The Rayographs are a UK trio. At first listen they’re reminiscent of Grace Slick working with the Breeders, but they tap into a dark psychedelia that’s quite different than the sounds created by the sisters Deal. A closer approximation would be a piano-free White Magic. It’s lame to affix a bunch of female comparisons to an all-female band, but the comparisons fit (as does a mention of Patti Smith, sorry). To move beyond that, though, and deeper into the Rayographs themselves, the band’s made up of guitarist/vocalist Astrud Steehouder, bassist/vocalist Jessamine Tierney, and drummer/sometime vocalist Amy Hurst. The three create a dark, intense, rollicking sound, but the real hook is Steehouder’s voice. It’s where the Grace Slick comparison comes into play. Check out her repetitions of “everyone needs a heroine” in “Green Light” or the power she puts into “Hidden Doors.”
The above tracks = the band’s first 7″: The A Side’s “Hidden Doors” and the AA side’s “Golden Light.” They released it via Everyone We Know in a handmade (black lino) edition of 500. You can order a copy at their MySpace. Speaking of which, the Rayographs are the rare band who have MySpace updates that are actually worth reading. See, for instance, their thoughts toward a William Blake project. If you’re in Paris: They play 4/11 at La Fleche D’Or. Steehouder said to expect “quite a few shows” before that date, too. Otherwise, expect a second single out in late March. They’re also writing material for their full-length debut.
[Photo Polly Clegg]
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Not that any of the reference bands listed on this story are fictitious, I’m sure they are not, but I’ve never heard of half of them which gives me a wicked idea. I’m going to write a review comparing a band purely to fictitious bands that I just make up. People will think I am so eclectically underground they will bring a shovel just to visit me.
I’m sure you’ve heard of Jefferson Airplane/Starship (Grace Slick’s bands), The Pixies (Kim Deal’s band, who with her sister heads The Breeders) and Patti Smith (no explanation needed I hope)
White Magic is a current psychedelic act with female lead vocals
you need to study up on music history, youngin’!
Jeremy, how did you find this site? You don’t seem to know anything about music…
That being said, they do sound a lot like Grace Slick, very cool, I like it
This is the first “band to watch” I’ve read, and downloaded. I like a lot. Thanks. Can’t wait for a full-len gth.
“Hidden Doors” is great, love her voice.
The girl in the forefront is a cutie.
I hear a little Siouxsie influence.
William Blake Rocks!!!