Introducing...
Richard Peter Snapes and the Lie Awakes
by Brendan Mckenna

Artist: Richard Peter Snapes and the Lie Awakes
Think Cats and Cats and Cats meets Arcade Fire. Brilliant.

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Richard Peter Snapes and the Lie Awakes
Who are they?
Richard Peter Snapes and the Lie Awakes are an exciting five-piece from the Midlands. Playing a lot of live gigs in the Northampton area, the band have recently supported a number of up-and-coming types including 4 Or 5 Magicians and The All New Adventures Of Us on their recent album launch gig.

What do they sound like?
Don't let the basic (but charming) demos on their MySpace fool you, the band actually have a very full, busy sound with trumpets, accordions and glockenspiel all playing key roles in a lot of their music. This barrage of sound is complemented nicely by the fragile, grainy vocals of Richard Peter Snapes, which quite brilliantly haunt a number of the band's songs.

Why are they so great?
The band's huge sound is managed very well live with their performances as captivating as the music on offer. From guitars to glockenspiel, every instrument is played with a real passion, and this infectious style really rubs off in to their live sound. Richard Peter Snapes also plays a number of solo songs live, which would be a fairly risky move if they weren't performed in such an effortlessly impressive manner.

What should I be checking out?
'Land We Share' is a perfect example of this stripped-down style the band have produced. Introduced by some beautiful guitars, accompanied by some lovely xylophone, it's somewhat reminiscent of early Shins in a reflective, wishful way. Richard's tentative vocals feel right at home in this one, as the shy little song floats along like a fantastic dream.

Quite unsurprisingly, the accordion features quite predominantly during 'Accordion Song', one of the band's strongest songs, and is played with a delicacy and tenderness that is so befitting for the song's character. You feel as if you could pull the track apart if you treated it too roughly, but its fragile nature is one of its best attributes. Richard's vocals are heart-wrenching, and the sound produced by the rest of the band is spot on, think Cats and Cats and Cats meets Arcade Fire. Brilliant.

Richard Peter Snapes and the Lie Awakes Official Site
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