Esben and the Witch come to Birmingham on Feb 7th, playing the Hare and Hounds, as part of a 16 date European tour.
Formed back in 2008, the Brighton born three piece have established a solid following; defining themselves through intelligent references within dark, melodic rock.
Self releasing their first EP, ‘33’, in 2009, Esben signed to Matador Records in 2010 – releasing their debut album, ‘Violet Cries’, in Jan 2011.
Two years later, and Esben are back on the road with a new album, ‘Wash the Sins Not Only the Face’, released on Jan 22nd.
Known for their ‘intelligent exploration of gothic aesthetics’ (Gothic, NOT GOTH), and named after a pretty gruesome Danish fairytale, Esben & the Witch “wanted to create something that was warmer, and slightly more uplifting” for their second long player.
Holing themselves up in a countryside bungalow, lead singer, Rachel Davies, states the band wanted “to create a body of work that was written in one concentrated period of time… to isolate ourselves from everything and write the songs while we were in this space”; encouraging a different direction to their “claustrophobic, and dense, and challenging” 2011 debut.
And so far it seems to be working, with ‘Wash the Sins Not Only the Face’ getting national press attention for its ‘intricate, swirly dream-rock’, ‘glacial soundscape’ and ‘strangely appealing, abrasive groove’.
But Birmingham can decide for itself, on Feb 7th at the Hare and Hounds; with support from Ex Easter Island Head and Skull TV.
Esben and the Witch play the Hare and Hounds on Feb 7th, brought to you by This Is Tmrw.
For details on this, and other gigs at the venue, visit http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/event-listings/event/?eventID=10023840
For more on Esben and the Witch, visit http://www.esbenandthewitch.co.uk