MUSIC BY NUMBERS are a female fronted 6 piece, who feel passionately about song writing and music - they have many influences, but currently they appreciate the spirit of blues /soul with less cliché and a northern twist.
They are influenced by many different styes and genres of music which are conveyed in their musical output, typically Mancunian they don't like to imitate, instead they like to combine musical influences in synthesis.
With a wide gigging history including a brief support slot with New York band, Yeasayer, Music by Numbers appreciate hearing from all their fans and myspace friends.
The band are currently in the process of completing a series of recordings, hopefully previews of which will be up on here as soon as they are complete.Nina Finlay writes...
BBC Liverpool, Barfly Review."Also worth a mention, were their predecessors on stage, a support band called ..Music by Numbers’, this Manchester crew, with their beautiful vocals & lyrics coupled with some admirable electric bass & guitar, were outstanding."
m19 bar /www.aiden.co.uk .........Karen is offered a lift to the Academy by the band, Music by numbers, where she plans to photograph Ash. The bishop has gone and the chocolate has run out. The night is slowing down now and so I take the opportunity to speak with the kindly band MBN before they go. I ask them about the song 'north country song' and apologise for missing their set. They graciously forgive me and explain that the song is based on a tragic tale of a beautiful woman who has lived an unfortunate life. The tale is a sad one though ends with an optimistic twist. This story kind of sums MBN up, they are very optimistic, they have a right to be too because they are damn good. They then inform me that they have had thirteen thousand downloads within the last five months. So, do not take my word for it. You all know what to do, and I'll say it again: Check out their Myspace and check out M19’s website while you are at it.
Guestlist review January 2nd 2008:
Music By Numbers are, judging from these two tracks, not about to be pigeon holed anytime soon. This female fronted four piece have, according to their web site, a wide range of influences from DJ Shadow to Marvin Gaye and Jill Scott, and this can be heard in their eclectic music.
Both tracks are extremely well produced. 'Icarus Good' surprises me when it begins, opening as it does with computer generated beats, pounding bass and soaring instrumental samples. Frontwoman, Selene’s vocals sound much like the highly produced dance vocals that can be heard in the chart nowadays and are no less accomplished for it. The track is not quite to my taste, a little too electronic and sample based, I don’t feel that it shows off the band as well as it could do. However, all the right elements are there and the market it out there for music as superbly produced as this.
Off the back of ‘Icarus Good’, ‘Static’ is a pleasant surprise, for my musical tastes at least. This track showcases Selene’s incredible voice nicely, it is much more soulful and natural than the earlier song.
The melody on ‘Static’ is beautiful, and it is just as polished as ‘Icarus Good’ with lovely backing vocals and perfectly pitched guitar hooks. The song builds to a powerful, emotive anthem before ending on a much quieter, gentler note.
So, a truly eclectic band, one that I’m sure will have a track for everyone to like judging from the wide reaching influences they have, and the multi genres of these two tracks.Words - Sarah B.
