Whenever a Chapel Club song comes on, you have to pay attention. They're so epic that you can't help but be swept away — so much so that it's hard to concentrate on anything else.
This five-piece from London has been getting rave reviews from the U.K. press for its new full-length, Palace, and now the buzz is trickling stateside. I've been spinning the band regularly on Morning Becomes Eclectic — ever since I got my hands on its Wintering EP last year — and we're thrilled to be featuring Chapel Club tonight on KCRW's official night showcase at SXSW. Unfortunately, we won't be able to stream the show live, but we've included the three best songs from Palace in a playlist below (plus two older cuts) to give you an idea of why we're so excited.
The music — particularly Lewis Bowman's vocals — have hints of Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, and even The Smiths, but he claims lyrical inspiration mostly from literature. Some of the songs may be gloomy and a tad eerie, but they're just the kind of brooding music you want to revel in, like Wintering's "Telluride" and "Widows." On the other end of the spectrum is the poppier "All the Eastern Girls," which has a soaring, catchy chorus.
I think Chapel Club is going to be really big, and I'm so excited to see this group perform at our SXSW showcase.
Copyright 2011 KCRW