SNORKEL
Frank Byng - drums, percussion, electronics
Ben Cowen - synths, keyboards, electronics Roberto Sassi - guitar, sampler Luke Kulukundis - vox, guitar, sampler Snorkel are a South London-based collective blending improvisation, electronica, dub, and sound art into an unpredictable and hypnotic experience. Described by Rock A Rolla as “the missing link between Krautrock and Lee Scratch Perry,” the band revel in angular repetition, deep polyrhythmic grooves, and the real-time sculpting of a polymorphously perverse, unruly soundscapes. Formed by drummer/producer Frank Byng, Snorkel was conceived as an open workshop to explore extended improvisation, drawing inspiration from groups like Can, This Heat, and Soft Machine. Their lineup has featured key figures from the UK’s experimental underground including Ben Cowen, Ralph Cumbers, Tom Marriott, and Roberto Sassi. To date, Snorkel have released two acclaimed albums (Glass Darkly, 2007; Stop Machine, 2012) and couple of EPs on Slowfoot Records. Their upcoming third record spans a decade of recordings, drawing on various incarnations of the band, capturing Snorkel’s evolution while gesturing toward future sonic territory, with sprawling grooves, granular synthesis, dubbed-out textures and abstract electronics. They’ve performed at festivals across the UK and Europe, including Match & Fuse, Shambala and Sonic Boom, and shared stages with The Comet Is Coming, Gnod, Sculpture and more. Snorkel Studios remains their creative HQ — a space for constant exploration, flux and reinvention. A collective of highly sought-after creative musicians, the members of Snorkel are involved in a wide array of projects beyond the group itself. Frank Byng has performed with This Is Not This Heat, Daniel O’Sullivan, Lifetones, Prescott, and others, while also producing, recording, and mixing records for artists such as Gong, Charles Hayward, Vibration Black Finger and Levitation Orchestra. Ben Cowen, formerly of the electro duo 7-Hurtz, has collaborated with Morcheeba and Vibration Black Finger. Tom Marriott is a core member of the electro group Pest. Roberto Sassi, formally a member of Vole Trio and Cardoasanto, is currently involved in groups Heckle Chamber and Charles Hayward’s new project, Abstract Concrete. Ralph Cumbers, a respected musician and producer, has released numerous acclaimed records under his Bass Clef moniker. The album also features Charles Stuart, currently musical director for Grace Jones’ live band and the driving force behind quirky pop outfit The Fish Police, as well as the clandestine producer 129. Bassist Nick Doyne-Ditmas known for his work with Pinski Zoo, Monkey Puzzle Trio, and Crackle, guests on a couple of tracks. Soon after completing Past Still Present Tense, Ralph and Tom relocated to the Netherlands and Japan, respectively — ushering in a new chapter for the band – now as a four piece with Luke Kulukundis (aka Syd Nukuluk and a founding member of Nukuluk) on guitar, sampler, and vocals. History: The first sessions and performances featured Frank Byng (drums,percussion), Lucas Suarez (guitar), Oren Marshall (electric tuba), Nicko Grosz (bass), Dean Brodrick (clavinet, sampler), Nicko Grosz (bass) and John Telfor (saxophones) in various formations. This culminated in a three day recording session which has yet to be released. Further performances occured over the following years, most notably events staged at The Albany and other alternative art spaces in Deptford, South-East London - sharing the bill with the likes of Charles Hayward, Albert Newton, The Spyna Allstars (Pest), and The Hormones. Other musicians who enjoyed a spot of Snorkeling during this period included George Hadjineophytou (electric bazouki), Luke Wills (guitar), Nick Doyne-Ditmas (bass, cornet), Charles Stuart and 129. With the arrival of Tom Marriott and Ben Cowen the current line-up took shape, and in the summer of 2005 started playing gigs, art shows and studio events around London before entering the recording studio to record an album - 'Glass Darkly' for which they were joined by guitarist Lucas Suarez. Whilst putting the finishing touches to their second album 'Stop Machine' the band was joined by Ralph Cumbers aka Bass Clef on bass, trombone and electronics, and guitarist Roberto Sassi. The 'One Long Conundrum EP' marked the arrival of this quintet, who are now working towards their third album. Festivals: Match & Fuse [France], Venn, Match & Fuse [London], Shambala, Sonic Boom, Meze, No Dark Places, Tinderbox - Gigs: The Vortex, Cafe Oto, OCM, The Spitz, The Thekla, Le Periscope [Lyon] and many more…. and have also shared bills with the likes of The Comet Is Coming, Blurt, Monkey Puzzle Trio, Zun Zun Egui, Charles Hayward, Gnod, Metamorphic, Sculpture, Rocketnumbernine, Rothko, The Woodentops and Red Square. They have remixed for Esben And The Witch, Robert Logan, Slovo, The Fish Police, Low Bias, Crewdson, Time And Space Machine. Press: "...a vital flow of angular energy and unpretentious swagger" [The Wire] “…the missing link between Krautrock and Lee Scratch Perry” [Rock a Rolla] "Like having your head squeezed a full fathom five down, the pressure here is good... throwing in an MC, some synths and a damn fine bit of drumming, this is deeply grooved and experimental stuff" [Clash] "...the spirit of Ege Banyasi-era Can looms large... There is also a debt to This Heat's post-Prog experimentalism in the detailed tinkering: tape loops, primitive Casio electronics, squelchy moog basslines...borne along by the momentum of a spontaneously self-generating groove." [The Wire] |
ReleasesLiveTuesday 16th September – Servants Jazz Quarters, Dalston, London [+Middle Name John]
Friday 31st October – Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda [w/Gong] Saturday 8th November – Bedford Esquires, Bedford [w/ Gong] Thursday 13th November – The State51 Factory, London [album launch] Friday 14th November – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis [w/Gong TBC] Sunday 16th November – The Piper, Saint Leonards [w/ Gong] Friday 21st November – Hootananny, Brixton [w/Red Snapper] Tuesday 25th November – Norwich Arts Center, Norwich [w/Gong] Saturday 31st January – The Victoria, Dalston LinksVideosSNORKEL - ONE LONG CONUNDRUM
SNORKEL - DEAD SKIN
SPOTIFY |
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