BIOGRAPHY
Sound Menagerie are a music duo from the UK consisting of singer Abi Parker and songwriter and musician Stephen C Wilson (Guitar/Bass Guitar).
Their music incorporates a variety of enigmatic and carefully crafted songs defined by soft, dreamy vocals creating a unique menagerie of sound, a blend of folk rock, dream pop, melodic and experimental compositions with spells of psychedelia and 60s and 90s influences.
Albums and Releases
In 2011 Sound Menagerie issued their 'Far Or Through' album. This was the first album Steve and Abi worked on together and they chose a Lo-Fi and experimental approach to the recording process completing much of the album at home with only minimal overdubs added in the studio. The album gained airplay from a number of radio stations around the world. In conjunction with this release, they were given the their own dedicated radio show on Canadian radio station Woody Radio. This was followed later in the year by 'The Silver Tree' single.
In 2015 Sound Menagerie released their 'Clocks & Towers' EP along with an expanded edition album on CD through Monochrome Chair Records. Several tracks were produced by Stereolab's Andy Ramsay including the single 'Stay With Me' which received much praise and airplay being described as 'wonderfully melodic perfect pop' with a 'catchy folk vibe'. 'Clocks & Towers' featured guest appearances from Andy Ramsay (Stereolab/Europa 51), Joe Watson (Stereolab/Junior Electronics), Jon Clayton (Blusher/Charlotte Hatherley) and Rowan Robertson (Dio/DC4/Vast). The colourful clock tower cover artwork was created for Sound Menagerie by artist Ann Charlesworth. 'Clocks & Towers' was widely praised and described as a collection of 'enigmatic and carefully crafted songs'
“The wonderfully melodic perfect pop of 'Stay With Me was one of the tracks to be born out of the sessions at Press Play Studios. The bands last release, the album 'Far Or Through' came out in 2011 and gained airplay from a number of radio stations. The exposure has seen the band gain a number of fans with the vast majority of these coming from the USA and Canada.” UN Sung Magazine
"Melodic rhythms and a sliding chorus that has a catchy folk vibe really gives the track a lot of character...Sighing, glittering vocals make it quite bewitching and it all creates a highly intriguing atmosphere that draws you in. With so much strong character in the song, it's little wonder why you're left with the remnants of it still playing in your head after it finishes...Have a listen to Stay With Me here and begin your weird, sparkly fairytale dream!” Stay With Me track review from showmeomethingifferent.com
“The album 'clocks' in at 52 minutes of enigmatic and carefully crafted songs, plenty to get lost in on a summer afternoon or late evening....” Review of 'Clocks & Towers' by Cambridge Music Reviews
In 2017 Sound Menagerie released their 'House Of Yesterdays' album. The album gained airplay from a number of radio stations around the world and was also widely praised. The title track was described as 'sixties spookiness' and an album 'recalling yesterdays when pop could challenge your senses with tidy twists and turns of key and tempo to keep your interest and keep you on your toes'
“Sound Menagerie - House of Yesterdays. Recent track of sixties spookiness from dreamy psychedelic revivalists. There is no-one else in the city quite like them.” Cambridge Music Reviews
“A House of Yesterdays.
... recalling yesterdays when pop could challenge your senses with tidy twists and turns of key and tempo to keep your interest and keep you on your toes...This deserves to be heard.” Dirk Speksnijder
In March 2021 Sound Menagerie released their song 'Close The Door' as a single featuring Echobelly's Glenn Johansson on guest guitar with violin arranged and performed by Sharon Sullivan. The single release was accompanied by an animation.
Sound Menagerie have gained airplay on a variety of radio stations around the world including on BBC Music Introducing.
“Their sound intrigued the Introducing team when listening to some of the tracks sent into them recently...Influences for their sound come from far and wide and represent all the years of listening to songs separately and together.” BBC Introducing Norfolk
Sound Menagerie are currently working on new material.