New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - What to make of Portico Quartet? The young, UK-based, Mercury-prize-nominated band has been compared to everyone from
Radiohead to Steve Reich to Moondog. They've been called "genuinely innovative" (The Observer), "powerfully atmospheric" (The Independent), and "an authentic musical force" (Times of London). But it's Mojo that best summarizes their unique appeal: "If any group demonstrates the glorious eclecticism of the modern music fan, it's Portico Quartet."
On August 31, Real World Records will release Portico Quartet's critically acclaimed sophomore LP 'Isla,' in the US. It was produced by the John Leckie (Radiohead, Stone Roses, Spiritualized) and recorded in the legendary Studio Two at Abbey Road.
The young, all-instrumental group is comprised of two sets of friends from college who share a house in East London and, like their fans, have grown up immersed in the global jukebox of sounds available to anyone with curiosity and an Internet connection. Portico Quartet is Jack Wyllie (saxophones, electronics), Duncan Bellamy (drums), Milo Fitzpatrick (double bass), and is often distinguished by Nick Mulvey's performance on the Hang, a distinctive percussion instrument that sounds not unlike a gamelan or Tibetan prayer bells. Working with Leckie, Portico Quartet recorded 'Isla' almost entirely live and enhanced their sound with loops, real-time electronics and overdubs. It's an album that reveals fresh nuances with every listen.
Says Wyllie, "Eventually, the sum of all our parts - and what we've been listening to - comes out." Watch a studio recording of "Line" here: https://bit.ly/diXbMX
Portico Quartet first got their start busking to crowds in London's South Bank and broke through with their debut 'Knee Deep In The North Sea' - an album nominated for the 2008 Mercury Prize for Best U.K. or Irish album - originally out on Vortex, soon to be re-released on Real World Records. Since then, the group signed with Real World Records to release 'Isla' in the UK. It earned them wide critical acclaim, leading to their biggest shows to date - including the Barbicon in London.
Portico Quartet will play Glastonbury and several other European festivals this summer. They will make their U.S. debut in September. Dates and more information will be revealed soon.
Portico Quartet on the Web:
https://www.porticoquartet.com/
https://twitter.com/porticoquartet
https://www.myspace.com/porticoquartet
https://www.youtube.com/user/porticoquartetvideo
https://realworldrecords.com/
