From a garage to Abbey Road – CRYSTAL CITIES release their debut album UNDER THE COLD LIGHT OF THE MOON
From a Sydney garage to Abbey Road Studios in London, Australian dream rock band, Crystal Cities, have come a long way in just over 2 years.
In March of 2017 Crystal Cities released their critically acclaimed Debut EP, Who’s Gonna Save Us Now, receiving widespread attention across the globe from tastemakers like Indie Obsessive, The Revue, and EarToTheGround Music. The title track and lead single, ‘Who’s Gonna Save Us Now’ received over 2200 plays on their Triple j Unearthed page and reached number 1 on the Unearthed Overall Charts within a few days of its release. The EP also made waves on US College radio; it was the 19th most added new release on the NACC Radio 200 Chart and received airplay on coveted radio station, KEXP. All this was achieved despite the EP being recorded in the modest environment of their mate’s garage in Sydney.
Fast forward 2 years and the band have completed their debut album, Under the Cold Light of the Moon, and inked a publishing deal with global sync and licensing agency Audio Network. Through this partnership they were allowed the opportunity to record at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios in London, capturing the sounds of a string orchestra made up of London’s finest musicians. The exquisite lushness of the orchestra can be heard on their record’s title track and lead single, ‘Under the Cold Light of the Moon’.
“The song ‘Under the Cold Light of the Moon’ was inspired by the plight of young North Korean girl Park Yeon-mi who escaped North Korea in search of freedom. After watching her speech I penned the lyrics, interpreting her story.”
– Geoff Rana (vocals / guitar)
The album required a deft hand to weave the tapestry of loud distorted guitars and rich textural strings. Knowing the difficult task ahead of them, the band recruited world-renowned LA-based engineer Paul Lani (David Bowie, Prince, Megadeath) to mix the record. Together they sculpted a captivating reverb-drenched yet hard-hitting debut record that is impactful from the very first listen.
“Our debut album, “Under the Cold Light of the Moon”, has been a process of defining our sound. We spent a lot of time in the studio for this record; exploring different sounds and tone colours before arriving on a consistent and identifiable sonic texture.
The journey of making this album spans the globe, from the initial tracking in Sydney, to recording strings at the legendary studio 2 at Abbey Road Studios in London, and then to Los Angeles to mix the album with legendary mix engineer Paul Lani.
I feel like Crystal Cities has found its home with this body of work. I can’t wait to complete the journey by finally having the songs out in the world and having people engage with them.”
– Geoff Rana (vocals / guitar)
With a new cinematic sound and grandiose aesthetic, the band are more equipped than ever to make their mark on the global music landscape.
Crystal Cities are:
Geoff Rana – Vocals / Guitar
Jared King – Bass / Backing vocals
Daniel Conte – Drums / Percussion
TRACKLISTING
1. If I Don’t Make the Morning
2. Under the Cold Light of the Moon
3. Could You Love Me Again
4. I Hear a Cold Wind Calling
5. Carve Our Names Into the Sun
6. Between You and Me
7. The Wolves They Will Come
8. You Were the Last to Know
TOUR DATES
Friday, May 31st – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, Newcastle
w/Camino Gold, and Ex-Cassette
http://www.lassogowriehotel.com.au/whats-on
Saturday, June 1st – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney * Album Launch
w/Lincoln MacKinnon & the Wrecking Train, The Francos, and Ex-Cassette
https://www.frankiespizzabytheslice.com/
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