THE SEA SHALL NOT HAVE THEM (TSSNHT) made its live debut in May 2006 as a one man instrumental act (Curt Emerton – guitars / bass / noises / samples), swiftly drawing comparisons to the soundscapes of early Cure, Pink Floyd and Mogwai, as well as influential 90’s bands Failure & Swervedriver.
The band made its live debut as a 2 piece in early 2007, with the welcome addition of Mat Wilton on drums. Mat’s percussive firepower transformed the early versions of Curt’s songs into something else entirely, adding a more organic “live” feel to the sound.
THE SEA SHALL NOT HAVE THEM recorded their debut 6 track e.p. in November 2007, locking themselves away at Airlock Studios Brisbane with engineer Emerson Bavinton. Incredibly, the recording was finished in just four days, an astonishing feat for the two piece, given the multi layered sounds of the material.
“TRACES” was independently released by the band in February 2008. The release has garnered favourable reviews in the Queensland based street press.
Tsunami Magazine’s Jake 3 described the band as “a breath of fresh air for Queensland's post-rock scene… their instrumental soundscapes benefit from contrasting gentle-moving melodies with huge riffs that scream out with urgency…” giving “TRACES” 8 out of 10.
Time Off’s Luke Hudson said “Instrumental rock outfit The Sea Shall Not Have Them create the kind of pretty, ambient sounds showcased in new ep “TRACES”, which sees them tagged as one of Brisbane’s (sic) must-watch outfits this year…”
The band promoted the release of “TRACES” in May/June 2008 with good friends and Brisbane acts THE GONZO SHOW and AHEADPHONEHOME on the “BABY TRACES STATIC” tour.
In reviewing the show at The Zoo Brisbane on May 15, Time Off’s Matt O’Neill described TSSNHT as “a beautifully captivating mélange of post-rock, electronic flourishes and angular riffs, as well as one of Brisbane’s (sic) most promising bands… Tracks like “Fluid” and “Theme From An Airless Room” shimmer with post-apocalyptic melody and wide-screen melancholia and the duo’s ability to govern such gigantic tracks in a live environment will always remain impressive…”
Gold Coast Music Industry Association’s Josie Cooper braved a chilly night in early June at Fisherman’s Wharf to review the official launch party of “TRACES” and was “blown away by the sound that comes from this duo and echoes out across the water. The word ‘big’ just doesn’t cut it… It’s the type of music that’s perfect to listen to with your eyes shut or in a dark room while imagining victorious movie scenes being played out in your head… It has urgency that captures your attention and absorbs you in the sound of the moment as it has done this evening. You could almost lose track of time…”
TSSNHT were recently handpicked by the highly regarded MAGIC DIRT to open their Coolangatta Hotel show on Friday 22 August.
The band is continuing to demo new songs, and are planning 2 new releases for 2009. The first release will be a split e.p. titled “The Sea Was Our Home” with highly regarded Brisbane solo electronic artist AHEADPHONEHOME. TSSNHT will also start recording their debut album in early 2009.
Online music distributor Musicadium made the band a Feature Artist, saying TSSNHT are “turning heads and swaying opinions with their lush, cinematic and yet at times totally rock-n-roll soundscapes… we are highly impressed with this journey into their beautiful, sound-driven world…”
THE SEA SHALL NOT HAVE THEM
are Curt Emerton (guitars / bass / noises) & Mat Wilton (drums / percussion)
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Yeah well i am a big fan of the sea shall not have them.
You would go down very well hear indeed.