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Bastille

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Bastille have moved away from the common output being churned out by indie bands to create pop songs that are absorbing and genre defining without ever being formulaic. The origins of Bastille lie in the creative mind of singer/song writer Dan Smith whose embracement of multi-eclectic musical styles have led to one of the most exciting sounds in new music today.

Dan's songs are his stories; vehicles to muse on things he wants to talk about. He has the latitude to write tales with broad brush strokes, encapsulated in four minute pop songs, each being soundtracks to their own cinematic microcosm. Their resulting music is enigmatic, but accessible.

The music of Bastille was brought to life by one, but on stage the songs are emancipated by four band members, each dabbling with vocals, keyboards and percussion. Chris Wood on drums and bassist, Will Farquarson, are old musical acquaintances of Dan's and completing the line-up as keyboardist Kyle Simmons. Each has their main role in Bastille; however, confining them to a particular instrument would be as narrow as pigeon-holing Bastille to a certain musical genre. It is sonically that they are united, with vocal cohesion creating a live sound that transcends Dan’s more autonomous creative approach to recording the music.

The four members effortlessly interchange, harmonise and create a musical tapestry interlaced with texture and experimentation. Bastille manage to do what many peers of theirs sometimes forget to on stage: they have fun, and the music and experience will always be the beneficiary of this. The songs are full of rhythmic melodies and sweeping, haunting vocals, which coexist together in an atmospheric soundscape. Their Loyal and vocal fans, who have followed them from that very first show in Brighton, are hung on every word and invigorate Bastille's cacophony of sound and atmosphere.

Dan does not see the path as set with his music; the songs are flows of consciousness, taking Bastille to more ethereal pastures. He has been working with singer-songwriter Jay Brown and US Rapper F. Stoke and in trying to innovate, he has learnt new production techniques. His burgeoning appreciation of soul and the American hip-hop scene have heightened his musical sensibilities, giving his output a unique sound which is attuned to his style. The group now stands on the cusp of releasing their debut album, set for early 2013. Usually, bands start to experiment when their style grows static, but Bastille's music has never followed the normal route into Indie territory. Their debut album is devoid of guitars, instead being more reliant on vocals, beats and strings. The influences of such different sounds and feels have given the four the potential to look towards any creative direction in the future. They are not restricted by any musical straight jacket and that is what makes them one of the most exciting young bands around at the moment.