Idiosync - Symbiosis

I love independent record labels. I love them even more when they are run by bands/artists who understand the plight of the small British band. One such label is Godmonkey Recordings, started up in early 2008 by Gavin Filmer (Shapes drummer) with the intention of helping artists achieve exposure and release material, book tours etc.

One of the bands on their label are Birmingham ‘art-beat’ band Idiosync. Formed in August 2008 as an instrumental band, they burst onto the local scene in February of this year and have been forging their sound ever since through a constant stream of blistering live shows, culminating in the release of Symbiosis, a self produced 5-track EP mixed by Al Groves (Elvis Costello, The Zutons, Tantrums). As the band and EP names could suggest, this release sounds like a symbiotic relationship of idiosyncrasies – the art-rock sensibilities of Bloc Party, the dance-punk beats of Foals, the alt-indie sounds of ¡Forward, Russia! and the epic atmospheric soundscapes of Explosions In The Sky – creating an instantly recognisable yet unique take on the art-rock genre.

EP opener Initiate eases you in with lashings of delay-ridden guitar underpinned by break-beat drumming building to a crescendo and exploding into the stabbing guitars and shouty vocals of Shards. Track 3 Mediocre is most definitely a misnomer, opening with dance-punk riffage and gang-vocals before settling into a verse that reminds me of under-appreciated post-hardcore 4-piece The Honor System. Apricot Jam sounds like Bloc Party and ¡Forward, Russia! in a punch up with Pelican and EP closer D.N.V. has not only one of the catchiest hooks I’ve heard in a long while, but possibly the best use of a Whammy pedal since Tom Morello hung up his electric and went all folksy.

A wonderful blend of musical styles and incredibly danceable, Symbiosis is a strong first release from a small band sure to make big waves in the UK music scene. Here as a taster is Apricot Jam

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