Goldenhorse Return

Out October 29

Goldenhorse Return

On October 29th, Goldenhorse return with their stunning new album Reporter. Loaded with the band’s blend of pop-folk, the first single Jump Into The Sun is a welcome reminder that Goldenhorse have been hiding for far too long. And, as expected, their music still conjures up all the best images of a summer’s day.

Since we last saw them, the kiwi five-piece have been busy taking their unique sound to other parts of the globe. Touring Europe, and playing festivals in Germany, Austriaand Switzerlandamong other places, they have returned home with a cache of melodic new songs and a matured sound.

“It’s an album I'm really proud of,” says singer Kirsten Morrell “I worked super hard at getting some different vocals to what I've previously done. I tried a different approach to writing and the arranging of songs and I played more music. I have over the years come to appreciate the genius of Geoff Maddock’s musical brain and our collaboration is something I value so much… it's hard to describe. Ben wrote as well adding a new element. When we first listened back to the album I started to cry. For me this is a strangely personal album. I love it.”

After the triple-platinum success of their debut album Riverhead and the platinum-selling follow up release Out Of The Moon, Goldenhorse have a lot to live up to. However, the cohesion and outstanding musicianship of the band have come good once again. Reporter creeps into your ears and tunnels down into the deepest and most receptive parts of your mind. Kirsten Morrell’s familiar and charming vocals concoct visions of magical places far away, and Reporter seems like the soundtrack to an other-worldly journey.

“Like a lot of bands the first album is a collection of new exciting, experimental ideas. And that’s always hard to pull off again,” says Kirsten “I think we have done well as a band even through some very tough times, to come up with and re-inspire ourselves by music, channeling it into the thing that is Goldenhorse - to make an album like Reporter.”

“It seems to me quite a varied album,” adds guitarist-singer Geoff Maddock “The songs are many different colours, some lighter some quite dark. The album ends with one of my songs called Change of Heart. It is about telling someone it's over, it's quite austere and cold, but at the same time the music bursts through with great feeling at the end, to express the regret underneath the words which speak with a final certainty. I am really happy when music can have that colour, that tension.”

Goldenhorse songs are a product of the organic and natural balance that occurs between the lyrics and the sounds of the instruments. Ethereal vocals and warm atmospheric guitars arc across a present and steadfast rhythm section.

“I don't know exactly why we work, some peculiar combination of our forces I suppose,” says Geoff, “There aren't many bands around like Goldenhorse. I do feel really good about us, I think we have a very individual sound, and no band has it. Kirsten's voice, the guitars that wind underneath, Nick's drums and Vince's particular feel on the bass- it all adds up to something. But it is the songs that have to carry it. That is what really matters, and I think we have something going there.”

The making of Reporter was quite compressed into rehearsal periods and a tight recording schedule. With five days spent tracking at Roundhead studios, 3 weeks overdubs at Montage studio, then back to Roundhead for mixing, it was a relatively speedy process. Produced by Phil Vinall, of Placebo fame, and engineered by kiwi sound wizard Clint Murphy, the sound is mysterious, haunting and bold.

“Our sound is a clash of forces, and a great combination of everyone’s different beliefs on music and sounds,” says Geoff “That is the great thing when a band works well, you get something that is new each time, but yes it does have a tangible thread running through each choice made on the bass or drum, or whatever instrument, something that could almost be felt ahead of time.”

Despite the purity of their debut album Riverhead, itwas recorded above a peep show-slash-massage parlour. Released in late 2002 and with radio hits Maybe Tomorrow, Wake Up Brother and Northern Lights, it took the No.1 spot on the national album chart after 52 weeks, but of course, good things take time and Riverhead went on to spend over 70 weeks on the charts.
In April 2005, Goldenhorse returned with their much-anticipated sophomore outing, Out Of The Moon, an engaging and eclectic collection of songs drawing from a solid band dynamic and assured artistry. Out of the Moon debuted on the album charts at number 2 and has since sold over 25,000 copies thanks to strong support at radio and TV for the singles Run Run Run, Out of the Moon and Fish.

Kirsten Morrell met Geoff Maddock when he was still playing in the band Bressa Creeting Cake. They started playing music together and when Geoff and Kirsten had to get a band ready at the last minute for a friend's wedding, the beginnings of Goldenhorse stirred. They played My Funny Valentine, 10 times in a row and no-one cared a bit. Unfortunately the marriage didn't last but the band did, and the best part of a decade later, they are here… still making the music that excites them.

Goldenhorse are:
Kirsten Morrell:vocals, guitar
Geoff Maddock:vocals, guitars, keys
Ben King: vocals, guitar
Vincent Hine: bass
Nick Gaffaney: drums

www.goldenhorse.co.nz

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