SEPTEMBER: LAST SHOWS OF 2015. AND 2016.

How do!

2015 has been a productive year in more ways than one. As half the band prepare for life with the fruit of our loins in the coming months, we've decided to take a hiatus from playing live in 2016. But! We're squeezing in two final live shows in September before putting on our slippers and settling in to our armchairs - both with our good friends and all-round incredible live act Barringtone:

• Friday 4th September - The Maze, Nottingham w/ Barringtone, I AM LONO & Gurgles (https://www.facebook.com/events/462829637211152/)
• Saturday 5th September - The Windmill, Brixton w/ Barringtone & more TBC (https://www.facebook.com/events/1663468013885766/)

We can't wait to assuage your ears with our soundmilk one last time. Join us, why don't you?

"INDIGO" IS OUT NOW!

Here it is, the third & final digital single from the 'Zoetrope' LP on Hello Thor! Indigo features guest vocals from Tom A.D. and we've added sublime remixes by Moscow Youth Cult and CJ Mirra, as well as an old-school extended disco edit from our in-house mixing team:

NEW VIDEO: INDIGO

Hola!

God Is In The TV  have premiered the video to our next single "Indigo" featuring vocals by Tom A. D., which was put together and directed by the extremely talented and extremely lovely Mr David Lilley of Loonatik and Drinks.  You can check out the article here, or watch the thing yourself below:

"Indigo" will be digitally released by Hello Thor on Monday 29th June as a radio edit, backed by remixes by Moscow Youth Cult and, er, us. More details soon!

JUNE SHENANIGANS

Aye up,

We had an unbelievable time in Cambridge, London and Oxford in late May. So much so that we're planning on repeating the formula with 3 gigs back-to-back later this month, this time heading northwards:

THURSDAY:
25.06.15 | The Lofthouse, Nottingham | w/ Elk & The Skipping Forecast
https://www.facebook.com/events/1560387680891845/

FRIDAY:
26.06.15 | The Audacious Art Experiment, Sheffield | w/ Sauna Youth, Elk & The Skipping Forecast
https://www.facebook.com/events/758038654303295/

SATURDAY:
27.05.15 | The Matrix, Grimsby | w/ Elk, Sauna Youth, Bonetti, The Skipping Forecast, East On Main & See You In Tijuana
https://www.facebook.com/events/1521733741422263/

MAY BANK HOLiDAY GIGS

This time next week we'll be knee-deep in the first of three sensuous nights with our comrades model village & Alnegator, spread languorously over the impending bank holiday. We'll be making our debut performances in both Cambridge and Oxford, split by a first gig in London for almost 2 years, all courtesy of Crushing Death & Grief & Burn the Jukebox. BRING IT.

Fri 22nd May - The Corner House, Cambridge:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1611722019040792/

Sat 23rd May - The Star of Kings, London:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1632309940326096/
(with added Witching Waves)

Sun 24th May - The Wheatsheaf, Oxford:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1056488611033438/

MAY GIG MADNESS

In a week's time, we'll be setting up for the first of two weekenders this month, encompassing Derby, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, London and Oxford. We're also very happy to be playing with some old friends at each gig. Exciting timez!

08.05.15 | The Hairy Dog, Derby | w/ Cheap Jazz​ & blunt mountains​
https://www.facebook.com/events/408801095945954/

09.05.15 | MK Gallery, Milton Keynes | w/ John Doran/Arabrot, Chrononautz​ & Klaar
https://www.facebook.com/events/450638791751942/

22.05.15 | The Corner House, Cambridge | w/ model village​ & Alnegator​
https://www.facebook.com/events/1611722019040792/

23.05.15 | The Star of Kings, London | w/ Witching Waves​, model village​ & Alnegator​
https://www.facebook.com/events/1632309940326096/

24.05.15 | The Wheatsheaf, Oxford | w/ model village​ & Alnegator​
https://www.facebook.com/events/1056488611033438/

WE MADE A MIXTAPE (2015 edition)

The good folk at Gold Flake Paint recently invited us to put together a mix of tracks that influenced the creation of "Zoetrope". We were more than happy to oblige with this, a 13-track, hour-long sweep of stuff that inspired and delighted us during the late months of 2013 and first half of 2014. All 4 members weighed in with different choices and we tried valiantly to crush them all together in a semi-coherent mix. 

Dig in and enjoy at your leisure below, or read more about it all here:
http://www.goldflakepaint.co.uk/guest-playlist-cantaloupe/

Cantamix - Zoetrope mixtape by Cantaloupe by Hellothor on Mixcloud

“0891 50 50 50″ IS OUT NOW!

Hola! We spent last week on a cracking tour of the North of England, rounded off by an incredibly sold out and raucous "Zoetrope" LP launch party at the Chameleon Arts Cafe in Nottingham. Huge thanks to everyone involved in putting us on, playing with us, putting us up and to everyone who came and saw us. We had a brilliant time and are already looking forward to our gigs in May and June.

HOWEVER. Before then, we have released a new digital single from the album, in the form of our set-closing banger "0891 50 50 50", backed by a fantastic Larry Crywater remix and a special radio edit for DJing types. You can stream and download it from the usual outlets, or buy it directly from Hello Thor for cheaper using this link: https://hellothor.bandcamp.com/album/0891-50-50-50

Our good friends and launch party supports Blunt Mountains have also put together a crisp-threatening video for us. Check it here: 

 “Live favourite 0891 50 50 50 is riddled with wave upon wave of blinking samples, intricate synth lines and a happy hard-core beat. It is the sound of mid period New Order downing a strawberry milkshake on a very hot day. It’s bloody fantastic." - God Is In The TV

“...(a masterclass) in how to take recognisable sexy-synth-pop tropes, mix them with a twisty/turny, left field sense of adventurism and create something that is splendidly unique.” - Louder Than War

"0891 50 50 50 offers a thrilling excursion into early eighties hi-NRG and electro-funk, slapping a Bobby Orlando donk under Patrick Cowley synths..." - LeftLion

VIDEO: LIVE AT TRAVELLING MAN

Woah! Check us out. Here are 4 tracks from our last-ever set as a power trio, filmed and recorded by the smashing guys behind Super Smash Hit Records in Travelling Man Comics Shop, Manchester last November. We also wrote some verbiage about influences, inspirations and practicalities of playing electronic music live to go along with the videos for Glasswerk here: http://glasswerk.co.uk/magazine/article/21345/Cantaloupe:+Behind+The+Live+Show/

The gig itself was another cracker courtesy of the peerless Bad Uncle, and also featured our fine friends Cowtown ripping up everything in sight. Check it:

 

Is this a good time to remind you that we've got a short tour coming up next week? Because it feels like a good time to remind you that we've got a short tour coming up next week. Details:

14.04.15 | The Head of Steam, Newcastle | w/ Monster Killed By Laser & Sun Dance
https://www.facebook.com/events/881447541919670/

15.04.15 | Kazimier Gardens, Liverpool | w/ Monster Killed By Laser & Gurgles
https://www.facebook.com/events/761463187279312/

16.04.15 | Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire | w/ Monster Killed By Laser & Gurgles
https://www.facebook.com/events/394434654066225/

17.04.15 | The Eagle Inn, Salford | w/ Monster Killed By Laser, Barringtone & Hot Shorts
https://www.facebook.com/events/1587975394770419/

18.04.15 | "ZOETROPE" launch show @ Chameleon, Nottingham | w/ Galaxians & blunt mountains
https://www.facebook.com/events/839512226105146/

LEFT LION INTERVIEW

In a spot of inspired Hello Thor-centric activity, the good people at LeftLion persuaded our good friend James Finlay of the mighty Fists and Grey Hairs to interview our synthmaster-in-chief (and misspell his surname in the byline) t'other day.

If you're a Nottingham local, you can pick up a copy from any number of quality stockists and enjoy the full sensory experience of physical paper and marvelling at the ingenious recycling of fourbeatwalk's beautiful design work from the poster advertising our 'Splish' 12" launch gig in 2013:

Otherwise, you can just read the words on a webpage. Check out Simmo's thoughts on getting old and playing pop music here alongside a 100% true story about the worst gig we've ever played here:

http://www.leftlion.co.uk/articles.cfm/title/cantaloupe/id/7360

LABOUR & LOVE VIDEO

Hot off the press, enjoy this beautiful video for 'Labour & Love' by luma.launisch. Huge thanks to Astrid for this!

"ZOETROPE": AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD RECORD SHOPS

Wahey! It's album release time!

You can now buy our debut album "Zoetrope" from all good record shops in the UK. Or you can get it direct from Hello Thor Records here: http://hellothor.limitedrun.com/products/540489-cantaloupe-zoetrope-lp-download 

We've already had some early and very kind reviews:

Louder Than War - "Even in quarter one of 2015, it’s clear that Zoetrope is going to be one of the albums of the year, so If you want some life-affirming, full throttle throbbing synth madness in your life too, you need to get on the Cantaloupe bus ASAP. Trust me, you’d be mad not to."

Colourhorizon - "...an album that is resolutely life affirming. Zoetrope could well be the party album of 2015."

Monolith Cocktail - "A most enjoyable pop-lit excursion through the kosmiche, taking in the industrial North’s steely resonation from the electric 80s, whilst popping off to take-in the post-rock locations that spawned such interesting, off-kilter explorers as Tortoise, Holy Fuck and Battles, and flirting with Afrobeat vibes."

SENSUAL TIMEZ!

"ZOETROPE": NOW STREAMING FOR YOUR PLEASURE

Aye up,

If you weren't excited enough by next week's release of our debut album "Zoetrope", you can now stream it exclusively and in full courtesy of the good folk at Gigwise. Just follow this link:
http://www.gigwise.com/features/98833/cantaloupe-zoetrope---hear-their-debut-album-exclusively-in-full

In preparation for this, we've been getting our hair done and generally photographed mucking around in our favourite Sherwood-based grocery, the Thompson Brothers Greengrocers. These shots were taken by the extremely polite and talented Leigh Beard and are copyright him, so please ensure that he's credited if you intend to reproduce them elsewhere.

Finally, you may have noticed that we have a FEAST OF GIGS planned for April, May and June. We're really looking forward to stretching our legs in our new incarnation as a quartet

14.04.15 | The Head Of Steam, Newcastle Upon Tyne w/ Monster Killed By Laser
15.04.15 | Kazimier Garden, Liverpool w/ Gurgles & Monster Killed By Laser
16.04.15 | Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire w/ Gurgles & Monster Killed By Laser
17.04.15 | The Eagle Inn, Salford w/ Monster Killed By Laser, Barringtone & Hot Shorts
18.04.15 | Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham w/ Galaxians & blunt mountains

08.05.15 | The Hairy Dog, Derby w/ Cheap Jazz & more TBC
09.05.15 | MK Gallery, Milton Keynes w/ Arabrot/John Doran, Chrononautz & Klaar

22.05.15 | Corner House, Cambridge w/ model village & Alnegator
23.05.15 | Star of Kings, London w/ model village & Alnegator
24.05.15 | The Wheatsheaf, Oxford w/ model village & Alnegator


25.06.15 | Unknown venue, Nottingham w/ Elk & The Skipping Forecast
26.06.15 | The Audacious Art Experiment, Sheffield w/ Elk & The Skipping Forecast
27.06.15 | The Matrix Club, Grimsby w/ Elk, The Skipping Forecast & East On Main

ZOETROPE: NOW AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER

THIS IS THE NEWS: Our debut full-length album "Zoetrope" will be released by Hello Thor on vinyl and digital download on Monday 16th March. You can pre-order it NOW and get it before it hits shops, as well as an immediate download of Steve Lamacq-approved album opener "Big Kiss", here: http://www.hellothor.limitedrun.com

Here's the full press release:

Nottingham-based synth/guitar/drums quartet Cantaloupe release their debut 10 track album Zoetrope on limited edition 12” vinyl and digital download through Hello Thor Records on Monday 16 March 2015.

Hello Thor first fell in love with Cantaloupe and their electronic pop music when they played an exhilarating set for us in a shopping arcade, shut down after 12 minutes by an angry autograph seller. We took our relationship to the next level with the release of their debut single, the 4 track Teapot EP, in 2012, which was picked up by Gideon Coe (BBC 6 Music) and Huw Stephens (Radio 1).

In 2013, we got down on one knee and asked them to put out a 12” with us. Sure, the proposal might have come after a wine or two, but once we’d sobered up we realised we still meant it. Phew. The euphoric Krautrock boogie of Splish/Wet Dog did not disappoint, arriving complete with a shimmering remix by Wax Stag and again being trumpeted across the airwaves (“I love that record - it‘s just so happy and joyous” Huw Stephens).

Now, after a year of recording and playing live - including a well-loved set at Liverpool Psych Fest in 2014 – we couldn't be happier to announce the arrival of Zoetrope: a collection of 10 lush, effervescent, endlessly inventive and oddly reflective pop songs, including Cantaloupe’s first non-instrumental tracks (featuring the vocal talents of new band member Eleanor Lee and Tom A.D).

Zoetrope shows off Cantaloupe’s full gamut of swirling sound and emotion - from the groovy hedonism of opener Big Kiss to the swish synthpop of Indigo; from the unyielding hands-in-the-air hardcore of live favourite 0891 50 50 50 to the queasy, introspective, haunting melodicism of Labour and Love. We’re never entirely sure what exactly it is that Cantaloupe do, but we know it makes us feel a bit sexy, like punching the air and GLAD TO BE ALIVE.

For fans of: Stereolab, The Human League, Tortoise, Kraftwerk, Patrick Cowley, Harmonia, Holy Fuck, K. Frimpong, Daft Punk, Giorgio Moroder, S.E. Rogie, Battles, Quack Quack, Air, theme tunes to 70s cop shows, punching the air, chat-lines.

Zoetrope is produced by Peter Fletcher (Escapologists, Seachange, Kagoule, Kogumaza).

Cantaloupe is Aaron Doyle (drums), Eleanor Lee (synth/vocals), John Simson (synths) & David Stockwell (guitars).

1. Big Kiss
2. Ambition
3. Indigo
4. Zoetrope
5. Gustave
6. 0891 50 50 50
7. Clam City
8. Labour & Love
9. Holy Cow!
10. Ian Whitehead

The album comes with free download codes. Buy it here: http://www.hellothor.limitedrun.com

NEW SHOES. I MEAN SHOWS. NEW SHOWS!

Hey there,

We've been delighted by the reaction to 'Labour & Love' (as well as its lovely remixes) in the last week; thanks to everyone who has bought, downloaded and streamed it. We've also enjoyed a healthy amount of radio play with continued support from the BBC's Gideon Coe bolstered by plays from Steve Lamacq and Dean Jackson, as well as The Breakdown in Sheffield. Cheers!

Our minds are currently focussed on sorting out some UK shows in April, May and June to support the release of the album... which reminds me that I need to tell you 'Zoetrope' will be released on Hello Thor Records on 16th March! We have a veritable smorgasbord of gigs coming up and some empty slots to fill on Fridays and Saturdays between these too. Do get in touch if you fancy having us round:

14.04.15 | The Head of Steam, Newcastle
15.04.15 | Kazimier Gardens, Liverpool | w/ Monster Killed By Laser & Gurgles
16.04.15 | Caroline Social Club, Saltaire | w/ Monster Killed By Laser & Gurgles
17.04.15 | The Eagle Inn, Salford | w/ Monster Killed By Laser & Organ Freeman
18.04.15 | Chameleon, Nottingham | w/ Galaxians & Blunt Mountains

22.05.15 | The Corner House, Cambridge | w/ Model Village & Alnegator
23.05.15 | The Star of Kings, London | w/ Model Village & Alnegator
24.05.15 | Venue TBC, Oxford | w/ Model Village & Alnegator

25.06.15 | Venue TBC, Nottingham | w/ Elk & The Skipping Forecast 
26.06.15 | The Audacious Art Experiment, Sheffield | w/ Elk & The Skipping Forecast 
27.06.15 | The Matrix, Grimsby | w/ Elk, The Skipping Forecast & East On Main

LABOUR & LOVE IS HERE!

OUT TODAY! Here's our first digital single from forthcoming album 'Zoetrope' on Hello Thor, complete with fantastic remixes courtesy of good buddies and all-round good eggs, Chrononautz and Blunt Mountains. It's even got singing on it and everything, thanks to our newest member! Check it out:

HELLO 2015! NEW YEAR, NEW... er, EVERYTHING?

Aye up,

It's the beginning stages of 2015, which means that it's also the beginning stages of the launch of our debut LP. You know, the one we basically spent the entirety of 2014 working on? Well, it's called "Zoetrope" and will be out on Hello Thor in March! More details will be forthcoming in due course, but most will be on our Facebook page and Twitter feed; we're planning a total overhaul of the blog this year so will only be providing minimal updates. So go to those places instead.

A few tidbits to tide you over in the meantime...

Gideon Coe and Tom Ravenscroft have been playing a couple of tracks from the album on BBC Radio 6Music, which has been extremely pleasing. Amazing Radio, in particular the excellent Dani Charlton, have showcased the album and posted some songs that you can stream here: http://amazingradio.com/news-2/new-music-news-2/showcase-cantaloupe.

To coincide with the album's launch, we're currently in the process of planning a string of live dates from April onwards, starting with a short northern tour after Easter and then basically doing loads of weekenders whenever we can. More information on our Shows page. If you're interested in booking us to play, why not drop us a line?

Lastly, we're very pleased to make AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: as of 2015, we have expanded to a quartet. Our super-talented friend Eleanor Lee, who provides vocals on a couple of songs on the album, has joined us on a permanent basis on vocals/synth no. 3.