Masterton launch for debut EP

PSYCHEDELIC FOLK: Melting Faces are Daniel O'Brien, Blair Clarke, Ben Lovell and Jesse Betham-Walsh. PHOTO/FACEBOOK

Psychedelic folk band Melting Faces are to release their debut EP From The Boardroom in Masterton next week.

The four-piece unit from Wellington will perform at King Street Live in Masterton on May 8 to launch the eight-track debut, says band vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Blair Clarke.

The band will be rolling out the EP nationwide at launch performances advertised for specific towns and cities where the band will play, Clarke said.

"To celebrate the release of the EP, we'll be doing our tour and release a little differently to most bands these days.

"Instead of doing one nationwide tour and release all at the same time, we'll take a slower and more local approach. Each show will be advertised as a release show for that specific town or city."

The Masterton show also will feature Dan Boobyer and Rainbow Warrior in support, he said.

Melting Faces has in the past shared the stage with Wellington acts including Brockaflowersaurus Rex and the Blueberry Biscuits, Funkacyben, Polter, Killing Bear, Clarke said, and had been likened to "an amalgamation of Sly and the Family Stone, Elliott Smith, Pearl Jam, jr Kimbrough, and Pink Floyd".

Clarke, who also plays in Brockaflowersaurus Rex and the Blueberry Biscuits, said the Melting Faces EP was recorded in the capital at "the iconic building where The Surgery used to be located", in a room called The Boardroom. The Surgery building is being demolished to make way for an apartment block.

All eight songs on the EP were penned by Melting Faces and the debut was mixed and mastered by Andy Hoy, Clarke said.

"We have a penchant for extensively dynamic performances with psychedelic textures drawing on a wide range of influences,"he said.

Melting Faces includes Jesse Betham-Walsh on guitar and vocals, Clarke on vocals, saxophones, flutes, and taonga puoro, Daniel O'Brien on bass, and former Hoon player Ben Lovell on drums.

"From The Boardroom is an introduction to the world of Melting Faces. Psychedelic textures, grunge stylings, epic jams, and dirty funk, with the overall concept of real song writing," Clarke said.

"We wear our influences on our sleeve, whether it be Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Sly and the Family Stone, Neil Young or Pink Floyd.

"It's a brief glimpse into what Melting Faces are capable of."

Pre-sale tickets for the Melting Faces show at King Street Live cost $5 each at www.dashtickets.co.nz and door sales will be available on the night at $10.

Digital downloads of their debut EP will be available on Bandcamp and iTunes from May 8 and CD copies will be on sale during their release performances as well.