Halcyon Video

The Halcyon video is now available to watch on Youtube.

Islington Mill 29th January 2010

http://www.islingtonmill.com/index.php

I have been looking forward to this gig for ages. Arrived at Islington Mill to pick up my tickets. When we arrived, it was completely dead around the area, apart from a lonely tout who kindly gave me directions to a car park, despite me not having any tickets to sell!

We stood around the huge gates, expecting the doors to open. We spotted Rick and James across the road, and they crossed over to get into a taxi. Had a quick chat about the album, restraining orders and returning Hooky's calls. Then began the long wait for the doors to actually open. We listened to men in their forties claim to be 'down with the kids.' They protested slightly too much. After being told 'Just 5 more minutes', we finally got in at about 8.40.

After some Hot Chip and Friendly Fires, May68 came on. Or, in the case of the singer, walked on from the audience. They seemed pretty good - I will be checking out some of their tracks. http://www.myspace.com/may68uk


The venue was really intimate, and we maintained our position at the front despite various chancers. Delphic came on to 'Ephemera' and went into 'Clarion Call', which is always a fantastic opener. These were followed by 'Doubt' and 'Halcyon'. 'Halcyon' has always been a great song, but I have become more aware of just how brilliant it is since hearing the album version. 'Submission' is such a cool track, and inspired lots of appreciative head nodding. 'Red Lights' is one of my favourites on Acolyte, and I know there are many great tracks on there, but I feel close to it after the first time I watched them live. This performance was even better.

(These videos have strobes)






Next were 'This Momentary' and 'Counterpoint'. 'This Momentary' was similar to the extended mix. I love that their songs mix into each other, and have new bits in between, then the chorus comes back in in a different way. The live experience is so different from the album. Acolyte ended the set. It was a great way to finish, and the enthusiasm that had already been very much in evidence (much of it mine) was now boiling over.



Delphic are an odd band in that they remain very distant and professional, but inspire enthusiasm in the crowd very easily. They went off and there was music still playing with a red equaliser flashing. We thought an encore maybe, but then hot chip brusquely cut back in, so that was the end of that.

Totally wiped out after all that dancing, I made my way out, where I got myself the poster I had wanted all day, and a t-shirt. I braved the smoking hordes and it isn't too creased (the poster.) Then I basically talked bollocks on the way back while SmirnovKool drove me. I hope his ears have stopped ringing.

http://www.myspace.com/mr_hallows

They were amazing, the best I have seen them I think. I can't comprehend when people don't 'get' Delphic. They have made me very excited about music, despite it being 'male bonding without physical contact' according to SK. See them live, they are brilliant. Roll on March :)

SmirnovKool's review:
http://www.last.fm/user/smirnovkool/journal/2010/01/31/3ds0hw_a_call_to_arms

Tour Update

Tickets went on sale today for Delphic's March tour. Sankey's, Manchester, and Heaven, London are now sold out, but as far as I can tell there are still tickets for the other venues.

Delphic have confirmed that the next single from 'Acolyte' will be 'Halcyon'. The release date is March 15th.

If you haven't already signed up for the Delphic mailing list, there are 4 new tracks available to download.
'Sanctuary' is the fantastic new b-side on the 'Doubt' single. 'This Momentary' (Extended) gives more of an indication of what they do live, if you haven't seen their show yet.
The remix of Everything Everything's 'My Keys, Your Boyfriend' is really different from the original, and quite chilled. The remix of 'Fences' by Phoenix is quite funky too.
If you have already registered for updates, you can put in your email and password to access the download link for the new tracks.

New Delphic Gigs

As the Delphic gigs for January have all sold out, they have announced new gigs in March. They will play Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham, London, Cambridge, Manchester :), Sheffield and Southampton. Tickets go on sale Friday 22nd January.


Other news, too. Delphic have been nominated for the Critics Choice at the Brit Awards. Well done also to Doves, who are nominated for best British Group.
http://www.brits.co.uk/brits-2010

A new interview by The Quietus website is below, where Matt talks about the concept of the album, New Order and Steve Martin, amongst other things.
http://thequietus.com/articles/03565-delphic-interview-acolyte

Acolyte at number 8

Delphic's debut album has charted at number 8 on its first week of release.
Great work, guys.

Delphic at Piccadilly Records, Manchester

Had such a busy week this week that I've only just got round to doing this.
On Monday 11th January, Delphic played a short instore gig and signed copies of the new album 'Acolyte'.
The queue outside was massive and when the doors opened everyone piled in. The audience were backed up to the doors. Unfortunately I am small, so couldn't see a great deal, but the guys sounded great. They performed new versions of Counterpoint, Doubt and Halcyon.
Afterwards, they signed albums (for those that had received them - I was still waiting for mine to arrive -grrr!) Met Matt and Rick for the first time, and James remembered me and my other half from last time we met. They fully deserve the 'hype' around them. Here's hoping the album does great this week.

The fraction that matters is clear

Delphic - Acolyte
This album has been eagerly awaited since I heard Counterpoint back in April 2009. It will be released on 11th January, with the single, Doubt, released this week. It is now available to listen to on the band's MySpace page.

http://www.myspace.com/delphic

Clarion Call
This one starts the album, as it has started live sets too. It is a great opener, and at 1 minute 30 when it kicks in it is triumphant. It sets the tone for the rest of the album and is over way too soon.

Doubt
The new single, this sounds different to the version I had heard before. Doubt is brilliant and the phoneme sounds are simple, but work really well. I like the vocal style and the harmonies, which Delphic always work really hard on. It is like a sophisticated computer game soundtrack in the best possible sense and the first track I have ever played air guitar to (not cool I know.)

This Momentary
This track has pretty much been the staple of my Delphic playlist before this album, as I have the different remixes. The album version is very similar to the single version with a slight edit. The harmonies and vocals on this are amazing and the 'Let's do something real' part kicks in and just makes the song. I don't think I will ever get tired of listening to it.

Red Lights
Along with This Momentary I was singing along to this when I first saw Delphic live. I've been looking forward to this for months and it doesn't disappoint. Hearing the vocals clearly for the first time, I love the way there is the combination of distance and closeness in the music and lyrics. The song builds and more is added each time. I absolutely love it.

Acolyte
One of the new songs for me. It has a beautiful intro and starts to build up at 1 minute only to take us back down before going into it full at around 2 minutes. This is a brilliant mix of subtle vocals, electro sounds and dreamy chords. I love the twinkly outro. Fantastic.

Halcyon
This is gorgeous - full of a haunting longing. The drums in the second verse take it up a level and by the second chorus you will be on your feet. I love the guitar part. There is an extended outro, too.

Submission
This sounds quite different from the previous version, with classic computer type sounds complemented by the factory metal reverb. It takes the tempo down and craves understanding, with dark guitar that you can lose yourself in.

Counterpoint
This already feels like a classic. It's similar to the single version with a few tweaks. This song has two great build-ups. The first time I heard it I was inspired to create Delphic threads on forums and try to get people interested. That doesn't happen often. A brilliant song.

Ephemera
This is a more experimental piece with vocal effects which reminds me of Sigur Ros. It would have been a good piece of music to end the album. It is growing on me all the time.

Remain
This track to me sounds the most conventional and unlike the others, although it definitely fits in with the themes explored on the album. It is catchy but it still keeps a sense of darkness.

I partly knew what to expect with the album because I had heard a lot of the songs live, but it has still blown me away, and I love the new versions that have been recorded for it. I haven't been as excited over an album for a while. I just hope it is massive, as it deserves to be.

Order here:

http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/12160242/Acolyte/Product.html
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acolyte-Delphic/dp/B002USCGOS

All that's left for you is doubt...

Delphic's single, 'Doubt' is out today. The Riton Rerub is pretty cool.

Listen here:
http://www.myspace.com/delphic