BBC Radio Wales’ Janice Long on Seatbelts’ EP Songs For Vonnegut
Hooton Tennis Club, a group I have championed, have “decided to be quiet for a bit”. However, Ryan Murphy and James Madden - one half of the band - are beavering away under the name Seatbelts. Their first available track is Hey, Hey Tiger!.
One of life’s great pleasures is returning home from my show, sitting at the kitchen table and listening to the music that has been sent to me that day.
That’s how I discovered this little gem. More spoken than sung, it is just over two-and-a-half minutes of radio-friendly modern psychedelia, set to a wonderful, mesmerising rhythm.
Apparently James’ mum’s chip pan took a battering to achieve this. It is somewhat unconventional in both its structure and rhythm, but dirty guitar and a prominent bassline bring it all together.
I have been playing this on my show and I have already booked them for a session. I have been lucky enough to hear the rest of the Songs For Vonnegut EP, which will be out in May.
Seatbelts may have been picking up some ‘60s and ‘70s influences, but they’ve transported them to now in a very exciting way.
Janice Long
DJ, BBC Radio Wales
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