Written by: Alex Green
(Photo by Paul Dillon)
In one of those rare musical occurrences–the debuts by The Smiths and Siouxsie and the Banshees both come to mind–The Beau Motives have arrived fully formed and ready to go.
From the moody shuffle of “Bring Us Down” to the seductive pull of “15 Days,” the Irish band’s first full-length long player Beneath This Sun is a riveting blast of post-punk swagger, sonorous new wave and lustrous indie rock, played with startling assurance.
Led by the unreasonably charismatic Shaz Condon, The Beau Motives bring to mind the soaring and textured wordplay of The Cocteau Twins, the catchy pop of Blondie and the heavenly harmonic heights of Scary Monsters-era Bowie. Born to front a band, Condon is alive with a sensuous energy that’s a perfect blend of dreamlike intensity and ethereal muscle. Infused with charisma and mystery, as a singer Condon is as enigmatic as she is accessible–her voice weaves through each of the Beneath This Sun’s compositions with sizzling authority and sheer musical grace. Drummer Jay Oglesby’s beats are athletic and charged, while guitarist Stuart Gray, who brings to mind everyone from Johnny Marr to John Squire, may very well be one of the most exciting finds of the year.
Condon sat down with Stereo Embers and filled out our Scouting Report questionnaire.
Who’s your favorite muppet? We asked.
“The green one,” she said…
FULL NAME: The Beau Motives
HOMETOWN:Dublin/Ireland
WEBSITE: www.soundcloud.com/thebeaumotivesmusic
RECORD LABEL: Jelaloustown records
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN ONE SENTENCE: We Love it.
PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Making music we like and enjoy, not following trends.
THE SONG YOU WISH YOU’D WRITTEN: “Stairway To Heaven”–Led Zeppelin
FIVE MUSICIANS YOU ADMIRE: Kate Bush, Imogen Heap, Debbie Harry, Dave Matthews, David Bowie
ALBUM YOU CAN’T STOP LISTENING TO: Editors–The Back Room
DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A KID: Shy, quiet, strange
THREE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT: Music, sex, alcohol… and stress
LAST BOOK YOU READ: Two pages of The Secret years ago.
FAVORITE MUPPET: The green one
CATS OR DOGS? Oh no…. sorry, both.
THINGS WE’D FIND IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR: Light bulb, jackets, lyrics, old cd’s.
HARDEST PART ABOUT YOUR JOB: Starting out.
FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET TO A NEW CITY: Eat.
WHAT WORD DO YOU OVERUSE IN CONVERSATION?: “Like”
WHAT WILL THE TITLE OF YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY BE?: Let It All Go
FAVORITE LATE NIGHT TV SHOW: “Breaking Bad”
DRINK OF CHOICE: Rum and coke.
BEST ALBUM TO PLAY AFTER A BREAK-UP AND YOU’RE HOLDING BOTTLE OF VODKA AND SOMETHING SHARP: Cigarette while playing Prodigy…
INDULGENCE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Writing
