Hampdens, The www.thehampdens.com
“If Perth is the new Paris, the Hampdens are the new Air.” Cream Magazine
“This music sends tingles up your spine.” Kathy McCabe, Sunday Telegraph
“The Hampdens are a new Perth band who immediately demand your attention.” Brag
The Hampdens formed accidentally in early 2002 in a home studio in Carlton filled with Jay McInerney novels, Nick Drake and Neil Young records, and a DIY vocal booth made out of a cupboard. What began as a Kruder&Dorfmeister-influenced electronic project of lo-fi bedroom-cut-loops developed into lush sound scapes sometimes reminiscent of Air, Kings of Convenience, Sigur Ros and New Order under the guidance of Perth producer and close friend Dave Parkin at Blackbird Studios.
In August 2003 their debut EP Brightness Falls was released to critical acclaim and the run amazingly sold out in two weeks. The band toured on the back of the release to Sydney and then Melbourne where they played a month-long residency at the Duke of Windsor with Thirsty Merc before heading over to London, performing a series of showcase gigs at famous venues such as the Barfly and the Metro.
The band’s second EP Even World was released in May 2004 through Sony Music and the good reviews continue to pour in. The Hampdens followed up this release with another trip to Sydney and Melbourne in July and have since relocated to Melbourne where they plan to tour more extensively, work on a remix project, and complete demos for their anticipated debut album.
The Hampdens have played with the likes of George, Sarah Harmer, Hawksley Workmen, Little Birdy and Thirsty Merc to mention a few, and their ethereal performances continue to win over crowds and critics alike. Close your eyes and it will be an even, even world.
“Every now and then you’ve gotta put your name on the line, and right now I’m predicting big things for this ridiculously good-looking Australian act.” Forte Magazine.
“In the way pioneers like Moby have invented a sound emancipated from the shackles of the past to truly represent the sound of today, the Hampdens too are creating music that can only be described as now…” Xpress Magazine
“Music critics have praised their mature song writing and ethereal, sophisticated music…” The Australian
“The Hampdens have managed to combine the acoustic quirk of REM with the slowed-up soul of Morcheeba. Keep an eye on this band, they have the class to go far…” FHM
