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The Raylenes
Genre: Indie, Pop
Region: Melbourne, VIC
Members: John Palmer - guitar, vocals, harmonica Katie Jacobs - keyboards, vocals, melodica Nick Pratt - bass Mikey Brennan - guitar, vocals Jamie Power - drums
Influences: Belle and Sebastian, Wilco, The Brunettes
Artist Website: www.myspace.com/theraylenes

The Raylenes are an ongoing contest between four New Zealand boys and one Australian girl, and it looks like she’s winning. Since forming in 2004, their sumptuous blend of literate lyrics, lush arrangements, vocal harmonies and the very occasional blistering guitar solo have helped them notch up an impressive record of live gigs and airplay – and their first album hasn’t even been released yet.

On the live front, they’ve played with local luminaries like Spencer P. Jones and the Escape Committee, ex-Klinger frontman Ben Birchall and the Corrections, Sophie Koh, The Little Stevies, Durbeyfield and Those Bloody McKennas, while also supporting international s like Pluto and The Brunettes (who liked Jamie’s playing so much they kidnapped him for a forty date US tour).

Despite their stated intention to make “pop music that was 100% pure and completely free of aggression or machismo”, listeners have detected hints of Northern Soul and Alt-Country alongside the more predictable Belle & Sebastian, Beach Boys, Smiths, Kinks and Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra comparisons.

The aforementioned album, entitled Let the Wild Rumpus Start, is due for completion by mid- August 2006, and slated for release mid-October. The band are currently in talks with several independent labels.

Tracks off the album, including Something Monstrous, are already receiving airplay on PBS, RRR and JJJ, and an early demo disc was named one of “Six of the Best” recordings of 2004 by influential music website New Here Now Live.

Reviews
“… Charming pop, some of it so light it could float away…The band know what they are doing with the arrangements and have the confidence to pull the songs off. ..A very impressive band.”
- Neil Wedd, Indie Initiative

“…with a gleeful ominvorism, The Raylenes reference everything from Johnny Cash to Phil Spector – sometimes within a single song…soul music for the over-educated.”
- Dave Rogers, Dave Rogers & the Wellwishers

“You guys are FANTASTIC!! Absolutely love your sound.”
- The Wondermints, Backing band for former Beach Boy Brian Wilson

“The Raylenes = good. I have my breath specifically bated for a record of pop proportions”
- Ryan Egan Local and/or General, RRR

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Played on triple j Something Monstrous
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Download mp3 - 1.86 mb
Never Play the Dane
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Download mp3 - 3.85 mb

reviews

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Something Monstrous
rating:  5/5
Can't get enough of this! My kind of pop song...




Never Play the Dane
rating:  4/5
Mega-cool again guyS!!! Very Belle and sebastion-ish, i love it to peices. Very, very catchy chorus with a sweet sweet melody.




Something Monstrous
rating:  5/5
This song is so ultra cool! The start bit makes me feel like doing the nutbush...dunno why... Keep up the great work guys!




Something Monstrous
rating:  5/5
A tune so sweeeeeet it'll rot your teeth.
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This project is supported by the Australia Council, the Australian Government’s arts funding and advisory body, through its Music Board Section.