Spokes - People Like People Like You
(CD) Counter Records COUNTCD020, 2009-04-06
(Download) Counter Records COUNTDNL020, 2009-02-23

Tracklisting:
01. We Like To Dance & Steal Things
02. Young People! All Together
03. Scatter : I Miss You
04. Precursor
05. Sometimes Words Are Too Slow
06. End Credits/Loveletter

Links:
myspace.com/spokessound
myspace.com/everyonelabel
counterrecords.com

Press Release:
People Like People Like You is the stunning debut record from Manchester quintet Spokes, released on their own Everyone Label imprint. It's a contemplative affair taking in post-rock and shoe-gaze, yet manages to defy mere pigeonholing in its blend of raucous folk and pure pop.

Spokes are originally from the rolling hills of North East England, which perhaps explains the rustic feel of their reverb-soaked, violin-coated sound, one that has been compared to Canada's Arcade Fire and Do Make Say Think. People Like People Like You is already causing great excitement in the independent press receiving 'album of the week' status on Boomkat and glittering reviews on Don't Panic and Angry Ape. Ones to watch in 2008, their ambitious live performances combine field recordings and accidental noise with a delicate but powerful 5 piece band.

"The opening track "We Like To Dance and Steal Things" echoes Radiohead's seemingly unparalleled ability to make popular music challenge and defy the middle of the road, opening with a beautifully arranged instrumental passage that builds and escalates into a tumble of crescendo and tempered euphoria". While this stand out 'single' has received prime-time airplay on BBC Radio, 'Sometimes Words Are Too Slow' explores a larger template with its wailing strings and marching drums. 'End Credits/Loveletter' ends the record with genuine moment of improvisation; a solitary piano recorded without realising the tape was still running, opening a door onto the private world of Spokes.

"It's incredibly easy to fall in love with an album when it takes in elements of slow-core, post-rock, shoe-gaze, folk and pop music so effortlessly… Absolutely gorgeous stuff and a real find…" - ('Album of the week', Boomkat.com)

"Given the right push Spokes have the potential to breach the mainstream, the potential is there for all to see on this record. Memories of your first experience of Broken Social Scene or even Arcade Fire are sure to come flooding back, as the five-piece tap into the celebratory nature of both revered Canadian acts. Spokes are definite 'ones to watch', long may it continue." - (Angry Ape)

Press Release for "Spokes March 2009 Tour PR"
Spokes are gearing up for a UK tour having signed a deal with Ninja Tune's indie off-shoot Counter Records. Their passionate live show combines dramatic strings, majestic howls and a wall of sound that's been compared to the work of 60's pioneer Phil Spector.

2009 promises to be one hell of a year for the guys and gal with the re-release of People Like People Like You, which originally appeared as a self-funded venture last year. They are also writing and recording new material for a follow up later this year.

Catch them on the road in March at the following shows :
Fri 20th - Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh
Sat 21st - TBC, Glasgow
Mon 22nd - Green Room, Sheffield*
Tues 23rd - The Cluny, Newcastle*
Wed 24th - Roadhouse, Manchester*
Thurs 25th - Mad Ferret, Preston*
Fri 26th - The Packhorse, Leeds*
Sat 27th - Sumo, Leicester*
Sun 28th - Arts Depot (Tally Ho! Day Fest), London