The Polyphonic Spree

• 4th Oct 2002

Signed to 679 Recordings, The Polyphonic Spree will release their debut LP, “The Beginning Stages Of…” on September 23rd. The band played at Reading and Leeds festivals this weekend and a special London show at the Union Chapel in Islington last night (27th August). The band will return for a full UK tour in October to coincide with the release of their single 'Hanging Around' released October 14th.

The full tour dates are:

Fri 18th October Edinburgh Queens Hall
Sat 19th October Sheffield Leadmill
Mon 21st October Nottingham Rock City
Tue 22nd October Manchester University
Wed 23rd October Brighton Concorde 2
Fri 25th October Northampton Roadmenders
Sat 26th October Liverpool Uni
Sun 27th October London Shepherds Bush Empire

The Polyphonic Spree began life in Texas on July 15th 2000 . The brainchild of Tim Delaughter, his original plan to create a band in which he was behind the scenes was turned on it's head when good friends Grandaddy booked the nascent Spree to support. With Tim forced to take to the stage for vocal duties, the idea became a reality and Tim became lead singer and front man. As more members joined and word spread the increasingly large ensemble played throughout Texas honing their skills and building in an increasing number of talented musicians. Aware that 23 people dressed in street clothes would be distracting to an audience, the idea of wearing identical white robes was floated by Tim and the final piece of the Polyphonic Spree jigsaw was put into place.

The real breakthrough came when the band played at this year's South By South West music conference in Austin, Texas. Returning delegates to the UK named the band as the most exciting of the week and a show (the band's first outside Texas) was booked as part of David Bowie's Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall.

The debut single, “Soldier Girl” was made NME Single of the Week and championed by Jo Whiley (a single of the week), Steve Lamacq (a session followed soon after) and Mark and Lard. Whiley even went so far as to do her show in one of the band's now well documented white robes.