Not to be pigeon holed, Dukes of Portland have moved through various musical guises over the last few years to much critical acclaim. The Dukes won there first praise being voted in as one of the “UK’s top ten unsigned bands” from Radio One’s Oneworld website off the back of their first ep. A youthful work; “First Fruits” represents a foundation of influences from The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds, forged through contemporary song writing and a harmony rich production with Piano, Accordion, Rhodes, Hammond, Mouth Organ and 12-string guitar all featuring. The dukes refreshing debut gave rise to performances at Manchester’s “In the City” music conference and numerous BBC radio sessions the same year.
The country-tinged pop sound of “Come in no.23” was to follow First Fruits as the second independent release. A commercial awareness and extensive track listing present a more mainstream sound altogether here. “Expect to see them on Jools Holland at some point in the near future..” exclaimed Manchester Music, in one review. And while the country ballad “Oh Loved” stood on merit in the final rounds of the ISC songwriters contest in Nashville, the band toured their latest work, supporting “Boy Kill Boy” and climbing to the top five in download.com’s alt country chart.
Lots more writing, lots more shows and lots of new sound bring us up to date. Gigs with the likes of “Little Barrie” and ex dodgy “Nigel Clarke” have provided a solid test bed for what will be the third Dukes of Portland EP. Their strongest work to date and their first real studio recording, we are told to again expect something new, dynamic and memorable. The band have retained all of their integrity while shedding their country skin and changing up a gear or two in the process. Sounds like something to look forward to if you ask me..
"Such a refreshing sound, I could listen to this all seasons. A highly promising debut".
Manchester Music, UK (on First Fruits).
"It’s immensely refreshing to hear Dukes of Portland describe themselves in a similar way to The Thrills, but then sound a million times better... an amazing voice, somewhere between Harvest era Neil Young and the youthful innocence of Damian Rice... This is a remarkable EP... making it one of the most delightful pieces of work High Voltage has ever listened to".
High Voltage, UK
"If you’re one of those people that still think that folk music is cool, you’ll love this. I could see these guys opening for Neil Young, CSN or even Mr. Dylan himself".
Gigs Unlimited, UK
"Primed for Radio 2 play... Expect to see them on Jools Holland at some point in the near future... it’s the kind of MOR that gets people asking for More".
Manchster Music, UK
"The band that don’t sound anything like a band from Northwich should!".
High Voltage, UK
"Out of the unsigned wilderness before long if there’s any justice left in this weird world... this is stylish, country-tinged pop... "First Fruits" and "Come In NO.23?" deserve to be the start of something illustrious indeed".
Whisperin & Hollerin
"Accomplished and I mean as good as anything you are likely to hear, They should, by rights, be giving the likes of Kings of Leon a good run for their money: and then there are ghosts of Gomez blowing in the brush".
Soundsxp
"Maaan, it was soooo Rock n’Roll!"
BBC Radio, UK
