NEW MUSIC: Hello Gecko release debut EP
‘The Immortal Jellyfish’, is a sound wave you simply have to ride, writes Tom W. Coombs
Psychedelic, funk-fuelled bass, mixed with ethereal sounds and inducing a relaxed trip hop feel. This may sound like I am talking about a great summer in Margate, alas no, I am trying to explain the debut EP ‘The Immortal Jellyfish’ from Kent based band Hello Gecko.
The 2018 Herne Bay Rocks winners, which include a Visual DJ to bring the sounds to life for the band, are Abigail Hubbard (Vocals/Guitar), Dan Masters (Bass), Ed Lewis (Drums), Rick Domingo (Guitar) Nick Powling (Keyboards/Synths) and Marc Chazot (Visuals). I have been thinking about where to put the electronic, pop, psychedelic, trip hop, prog rock indie band in my mind but gave up, so you can decide on your own genre.
Kent, as we know, has a broad range of music, but for me this is a certain sound I loved to hear - totally different, yet also familiar. ‘The Immortal Jellyfish’ starts with the title track, a mix of rock riffs, electro vibes and a heavy funk bassline, plus a 60s-style rhythm guitar thrown in for good measure; sounds messy right? But this compound of sound works perfectly together, even though on paper they really shouldn’t. If one thing is certain, this troupe know its music.
With such a sound overload, it would be easy for Abigail's vocals to seem like the tip of the iceberg in this primordial soup of music; but, instead, they are the binder for it, keeping it all from straying too far.
They just flow like an ocean current, changing and morphing by the track. if that is not enough for you, each song also transcends into drum and bass for small sections - most noticeable in tracks ‘Pause’ and ‘The Immortal Jellyfish’. Just for good measure, ‘Afraid of Change’ offers a heavy dose of the relaxed prog rock side of Hello Geckos’ sound.
Hello Gecko have played numerous venues across Kent, from the Penny Theatre in Canterbury to the Booking Hall in Dover and at Margate’s ‘Save Yourself Fest’ last summer. And with this strong debut release, I would say this is one band to keep your eyes and ears on. Catch them live when you can, even if just to see the trippy visuals that add a great dynamic to the bands live shows.
We have added the song ‘Pause’ to the ‘cene #KeepitKent Spotify Playlist HERE