THE BRACKISH

Thrillingly unique instrumental post-punk psych band featuring alumni of The Liftmen, Zun Zun Egui, This Is The Kit and Phantom Limb.

“Psychedelic vanguards and misfit maestros of Bristol’s BLOOM music collective, THE BRACKISH are an audacious all-star assembly of guitarists Luke Cawthra (Phantom Limb – The Naim Label) and Neil Smith (This Is The Kit – Rough Trade), drummer Matt Jones (Zun Zun Egui – Bella Union) and Port Erin bassist, Jacob Tyghe. Their debut album, 2014’s Big Guys (Lava Thief), righteously filled a kaleidoscopic void in instrumental music and along with 2016’s follow up album, Liquid Of Choice (Bad Elephant Music), the band gained an infamous reputation for their awe-inspiring live shows across the European and UK art rock scene, including the La Ferme Électrique and ArcTanGent festivals. With a third album ‘Firm but Fair’ on Stolen Body Records and a fourth, ‘Atlas Day’ on Brighton’s HalfMeltedBrain records, THE BRACKISH are storming the stage again with a new brew of gracefully strange arrangements and improvised auditory theatre.” – Guitarist magazine review for ‘ Atlas Day ‘ album – 9 / 10

A musical hall of mirrors built with warped genius. Bristol-based four-piece The Brackish has become one of the must-see live acts of the area’s rich music scene. And much of the delirious grandeur of their performances comes across on ‘Atlas Day’, their fourth long- player. Guitarist Luke Cawthra, formerly of Phantom Limb, manages to bring a disquieting yet serene touch to his playing on tracks such as ‘Leftbank’, which sways between Chet Atkins- style melodicism and a kind of musical delireum. Rhythms and melodies morph and melt away, only to rise again in a new form. This kind of esoteric instrumental material could end up a pretentious mess in less skillful hands but the band is superb, their grip on the slippery dynamics is sure throughout and always musically aware. Together they have a unique style: wilfully enigmatic, with flashes of dark humour throughout. If prog had an older, weirder brother he would be called The Brackish. Recommended.

“The broad vocabulary of the music – psychedelic, metal, jazz, kraut – conjures echoes from Steve Reich to Sabbath, Can and Tortoise” – Louder Than War

MORON BUTLER

Making a big return to The Lighthouse stage, Inspired by a love or drone, post-punk and poetry.