Chasing the night up and down the gothic alleyways and around the stately squares of Edinburgh, four-man'RITU▲LS' find their musical heart beating to a disconcerting pattern that isn’t altogether unfamiliar. Their first public outing with the single,Black River, released on Skeleton Key on Friday 30th September reveals perhaps the new, quintessentially British band and one of a distinct, mischievously Dickensian shade.
Formed from the most talented offcuts of defunct bands earlier in 2016, the only chapter in RITU▲LS' short story begins with an almost immediate meeting The Coral’sJames Skelly after travelling to perform in Liverpool. Rushed intoParr Street Studios to work with Skelly and co-producer, Richard Turvey (The Coral, She Drew The Gun), their conspicuously theatrical sound is preserved in their first release, with more set to follow.
While touting influences as broad as Kendrick Lamar and David Bowie, the latter being more obvious than the first, it is perhaps the individualism ofArcade Fire, The Horrors and the understated darkness ofThe Kinks that offer more clues to the band’s origins. The depths of vocalist/pianist,Ryan Sandison’s delivery brings Nick Cave and Edwyn Collins into the room alongside him, forming dark, poetic storm clouds over head.
In their previous incarnations RITU▲LS have been invited to tour with Paul Weller and Temples and have had tracks produced by Skelly’s fellow Coral family member,Bill Ryder-Jones and the incomparable Richard Hawley.
The band consists of:
Ryan Sandison - Piano/Lead Vocals
Craig Somerville - Drums
Craig McMullen - Guitar
Lee Brown - Bass