Jonquil are Hugo Manuel, Sam Hudson Scott and Robin McDiarmid, three men in their early twenties living in Oxford, England. The band rehearse and record at home in their new east Oxford studio, having recently relocated from the House of Supreme Mathematics that they shared with Foals during the writing of Total Life Forever and Jonquil’s own One Hundred Suns. All tracks continue to be produced by Manuel who also records solo under the name Chad Valley. Part of Oxford’s Blessing Force collective, Jonquil, alongside Pet Moon, Trophy Wife, Fixers, Rhosyn and Chad Valley, represent a groundswell of new creative output from the city that promises much over the coming years. From their bedroom beginnings (early release Sunny Casinos being tagged a late night listening album of creeped-out dusty attic music) via their folk-pop adolescence (second album Lions seeing out the drones and seeing in the songs) the band now emerge as a fully realized proposition, their live show honed from heavy European touring. November sees Jonquil’s first stateside release, with the One Hundred Suns EP coming out on New York’s Dovecote label (home to The Futureheads and Hooray For Earth). "Jonquil's self-proclaimed "Paul Simon's take on The Smiths" tag nails them well, however the six-piece also encompasses a level of intricacy not unlike a more subtle Dirty Projectors without the R'n'B. There's also an inclusion of a majestic summer flourish of romantic indie-pop very much in the modern tradition - similar to Beach House, Vampire Weekend or Wolf Parade. Emerging initially as the more folky end of Oxford's burgeoning math rock scene that brought us (close friends of Jonquil and recent touring partners) Foals and Youthmovies, Jonquil have constantly evolved and morphed into a very accomplished and mature band with a now newly focused, fresh output of work.” Dan Monsell // Rockfeedback // 2010
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