Sound Of The Sirens
Album: It's Me I'm Here
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 5
Website: http://www.soundofthesirens.net

The thing I like about folk music, well actually a lot of music on what I've termed the acoustic spectrum is that if you've got the talent, there's always an opportunity to get yourself heard. The extensive network of clubs and festivals help give performers a chance to serve an apprenticeship, a chance to learn the skills, it's one of the reasons why I'm constantly amazed by the quality of albums and eps that drop into the office from young performers.

Some of those are raised in acoustic music, others of them come to it and some by stranger roots than others and it's in that category Sound Of The Sirens sit. A trio consisting of Abbe and Lisa, who met at school and Hannah who they met whilst doing bar work, they started off harmonising together on the way back from the pub and discovered their mutual love of music.

Instead of heading down the rapid roots to fame, the girls resolved to learn instruments and become a proper band. In three years they've been together, they've chalked up some 160 odd gigs, 20 festivals and support slots with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Billy Bragg and Chris Woods, none of which are names renown for offering support slots for a pretty face.

"It's Me I'm Here" was my first encounter with Sounds Of The Sirens and the overwhelming feeling was disappointment that I hadn't come across them before, bless mutual friends on the internet. The five track ep actually came out last year, but fear not there's rumours of a new release towards the end of this year and it would be fair to say my appetite has been whetted.

The five track ep, featuring two songs recorded studio live and three that were more conventionally assembled, highlight a band that have absorbed themselves into the world of contemporary folk rock, that, as you would imagine, is rich in tight harmonies. Released and produced by the band, this is an EP that shows a band that have got a genuinely distinctive sound, but still happy to show it's roots.

Devon and the South West would seem to have another band that's on the edge of reaching that wider audience. "It's Me I'm Here" is a great introduction to Sound Of The Sirens and hopefully it won't be long before we get to hear more.

Neil King