CANTALOUPE - Zoetrope LP
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Nottingham-based synth/guitar/drums quartet Cantaloupe released their debut 10 track album Zoetrope on limited edition 12” vinyl and digital download through Hello Thor Records on Monday 16 March 2015.
Hello Thor first fell in love with Cantaloupe and their electronic pop music when they played an exhilarating set for us in a shopping arcade, shut down after 12 minutes by an angry autograph seller. We took our relationship to the next level with the release of their debut single, the 4 track Teapot EP, in 2012, which was picked up by Gideon Coe (BBC 6 Music) and Huw Stephens (Radio 1).
In 2013, we got down on one knee and asked them to put out a 12” with us. Sure, the proposal might have come after a wine or two, but once we’d sobered up we realised we still meant it. Phew. The euphoric Krautrock boogie of Splish/Wet Dog did not disappoint, arriving complete with a shimmering remix by Wax Stag and again being trumpeted across the airwaves (“I love that record - it‘s just so happy and joyous” Huw Stephens).
Now, after a year of recording and playing live - including a well-loved set at Liverpool Psych Fest in 2014 – we couldn't be happier to announce the arrival of Zoetrope: a collection of 10 lush, effervescent, endlessly inventive and oddly reflective pop songs, including Cantaloupe’s first non-instrumental tracks (featuring the vocal talents of new band member Eleanor Lee and Tom A.D).
Zoetrope shows off Cantaloupe’s full gamut of swirling sound and emotion - from the groovy hedonism of opener Big Kiss to the swish synthpop of Indigo; from the unyielding hands-in-the-air hardcore of live favourite 0891 50 50 50 to the queasy, introspective, haunting melodicism of Labour and Love. We’re never entirely sure what exactly it is that Cantaloupe do, but we know it makes us feel a bit sexy, like punching the air and GLAD TO BE ALIVE.
For fans of: Stereolab, The Human League, Tortoise, Kraftwerk, Patrick Cowley, Harmonia, Holy Fuck, K. Frimpong, Daft Punk, Giorgio Moroder, S.E. Rogie, Battles, Quack Quack, Air, theme tunes to 70s cop shows, punching the air, chat-lines.
Zoetrope is produced by Peter Fletcher (Escapologists, Seachange, Kagoule, Kogumaza).
Cantaloupe is Aaron Doyle (drums), Eleanor Lee (synth/vocals), John Simson (synths) & David Stockwell (guitars).