Oxford band The Dreaming Spires have released their much anticipated debut album, 'Brothers In Brooklyn', on Clubhouse Records.
Having an enviable musical pedigree - brothers Robin and Joe Bennett played in both Danny & The Champions Of The World and Goldrush as well as co-founding two award winning festivals, Truck and Wood - the band wear their influences on their sleeve with an album that draws inspiration from the likes of Big Star, The Band, Gram Parsons, and The Byrds. However, this isn't simply a wonderful jangly power-pop excursion but essentially a heartfelt an honest account of life on the road for a rock 'n' roll band where the 'real show' relates to that inescapable drive that leads musicians - and in this case brothers - to continue pursuing the dream after any thoughts of guitar-shaped pools and limousines have long since vanished.
On 'Brothers In Brooklyn' The Dreaming Spires ditch any attempts at sounding artificially modern and instead this is an album that celebrates and name checks the artists, the songs and the second-hand vinyl the band love, as does their ongoing club night Covered In Glory at London's Betsey Trotwood where themselves and a collection of friends pay homage to their favourite bands.
New single from The Dreaming Spires "Not Every Song From The Sixties Is A Classic" has been released by Clubhouse Records.
The Dreaming Spires "Not Every Song From The Sixties Is A Classic" - video:
Having worked with Supergrass producer 'Dr' Sam Williams on several tracks, guitarist Nick Fowler suggested the band could steal into his then workplace the Oxford University Music Faculty to record in those august surroundings; they did so to finish off the record, with the help of another Dr Williams (Duncan) and a cast of musical friends and supporters chipping in. After the success of last year's debut single "Everything All The Time", this album fills out the picture of what can be achieved by writing 11 great songs and recording them simply with great playing and harmonies, an exceptional offering from a band who celebrate transatlantic brotherhood in style.
The album will be available as a hand numbered CD Digipack (First Pressing Limited to 1000 copies) with an original cover print by Oxford artist Ben Pritchard and artwork by Trevor Moss. It also includes a detailed booklet with lyrics and chords for all 11 songs. The first 100 purchased direct from the Clubhouse Records website will also receive a free signed copy of The Dreaming Spires' 7" Vinyl single, "Everything All The Time" b/w "In Our Lifetimes". Of course, the album will be available in good independent stores and from all major download platforms.
"Robin and Joe's new hugely melodic incarnation Dreaming Spires." - John Niven, Q
"My new favourite band!" - Janice Long, Radio 2
"The Bennett's current collaboration pays homage to American rock idols like Big Star, with Birds-y harmonies and charming accents." - Time Out New York