Posted on November 29, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Join the cue fanfare

Once upon a time – not so long ago telling the truth – I had the fortune to find out a cool band from Bristol called Santa Dog. Useless to say, their refined perfect retro pop songs with hints of Cardigans, Smiths, Long Bondes, Prefab Sprout and Elvis Costello, cool Rob Williams guitars and the unique warm voice of Rowena Dugdale, were the perfect chemistry to tie me and my friends to their tunes. “Kittyhawk” was a great album, having each tune a little perfect gem. Santa soon became a little cult for us, and we frequently played their songs on parties, road trips and radio stations. My luck went even further than that. On 2008 I had the chance to spend some days with the band in Italy, doing a couple of gigs together. Unforgettable days. We still keep in touch through chats and mails from time to time, and having their new musical project debut on KinGem Records is now the best part of the cake!

“Cue Fanfare” re-started as a duo project for voice and guitar only, but Rowena and Rob soon joined forces with Bristolian Holly McIntosh and Alan Strawbridge. The result of their first studio effort is the “Ghost Ship” EP, being the title also the name of the title track inspired by the mysterious story of Maria Celeste.

“Cue Fanfare” walks on the path started by “Santa Dog” reaching for a more refined and dreamy pop alchemy. “Ghost Ship” and “The Moth” are well balanced between catchy melodies and smooth  sounds, having  the band  eager to explore new worlds and find out new natural directions for its crew. “Bee Line” and “Monkey Puzzle” are Santa Dog at their best, with some reminiscences of Jeff Buckley‘s melodies and Johnny Marr unfailing jingling arpeggios.

If you’re eager to know new valuable  music in times where the words “charts” and “popular” has completely lost their meaning, Cue Fanfare new EP is definetly the right to start from. It worth the wait.

Cue Fanfare – “Monkey Puzzle”

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