From Southend-On-Sea comes Carousel, an Indie-Americana band whose self-titled EP is set for release September 22.
Carousel is Thomas Eatherton, Chris Hobart, Sarah Holburn, Toby Shaer, whose unique sound blends Americana, Country, Folk, Blues, Roots, and Rock’n’Roll. All members share vocals and are talented musicians, with Thomas playing electric guitar, Chris on acoustic guitar and bass, Sarah on mandolin and harmonium, and Toby on fiddle and cittern.
The band, founded in the summer of 2015, have the aim to breathe new life into music venues and street performances across the UK. The quartet share a passion and musical vision based on friendship and honesty, and came together as friends and solo musicians, feeling they were better together than apart.
The five track EP took two years to make, and consists of heartfelt and moving lyrics, which are at the same time both uplifting, and sombre: wistful, yet looking to the future.
Lead track, ‘Show’ is classic Americana with gorgeous harmonies, while ‘Dead Horse’ brings out some of the band’s blues influences.
‘Porcelain’, the third track on the EP, is very moving and mellow, with Sarah Holburn’s lead vocals set off perfectly by the male backing vocals. A country style track, the fiddle comes to the fore about 3/4 of the way through the track, which is very pleasing.
‘Throw Me To The Wolves’ is a a faster paced track and in strong contrast to ‘Porcelain’. It’s a foot-tapper and clearly one which is popular as a live track.
The EP is rounded up by ‘Comfortable Skin’, which returns to the slower pace of ‘Porcelain’, and reminds us of another song (possibly by Ed Sheeran?) but we can’t put our finger on it; it’s another gorgeous track with simply beautiful harmonies which show the close relationship of the singers.
Carousel, who list among their influences the likes of Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash, as well as modern day Americana acts such as Brandi Carlile, and The Lone Bellow, have featured at a number of festivals this summer, including Leigh Folk Festival, Live Expressions Festival, and the Daxtonbury Festival.
The band will launch their self-titled EP at The Dickens Lounge, Southend, Essex, on Thursday 21 September. Tickets are available from their official website.
You can also find Carousel online on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
