Electro ensemble Electric Penguins took a considerable time setting up on The Button Factory stage. And no wonder, considering the extent of their gadgetry. Finally fully ensconced behind an impressive array of keyboards and synthesisers, Mark Cummins and Paul Murphy led the audience through a delightful soundscape, lit up superbly by angelic vocals and magical lyrics. “Psychedelic” was the only word for it.
“As you may have guessed,” said a Penguin, “we’re not a rock band.” In fact they are a whole lot more than that! Splicing together bits of Kraftwerk, Sigur Ros, The Postal Service, Laurie Anderson, Pink Floyd, Alison Moyet and Brian Eno with old English folk ballads, the band weave a remarkably rich audio tapestry. Guitar, organ and piano keep this ethereal music connected to the ground, and give it a wonderful rootedness. A couple of the pieces played tonight appear on the Electric Penguins’ new record, The Julia Stephens EP, featuring beautiful artwork by graphic designer Steve Averill. We can’t wait for their next fully fledged long-player.