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Moulettes

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Moulettes
OriginGlastonbury, Somerset, England
GenresArt rock, chamber pop, progressive folk, progressive rock, folk rock, psychedelic folk, experimental rock
Years active2002–present
LabelsCraft Pop, Navigator Records
MembersHannah Miller
Raevennan Husbandes
Oliver Austin
Mike Simmonds
Jules Arthur
Past membersRuth Skipper
Ted Dwane
Robert Skipper
Anisa Arslanagic
Georgina Leach
Jim Mortimore
Rob Arcari
Marcus Hamblett
Kate Young
Emma Gatrill
Eliza Jaye
T.S.Idiot
Lee Westwood
Websitemoulettes.co.uk

Moulettes are an English art rock band that combines elements of rock, progressive, folk and pop music.[1][2][3][4] Moulettes are multi-instrumentalists who experiment with the interplay between electric and acoustic instruments through effects and distortion. Led by either a 4, 5 or 6 string cello; the band uses three-part vocal harmony and often incorporates orchestral and progressive elements into their music.

Origins

Moulettes was formed in 2002 in Glastonbury, England by Hannah Miller (vocals, cello), Ruth Skipper (vocals, bassoon), Robert Skipper, Oliver Austin (drums, vocals) and Ted Dwane (bass guitar). Miller, Ruth Skipper, Robert Skipper, Austin and Dwane met at school in Millfield and Winchester.[5]

History

Early years: 2002–09

During and after having left college, the band formed Miller, Ruth Skipper, Robert Skipper, Austin, Dwane and eventually Leach were playing regularly in London and Manchester. They put on the "Den of Iniquity" nights at the 12 Bar Club playing their strange flavour of folk-inspired music alongside other indie bands. Moulettes were amongst many bands who played at the Mystery Jets parties on Eel Pie Island, dubbed "The White Cross Revival".

Soon after, Dwane, Robert Skipper and Leach left. To document the songs that had been played live during that period, Miller, Ruth Skipper, and Austin became a newly arranged three-piece band. It was on this foundation that the sound for the first album was made. Austin, Ruth Skipper, and Miller also helped found the Sotones Music co-operative label in Southampton and released their first split single, "Wilderness", with Peter Lyons.

Moulettes: 2009–11

The Moulettes album was recorded in Winchester at Valley Studios where Robert Skipper and Austin originally met. Near the end of the sessions, Leach announced her return and recorded on several of the tracks. These last stages of the sessions also saw the recruitment of Rob Arcari and a guest vocal appearance from Emma Richardson of Band of Skulls on "Requiem". The band toured the record in the UK and Europe as a quintet.

The Bear's Revenge: 2011–12

The band returned to Winchester to record second album The Bear's Revenge with Ben Startup, and with Joe Gibb co-producing. The sessions included the return of Dwane on double bass and the addition of Jim Mortimore, Laura Hockenhull, and Faye Houston. Guest appearances include Liz Green on "Blood And Thunder", Banjoist Matt Menefee and Ríoghnach Connolly (folk singer, flute and whistle).

Miller, Ruth Skipper, Austin, Leach, Arcari and Mortimore toured for the album. During this period Moulettes played festivals, including Cropredy, and toured with the Levellers, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Mumford and Sons[6] and a support show with Seasick Steve at the Hammersmith Apollo. Leach and Arcari left the band by the end of the album tour.

Constellations: 2013–2015

The band's third album Constellations[7] was released on 2 June 2014 on Navigator Records. Joe Gibb returned to co-produce the album with band member Austin. Special guests include: Herbie Flowers, Arthur Brown, Richardson, Blaine Harrison, The Unthanks, Nick Pynn, Gatrill, Marcus Hamblett, Dan Smith, Houston, Campbell Austin, Hockenhull, Matt Gest, Arslanagic, Simmonds, Bjorn Dahlberg, and Laura Impallomeni.

Miller, Ruth Skipper, Austin, Mortimore and Arslanagic began to tour the album and were joined by Gatrill, Young and Eliza Jaye at different stages. The band once again played festivals including Stage 2 (Cambridge Folk Festival), Avalon stage (Glastonbury Festival) and Bestival and supported Bellowhead.

Founding member Rob Skipper died on 3 October 2014 from a heroin overdose shortly after moving to Brighton.[8][9][10]

Preternatural: 2015–2017

Moulettes' fourth album Preternatural saw the addition of Raevennan Husbandes on guitar and vocals. The album's lyrical content deals with strange creatures and the natural world. It was produced by the band, mixed by Jim Mortimore, and recorded in the home studio of Malcolm Mortimore after a headline tour in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Canada. Moulettes continued to tour Canada and all over Europe. In June 2016, Ruth Skipper left.

Stop Gap Dance Show: 2018–present

The band collaborated with Stop Gap Dance Company. The company, which integrates disabled and non-disabled people through dance, choreographed a show to Moulettes music.

Xenolalia: 2018–present

Fifth album Xenolalia (2021) contains 11 songs re-imagined five ways with five different ensembles—a cappella, electric, strings, electronic, and horns—over five separate albums.[11][12][13][14]

Musicianship

Moulettes are a band of multi-instrumentalists who experiment with the interplay between electric and acoustic instruments through effects and distortion. Led by either a 4, 5 or 6 string cello; the band uses three-part vocal harmony and often incorporates orchestral and progressive elements into their music.

Influence

Moulettes' influences include Björk, Kate Bush, Gentle Giant, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Dirty Three, The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

Personnel

The current lineup is Hannah Miller (cello, vocals, guitar), Oliver Austin (drums, guitar, synthesizer), Raevennan Husbandes (vocals, guitar), Jules Arthur (synthesizer, viola, backing vocals), Mikey Simmonds (violin, viola, nyckelharpa, backing vocals)

They occasionally play with a chamber orchestra, or in larger ensembles which include Georgina Leach (violin), Mikey Simmonds (violin), Anisa Arslanagic, Emma Gatrill (harp), Kate Young (violin), Eliza Jaye (violin and guitar), Marcus Hamblett (guitar, brass), Rob Arcari (percussion), Laura Hockenhull (vocals) and Faye Houston (vocals).

  • Hannah Miller
    Hannah Miller
  • Oliver Austin
    Oliver Austin
  • Raevennan Husbandes
    Raevennan Husbandes

Discography

Albums

  • Moulettes (Balling The Jack, 2010)
  • The Bear's Revenge (Balling The Jack, 2012)
  • Constellations (Navigator, 2014)
  • Preternatural (C.R.A.F.T Pop, 2016)
    • Preternatural: European Special Edition (C.R.A.F.T Pop, 2017)
  • Xenolalia (self-released, 2021)

Compilation albums

  • Remixes From Back Catalogue (self-released, 2014)
  • Journey Through The Mouletiverse (Sotones, 2021)

EPs

  • Songs From St. Margaret's (Red Deer Club, 2007)
  • Moulettes (self-released, 2008)

Awards

Moulettes have been nominated for several Best of The Year lists, and won Spiral Earth's Best Band and Album categories and won Featea Roots Music's best band of 2012.[15]

References

  1. ^ "Divine harmonies and orchestral folk". Times of Malta. 9 September 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Moulettes - Live At The Roundhouse, London". Clash Magazine. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  3. ^ https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/national/two-special-music-nights-at-more-music-in-morecambe-and-lancasters-gregson-centre-4393559
  4. ^ Gaunt, Jeremy (2 December 2013). "Prog rock meets folk as Moulettes soar in London". Reuters. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  5. ^ Hartley, Emma (23 April 2012). "Six Moulettes, one Mumford and a new addition to The Copper Family". Emma Hartley's Glamour Cave. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Gentlemen Of The Road". Clash Magazine. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  7. ^ Denselow, Robin (9 December 2014). "Moulettes review – swirling songs and a cheerful folk fusion". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Man charged over heroin overdose which killed guitarist from The Holloways". The Argus. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  9. ^ "The Holloways Guitarist Rob Skipper Dies, Aged 28". HuffPost UK. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  10. ^ Stutz, Colin (4 October 2014). "The Holloways Guitarist Rob Skipper Dead at 28". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  11. ^ Martin, Lily (10 July 2020). "Idiolect - Hannah Moule and The Moulettes - Exclusive Video Premiere -". Louder Than War. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  12. ^ "The Moulettes Return With Remarkable New Single 'Attention'". Clash Magazine. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  13. ^ Pearson, Alex (3 July 2020). "Hannah Moule & The Moulettes embark on huge five part compilation albums". IndieCentralMusic. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  14. ^ "Xenolalia : Moulettes". Minack Theatre. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  15. ^ "FATEA – Fatea Awards 2012 Winners & Shortlists". Fatea-records.co.uk. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
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