Panic Room was formed following the break-up of UK rock group, Karnataka, and features 4 members of the original award winning line-up. The band's music ranges from intimate acoustic songs to full-on multi-layered symphonic prog rock, while retaining a contemporary edge.
With this line-up the quality of the songwriting and musicianship will be familiar to fans of the original Karnataka, but Panic Room also experiments with new directions to create an original multi-faceted sound.
"For our debut album we really wanted to explore all the different kinds of music that turn us on and make something fresh and original. Because of the common background in Karnataka that Anne, Paul, Gavin and myself shared it was inevitable that some elements of our musical past would resurface in Panic Room's music, but there are so many other influences and elements coming through as well.
I'm really excited with the way that it's all turning out - I think the sound that we have created is something that is uniquely ours and we can't wait to share this music with you. At the end of the day the reason we're doing this is because we feel that we have to... we're driven to create these songs and for us it's all about making connections; musicians and audience connecting through the music. So we're looking forward to making the connection with all of you ... it just can't happen too soon." (Jon)
The band:
Paul Davies - an endlessly creative soloist, with Panic Room Paul continues to display the electric magic that he first presented on stage with Karnataka. His guitar playing is an integral part of the Panic Room sound.
Jonathan Edwards - one of Karnataka's main songwriters, Jon continues to stretch his songwriting imagination to encompass rock, folk, jazz and prog influences in the evergrowing palette of sound that is Panic Room.
Gavin John Griffiths - an amazing drummer and all-round nice guy, Gavin is the powerhouse behind the Panic Room sound. Another former Karnataka member, Gavin is also currently drumming for Fish and has appeared with Mostly Autumn on their recent tours.
Anne-Marie Helder - singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Anne-Marie has co-written all the songs on the forthcoming album with Jon and is the voice and lyricist of Panic Room. A wonderfully rich and emotive singer, her voice is the common thread running through the wide and varied sounds of the band. For the debut album she explores futuristic dsytopian sci-fi worlds and Arabian night fantasies as well as writing achingly honest love songs and shows herself to be an original and wide ranging lyricist. A former member of Tiger Dragon and Karnataka, she also enjoys a prolific solo career and has supported many major artists.
Alun Vaughan - although primarily a jazz bassist, Alun claims to have been inspired to take up the bass after seeing Gene Simmons on stage with Kiss and it is this combination of rock and jazz sensibilities that he brings to Panic Room. A tasteful and compelling player with amazing improvisational skills.
*** The debut album will also feature some fantastic performances on violin from special guests, Liz Prendergast, of folk-rock legends, The Blue Horses and on acoustic guitars, Peter Charlton ***
For information about the past and present musical adventures of Panic Room members visit the following websites:
www.annemariehelder.com - information on Anne-Marie's solo career, various collaborations and band projects.
www.alunvaughan.com - information on Alun's musical world.
www.thereasoning.com - website for Welsh progressive band The Reasoning, whose line-up includes original Karnataka singer, Rachel Jones and ex-Magenta bassist, Matthew Cohen.
www.karnataka.org.uk - website for progressive band, Karnataka - contains information on the original line-up, as well as news and information about the new line-up.
