Strangers in Polaroids - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Like most bands, they profess to having a wide range of sounds and influences. Yet for Strangers in Polaroids, it's a justifiable statement. Sweeping, graceful rock segues into thunderous drums and riffs, locking into jazzy, tribal grooves before venturing into effects-laden progressive and post-rock territories.
At the heart of these melting pot soundscapes are evocative melodies and harmonies, with lyrics tackling jealous lovers, murderous spouses, administration and the living dead.
Following an impressive string of debut gigs, which included supporting ex-Rival Schools legend Walter Schreifels, an Oxford homecoming for singer Matt, and their own Waiting for Winter gig promotions, the band released their debut EP at the end of January.
This year sees them continue this trajectory and having just completed a handful of dates across the UK the band are now preparing a new 2-track CD for a summer self-release.
Promoters interested in putting the band on should message this myspace or email: strangers [at] silverlightmedia [dot] com
If you would like to sign up to the band's mailing list for info on gigs, releases and to receive EXCLUSIVE FREE TRACKS, then send an email to the above address with the subject 'A stranger's just a friend you haven't met'
Visit us on: Last.fm | Facebook

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/7/2005
Band Members:

Matt Marlow
- Vocals, Guitar
Matt Forshaw
- Bass
Andrew Irving
- Drums, Percussion
Ian Williams
- Lead Guitar

Influences: Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Muse, Interpol, Bloc Party, Editors, Tom Vek, We Are Scientists, iForward,Russia!, Pixies, Sonic Youth, Biffy Clyro, ATD-I, YCNI:M, Kill Kenada, mewithoutYou, Rival Schools, Dive Dive, Reuben, Deftones, My Vitriol, Queens of the Stone Age, The Mars Volta, Sigur Ros, Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky, Elbow, Idlewild, Portishead, Massive Attack, PJ Harvey, The Smiths, The Cure
Sounds Like: "Must see Local Band 2008 + Top 10 Song 2007 (This Rift)"
// BBC TYNE

"Deep and foreboding like Editors, or an epic throng reminiscent of Arcade Fire... expect great things from Strangers in 2008."
// PULP MAGAZINE
(Single of the Week)

"Film noir starring Interpol as the cold-blooded killer, standing over the corpse of Six.by Seven."
// WORD OF MOUTH

"Mixing post-rock and post-punk to build cleverly structured brooding mini-operas, Strangers in Polaroids arenâ€™t likely to be strangers for too much longer."
// THE CRACK

"[They] match their erudition with melody, producing a decidedly cut-throat take on post-punkâ€¦ with serrated riffs tied to mechanistic rhythms."
// METRO

"A band on the rise... incisive, dark indie pop [with] something of Joy Division in the deadpan delivery."
// SHAM! MAGAZINE

â€œThe future can only hold good things for the Newcastle four pieceâ€¦ this is therapy dressed up as music, and it is simply marvellousâ€¦ exhilaratingly brilliant.â€
// CRITICAL MESS

"The vocals are beautifully ethereal, but musically it's a mix of chiming guitar and charging drums, combined with the vocals it's haunting and enchanting... a mesmerising stage presence."
// NARC MAGAZINE

"Matt's vocals are of the foreboding variety, succinct and unwavering in their delivery, and coupled with the progressive, post-rock lilting guitars and fervent drums and bass, the overall result is a beautifully rendered celestial soundâ€¦ you're suddenly dealing with something you can easily get lost in and find yourself returning to out of curiosity and bewitchmentâ€¦"
// EVENING CHRONICLE
Type of Label: None

My Blog

New Tracks: Life in a Box / Black and White

The lead track from our new CD, Life in a Box, is now online so please have a listen and let us know what you think. The second track, Black and White, will be up next week.If you want to listen in mu...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:16:00 PST

CD Launch Party @ Newcastle Academy

Friday 13th June @ Carling Academy 2, NewcastleSingle Launch // Where Angels Play Club NightDoors 10pm, band onstage at midnightFor FREE ENTRY GUESTLIST message us here or email your name(s) to strang...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Sat, 17 May 2008 04:04:00 PST

Tour April 08 / Road to V

Hello strangers!We’re on tour this month and would greatly appreciate you guys spreading the word. Message or comment us if you need any more details... *April 4th @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockt...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:52:00 PST

More Reviews / Recording

We're nearing the end of tracking. No amusing video diary related facial expressions this time I'm afraid! We'll try and make up for it during the final sessions. Meanwhile, back in the world of the N...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:25:00 PST

Studio Update / Single of the Week / Live Shots

We've been recording this weekend. We're considering putting out a mix with just the drums as they already sound MASSIVELY ACE by themselves! Guitars are being tracked later this week; we'll let you k...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:29:00 PST

Evening Chronicle Article 06.02.08

Band has original focus Feb 6 2008 by Gary Beckwith, Evening Chronicle SITTING cocooned in my dimly-lit broom cupboard here at Chronicle towers, it's always nice to be reminded or alerted to a band's...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:34:00 PST

Metro EP Review 29.01.08 / CDs available

Thanks to everyone who made our EP launch last night. If you were unlucky enough not to, you missed some of our favourite bands/acts play amazing sets. We were pretty good too. If you'd like a CD of o...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:34:00 PST

BBC Tyne - Best of 2007: Local Bands

Muchos gracias to Chris Peet of BBC Tyne for kindly mentioning us in his roundup of North East bands in 2007: http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/articles/2007/12/19/2007_m usic_review_feature.shtml...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:50:00 PST

2007 in Polaroids / Strangers in 2008

Thanks to everyone who came to gigs/said nice things in 2007. Special thanks to Holly Poynton and Tommy Jackson for their pieces in NARC and to Tommy and Richard Bartram for the photos. And extra sp...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 04:50:00 PST

NARC Interview 19.12.07

There is a feature on us in this month's NARC magazine. It was out December 19th and is available from all good record stores in the North East until the end of January. If you are too...
Posted by Strangers in Polaroids on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:38:00 PST