic Experiment formed back in 2006 and was soon working on a debut album, which had, in effect been written prior to the formation of the band. This initial release, Blue Suburbia, eventually surfaced in 2010 with the time scale being extended due to the band having an involvement in all aspects of the album release, from the artwork onwards.

Traffic Experiment returned to the studios in late 2013 to record a reworking of the “Dr. Who Theme,” but it was the studio time that they booked in December 2012 that resulted in this little package currently for review. The musicians gathered in Stevie Winwoods’ studio, together with other musicians to rework some of the original album and also film the entire sessions.

The review is therefore being carried out on the Blue Suburbia Special Edition release which is a 3 disc set containing the original Blue Suburbia release, a live disc entitled Live (at the End of the World) and a Blu-ray disc of the recording. (The Live disc carries that subtitle as the recordings were carried out around the time that many people had predicted would be “the end of the world”.)

Traffic Experiment is a three piece band, comprising Stuart Chalmers (guitar, vocals and composer), Tom Vincent (drums) and Simon James White (bass), but they were supplemented in the studio by guest musicians. The additional musicians were Harri Norris (who did the original 2010 release vocals), Mitch Gasser (guitar), Phil Burns (Hammond Organ, synthesizer), James Holloway (piano) and Claire Turner (vocals).

 

The audio discs contained in this pack, the original 2010 disc and the Live disc have an array of tracks with the Blue Suburbia disc having 11 tracks with a total playing time of around 71 minutes, and the Live disc comprising only 5 tracks, having a total running time of around 43 minutes. The shortest track on the studio album is “Home and Dry” at only 44 seconds with the last track, “The Crimson Sky at 5am,” the longest, at 10:01 minutes. The live album has slightly amended versions of some of the tracks from the studio album, the shortest being “Once More (with feeling)” at 6:36 minutes and the longest, is still the track, “The Crimson Sky at 5am,” at just under 2 minutes longer than the original, 11:51 minutes.

The studio album starts with “Heavy Braking” (7:49) and highlights the skills of all the musicians involved with superb bass playing, keyboards, drumming, some excellent guitar work and great vocals. An almost blues like atmospheric arrangement permeated the track and it seems to be over much quicker that it’s 7+ minutes would suggest, forming a perfect “jumping-off” point for the rest of the album.

As the listener progresses through “Once More (with feeling)” (6:33), “The Astronomer” (8:39), “Vacuum” (2:04) and “Sirens” (9:51), the journey is half completed and although the tracks vary in tempo and power, the overall impression is of the high level of musicianship that categorizes every part of the album thus far.

Into the second part of the album and a gentle acoustic start to “Ghosts and Shadows” (5:49) eases the listener into the remaining tracks. This gentle, almost laid back style carries on through “The Weight of the World” (6:26) and “Enlightenment” (7:10), before the short, but stunning “Home and Dry” (0:44) leads to the penultimate track, “Lucky Stars” (5:54) with an almost dreamy ethereal feel to it. The final track, “The Crimson Sky at 5 am” (10:01) is a slow building track which initially carries on from “Lucky Stars” style, then lets the band build the sound, with drums, bass, keyboards and guitar producing a sublime track to end this stunning album.

The Live album is literally a step up from the studio album and seems to have a greater intensity to the sound, to the point that it is difficult to determine that it is indeed, a live recording .The five tracks contained on the album seem to have taken on a new dimension, each surpassing the studio versions, culminating in a simply majestic version of “The Crimson Sky at 5am” (11:51) which is around 2 minutes longer than its studio counterpart.

The Blue Suburbia Special Edition is a stunning release that certainly gains both the “One to Buy” and “The Experience will last Forever” stickers and should find a place in almost everyone’s collection. Take the time to marvel at the musicianship, the production and, the amazing band that is, Traffic Experiment. The only confusing aspect of listening to this release, is why did the original album release in 2010, fail to gain more attention?

5/5 STARS

Key Tracks: The Astronomer: Enlightenment (live): The Crimson Sky at 5am (live)

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-MuzikReviews.com Staff

December 18, 2013

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