|
Salon Kingsadore is an upbeat instrumental combo with points of reference as diverse as surf guitar, jazz, European film soundtracks and psychedelic rock.
In early 2000, the band formed to write music for a local stage play. A couple of years later they released the vaguely spy movie- ish EP, 'Flaming Morricone' (2002) which featured the virtuosity of Ruby Chen, and is probably one of the first rock recordings in NZ to feature the Taiwanese zither. In 2004 they released their debut album 'Salon Kingsadore', which introduced them to a varied audience of music fans. A short time later, they were invited to perform at a Film Festival in Italy.
Returning with their second full- length album, 'Hotel Azteca' is a dramatic departure from their debut. While 'Salon Kingsadore' featured melodic dual lead guitar as the central element of the group’s sound, 'Hotel Azteca' ventures into more rhythmic and improvisational territory, without losing their cinematic sense of melody and structure.
Reviews for Salon Kingsadore
"I was knocked out by the inventiveness, maturity and musicianship in general… It was clear to me that this was one of 2004’s standout local releases and I inevitably featured it in my ‘best of the year’ programme just before Christmas." - Nick Bollinger - National Radio
"Even without a mouth they're not shy of decent tunes - it might be instrumental but there's little post-rock austerity in this set… sprightly mid-tempo indie-rock of a vocal-free but jazzy imagination and deft lightness of touch. Quite Kingsadorable." - Russell Baillie - NZ Herald
"Like an imaginary instrumental surf group hired by David Lynch for some surreal homage to an endless wrap- up party, Salon Kingsadore might reference groups like Stereolab and even Tortoise, but they come out sounding just like themselves." - Gary Steel - Metro
"Timeless… inventive melodic explorations… defies classification." **** - D.O.B - Rip It Up
"Touches of Latin beats, jazz groove and shimmering guitars… very filmic music – perfect for themes to any number of cool movies you could name." - Baz Lawrence - Horsey Magazine
"One of the more interesting indie bands in New Zealand at the moment… SK refreshingly ventures into the largely untapped territory of utterly cinematic, instrumental soundscapes reminiscent of Ennio Morricone… a breath of fresh air." **** - Kiran Dass - Sunday Star Times
"Salon Kingsadore’s darkest moments can be utterly beautiful." - Adrian Osman - Real Groove
"A classic set of songs… engaging from beginning to end." - JSA - Staple Magazine
"Out of step with other vocal free styles and outfits, and that is welcomed." - Shaun Chait - New Zealand Musician
"Think pulsing Stereolab meeting twanging Shadows at the milk bar" - Dominic Blaazer - New Zealand Musician
"Strange NZ band that combines surf with new age, ambient and jazz. Really hard to file… but sounds really awesome. Strange, kinda romantic- very recommended to anybody who wants to hear something strange and cool." - No Brains Zine - (The Netherlands)
Band Members:
Gianmarco Liguori (guitar)
Chris Dawson (drums, percussion)
Hayden Sinclair (bass)
Billy Squire (fender rhodes, hammond organ)
Artist Website
|
