Epic45

Epic45 return after a seven-year hiatus with new album ‘Through Broken Summer’, set for release on the 28th September via Wayside and Woodland Recordings. The album is the band’s first release since 2011’s critically acclaimed album ‘Weathering’, which explored the lingering death of rural communities.
Much of what has always driven Epic45 still remains; the British landscape, hazy childhood memories and a sense of loss. However, as tensions across Britain have increased, Epic45 have been forced to re-examine their relationship with the country in which they live…

With everything shut by nine, Ben Holton and Rob Glover were trapped in bedrooms; too young to escape the watchful eye of parents. They were contemplating starting a band. New sounds emerge from across the hallway. A sticker covered door, entry denied by an older brother sat behind blasting out pirate radio; not suitable for young ears. Perhaps a familiar scene from the 90s…

Forming at school in their native Staffordshire, Benjamin Holton and Rob Glover have helmed indie-rock outfit epic45 through 10 studio albums over two decades. We Were Never Here documents the mundanity and magic of their surroundings that have informed their work.

With each new release, Staffordshire's Epic45 step up to the challenge of expanding their sound ever further. After a support stint with Hood and avid appreciation of the Bark Psychosis and Disco Inferno back catalogue, these influences appear to have rubbed off on the trio; making this their most confident-sounding record whilst retaining their essentially English sound. Thus, the title track begins with a huge drum sound before the dynamics are turned down to release some of the sweetest chiming guitar passages they have yet produced. 'Walk Led To Happiness' is even better; it posssess the familiar rustic atmosphere featured on previous outings but its stately pace and ambience bears comparisons with Bark Psychosis' 'Absent Friend'…

Trying to review 'In All The Empty Houses' by Epic45 is a rather difficult exercise, a band it's awfully hard to categorise. They straddle the divide between tender melancholy pop & chiming, atmospheric post rock, definitely within the realms of the sound universe created by bands such as Disco Inferno, Bark Psychosis & Hood but more dreamy, and less edgy with a very gentle dynamic. The bass lines thrum & bob searchingly as wistful, chiming guitarscapes & homely swathes of subtle electronics are enveloped by a wistful half-spoken vocal.

The songs on this collection are a paean to youthful summers spent in deep countryside or on the Welsh coast, early tape recording experiments on quiet afternoons, memories of Grandparents’ houses and daydreaming on long car journeys.