London by-way-of-Los Angeles indie-folk rocker ED VALLANCE will be making his indelible first impression on the American landscape this November with his mini-album The Modern Life (Rebel Group), a collection of jagged acoustic gems, as lyrically engaging as they are catchy. Recently transplanted from London to Southern California, Ed Vallance carves his own place in the independent canon with a synthesis of 60's psychedelic folk and alternative rock a la Talk Talk, The Smiths and The Stone Roses.
Ed Vallance is well recognized on today's music scene for his preternatural knack for engaging, catchy songwriting. Among his admirers is the father of 60s folk-rock, Donovan, who has declared, "I love his groove…and his vocal attitude."
Vallance's UK hit "Deep End" received play on VH1, MTV2 and BBC Radio, where DJ Gary Crowley declared him to be: "a truly unique talent." His music has won over tastemakers such as KCRW Los Angeles DJs Nic Harcourt and Garth Trinidad as well as Chuck P and Sat Bisla of INDIE 103.1, where Ed has made several on-air appearances.
On stage, he has opened for the likes of Richard Lloyd of Television, Architecture in Helsinki, and Maximo Park. Vallance's songs have also made their way over to film, with an appearance in Faye Jackson's "Lump," which was screened at the Palm Springs and LA Shorts Festivals to acclaim from New York Magazine.
The Modern Life, recorded over the past few years in various sessions, reflects Vallance's transcontinental existence at the time of its recording: music firmly rooted in Anglican pop and folk infiltrated by California-style laid-back psychedelia. Nowhere is this more evident than in the album's title track, "The Modern Life," a jazzy shuffle with deceptive melodic twists, augmented by ethereal keyboards, echoey sound effects and Byrds-like harmonies.
Of the song, Ed explains, "Sometimes it feels like we're all being distracted by a big game show. I imagined 'The Modern Life' as the title of that game show."
You can feel the edgy paranoia in the song's vocals, delivered in Vallance's most arresting tenor: "Well blood's blood, isn't it? / But it's good for business / And business is good / In The Modern Life''.
Elsewhere, "Deep End" continues Vallance's dystopian worldview: "What are you laughing for? / You got drafted in the Third World War / And if you want to know anything it's easy / You just flip to Channel Four" Ed's immediately recognizable vocal stylings are surrounded by open-chord guitar strumming, poignant piano strains and gentle reverb.
The album also features the breathtaking "Echo Hill," Vallance's tribute to Los Angeles, replete with cello, accordion and Leslie-amplified guitars. Communicating the excitement of life in his new home, Ed sings, "See the moon on Echo Hill / Telescope trained on the stars / Shaking hands and parking cars / Over and over." The Modern Life was produced by Andrew Williams (Old 97's, Peter Case, T-Bone Burnett) and Vallance himself.
Don't miss your chance to enjoy all that The Modern Life has to offer on November 4th – just let Ed Vallance show you the way.
www.myspace.com/edvallance
Tour Dates
CD release show Monday, October 20th 9:00 PM -Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles, CA
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