Hundreds reveal new single ‘Song for a Sailor’ & HMV Next Big Thing appearance

hundreds

 

German siblings Hundreds will release their second  single ‘Song for a Sailor’ on 6th February, closely followed by a live date for HMV’s Next Big Thing on February 9th.

Based in Hamburg, Hundreds are brother and sister Philipp and Eva Milner. Together they sculpt beautifully crafted melancholic electronic pop, at times fairytale like, and at times underpinned by a brooding sensibility evoking a darker romantic fantasy world.

Buzz around the band has been progressively growing from the blogs of their native Germany and initial critical acclaim; whilst their music led Martin Aston to suggest their “unrestrained elegance complemented with a subtle brooding menace will be the sound of 2012”.

The second single drawn from the album, Song for a Sailor is the summation of Hundreds’ pop sensibilities and songwriting prowess. Opening staccato chords hint at pianist Philipp’s classically trained background, whilst the introduction of electronically generated tight, punchy percussive claps and cymbal snaps veer toward the machinelike before being alleviated by singer Eva’s wistful vocals.

Already a live favourite, the song slowly builds with layer upon layer of impossibly catchy pop hooks, Eva’s lyrics further punctuated by choir-like backing flourishes to further make for addictive listening. The apparent innocence and playfulness of the song proves misleading however, when events soon take a darker twist, with the onset of a more brooding bass refrain and sonic effects accompanying a lyrical journey into a dark romantic fantasy of unrequited love. “I sit inside blue-green light under the heads of the flowers, I will not move, but the wind is bowing the field , and in the end, you came too late”

The band return to the UK to play HMV’s Next Big Thing on Thursday 9th February, following their début headline UK show at the Borderline last December. The live experience sees the band at the height of their form, with the relentless touring in support of the album resulting in more intricate and challenging variations of the songs therein.
The live show also reveals the rapport between brother and sister, with both at times seemingly operating in isolation, before reuniting to create a captivating, enthralling spectacle.
Ticket details
Thursday 9th February
Venue: The garage
Doors 7.30pmThe Bill includes Hundreds, Delihah and Paper Crows   

Tickets on sale already – price £10 (without booking fees)
Available at Garage box office (in person) , http://www.ents24.com/web/event/HMV-Next-Big-Thing-The-Garage-London-2736172.html and usual outlets.

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