Moulettes

Moulettes are an English Folk Rock or Craft Pop band. The band was formed in 2002 in Glastonbury by Hannah Miller (Songwriter, Vocals, Cello, Guitar), Dr. Ruth Skipper (Vocals, Bassoon, Auto-harp), Robert Skipper (later of The Holloways), Oliver Austin (Drums, Guitar, vocals) and Ted Dwane. The current line up is Hannah Miller, Ruth Skipper, Oliver Austin, Bassist Jim Mortimore (Arthur Brown, Chris Jagger) and Raevennan Husbandes (Guitar and Vocals). The band often plays in larger ensembles which have included Georgina Leach (Violin), percussionist Rob Arcari, Laura Hockenhull (Vocals), Faye Houston (Vocals), Mikey Simmonds (Violin), Anisa Arslanagic, Emma Gatrill (Harp), Kate Young (Violin), Eliza Jaye (Violin and Guitar) and Marcus Hamblett (Guitar, brass).

Moulettes are led by Female vocal harmony and Cello. The band is composed of multi-tasking, multi-instrumentalists who experiment with both electric and acoustic instruments, including deliberate distortion on the Bassoon and strings. The band often incorporate Orchestral and Progressive elements into their music and occasional play with a chamber orchestra. Their main influences include Björk, Kate Bush, Gentle Giant, Nick Cave, The Beatles and Pink Floyd. The band have received positive reviews from mainstream press which has acknowledged the band's original sound. The band have been nominated for several Best Of The Year lists (http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/16/the-best-albums-of-2014-how-our-writers-voted) and won Spiral Earth's Best Band and Album categories and won Fatea roots-music Best band of 2012. Having toured extensively and played at many festivals since their inception Moulettes have shared the stage and studio with Seasick Steve, John Paul Jones, The Ting Tings, Mumford and Sons, Band of Skulls, Paul Heaton, Bonobo, Liz Green, The Unthanks, Arthur Brown and many more of note.

History

Early years: 2002–09

During and after they left college Hannah, Ruth, Rob (Skipper), Oliver, Ted and Georgina were playing regularly in London together. They put on the notorious 'Den of Iniquity' nights at the 12 bar playing their strange flavour of folk inspired music alongside the best up and coming Indie bands of the time including The Noisettes, Patrick Wolf and Mystery Jets . It was during this period Moulettes played at the Mystery Jets Eel Pie Island parties and forged friendships with some of the best indie, progressive, psychedelic and new -wave folk musicians around.

Very soon after this creative time Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons recruited Ted, Rob Skipper left to join The Holloways and Georgina went to live in Australia. Determined to document the many songs that had been played live during that period Hannah, Ruth and Oliver forged a newly arranged 3 piece. It was on this foundation that the unique sound for the first album was made. Also during this period Oliver, Ruth and Hannah helped found Sotones Music Co-operative label in Southampton and released their first split single Wilderness with Peter Lyons. However, after a few years of seeing Moulettes at 'The Den of Iniquity’, Seasick Steve's previous management/label who had been courting the band for a while offered to release the coming album on Balling the Jack records.

Moulettes: 2009–11

The album was recorded in Winchester at Valley Studios where Rob Skipper and Oliver Austin originally met. The album was mixed by Neil Kennedy at The Ranch in Southampton. Near the end of the sessions Georgina announced her return from Australia 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 Band of Skulls on “Requiem”. The band toured the ambitious record in the UK and Europe as a quintet.

The Bear's Revenge: 2011–12

The band returned to Winchester to record with Ben Startup and joined forces with Joe Gibb (Leftfield, Catatonia, Kinks) to co-produce their second album. The sessions saw the return of Ted Dwane on Double bass and the addition of Jim Mortimore (Son of drummer Malcolm Mortimore), Laura Hockenhull of the Copper Family, and Faye Houston. Guest appearances include Liz Green on ‘Blood And Thunder’, Bonjoist Matt Menefee (Cadillac Sky, Chessboxer) and Ríoghnach Connolly (folk singer, flute and whistle).

Hannah, Ruth, Oliver, Georgina, Rob and Jim toured the album. During this period the band played man festivals including Cropredy and toured with the Levellers, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Mumford and Sons and a support show with Seasick Steve at the Hammersmith Apollo. Georgina Leach and Rob Arcari left the band by the end of the album campaign.

Third album - Constellations

The band's third album was released on 2 June 2014 on Navigator Records. Hannah, Oliver, Jim and Ruth began pre-production at their home studios and at Metway Studios with Al Scott (the Levellers) and re-located to Lewes Old Foundry studios. Joe Gibb, returned to co-produce the album with band member Oliver Austin. The album session saw many Brighton and Sussex players getting involved as well as some from further afield from a variety of music disciplines. Special guests include:

Herbie Flowers (Lou Reed, David Bowie, T-Rex, War Of The Worlds), Arthur Brown, Emma Richardson (Band of Skulls), Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets), The Unthanks, Nick Pynn (Stewart Lee, The Incredible String Band), Emma Gatrill (Sons of Noel and Adrian), Marcus Hamblett (Laura Marling, Willy Mason, Eyes and no Eyes), Dan Smith (Noisettes), Anja McClosky (The Irrepressibles), Faye Houston (The Resonators), Campbell Austin (T S Idiot, Moneytree), Laura Hockenhull, Matt Gest, Anisa Arslanagic, Mike Simmonds (Alice Russell, Bonobo, Nick Cave, Bjorn Dahlberg, Fredrik Kinbom, Laura Impallomeni and Bruce Stephens.

Hannah, Ruth, Ollie, Jim and Anisa Arslanagic began to tour the album and were joined by Emma Gatrill, Kate Young and Eliza Jaye at different stages. The band once again played many festivals including Stage 2 (Cambridge Folk Festival), Avalon stage (Glastonbury Festival) and (Bestival) and supported (Bellowhead).

Fourth album - Preternatural

The Fourth album is with the newest member Raevennan Husbandes on Electric guitar and Vocals. The album's concept is apparently about "Strange Creatures". It was Produced by the band and mixed by Jim Mortimore. The band recorded it in Malcolm Mortimore's Gentle Giant, home studio after Headline touring in UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Canada with Three Friends. Out May in UK. Canada July.

External links

• Official website
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