Salon Kingsadore

Selected Reviews

From the New Zealand Herald
Here's an album for those in-between moods - when you just don't need to be sung or shouted at, and you're not feeling particularly groovy for whatever electro-wonder is already on repeat play at the local cafe.

This is the debut by the Auckland quintet which originally formed for film soundtrack work, then carried on to gigs, an EP and now this nine-track collection of ... well, in their words "wiggy psych wash, jazz, classic guitar pop, blues and salsa. No words needed."

Even without a mouth they're not shy of decent tunes - it might be instrumental but there's little post-rock austerity in this set. The tracks pivot neatly around the twin-guitar frontline of John Guy Howell and Gianmarco Liguori, one or both of which sound they are keen students of the Johnny Marr art of echo-heavy jangle.

It gets briefly loungey on the likes of Romances and briefly twangy on the likes of Esbtudiante De Amor, but mostly it's sprightly mid-tempo indie-rock of a vocal-free but jazzy imagination and deft lightness of touch. Quite Kingsadorable.
Russell Baillie - NZ Herald 17/04/04

From Metro...
Remember those groovy party bands in sixties movies, firing up mini- skirted ravers? Well, imagine if - following a budget blow-out - that wee garage band had to take over the compositional duties for the whole movie. Auckland five- piece Salon Kingsadore could be that band on this nine- track introduction. Like an imaginary instrumental surf group hired by David Lynch for some surreal homage to an endless wrap- up party, Salon Kingsadore might reference groups like Stereolab and even Tortoise, but they come out sounding just like themselves.
Gary Steel - Metro 25/04/04

Salon Kingsadore - Salon Kingsadore
*****
This is something different.
Salon Kingsadore are an Auckland-based instrumental quintet with a sound that clearly harks back to an earlier era but manages to be timeless. The working title could well be "nine modern interpretations of surf instrumentals by a bunch of brainy musos". Not afraid to twitch up the intensity and add some inventive melodic explorations, Salon Kingsadore have come up with a very appealing and arresting package that defies classification.
D.O.B - RipItUp April 2004

From New Zealand Musician
The self titled debut from this accomplished auckland quintet is an all instrumental affair. showcasing the band's stylish, free moving sound, Salon Kingsadore are out of step with other vocal free styles and outfits, and that is welcomed. somewhat difficult to categorise, SK sounds like the sixties meeting the new millennium in a latin influenced lounge bar. the patrons are sophisticated surfy shadows types partaking in cocktails and wine and cute little nibbles. ennio morricone is nodding away in a dark corner, perhaps playing a twangy guitar. it's an interesting world, and that is the one that Salon Kingsadore create on this smooth nine tracker. led by talkative guitars and a solid beat, it comes as no surprise to learn SK have worked on film soundtracks- they would be perfect for that. Recorded live to two inch tape and available through sarang bang records.
Shaun Chait

“I was knocked out by the inventiveness, maturity and musicianship in general… It was clear to me that this was one of 2004’s standout local releases and I inevitably featured it in my ‘best of the year’ programme just before Christmas.”
Nick Bollinger – National Radio

“Even without a mouth they're not shy of decent tunes - it might be instrumental but there's little post-rock austerity in this set… sprightly mid-tempo indie-rock of a vocal-free but jazzy imagination and deft lightness of touch. Quite Kingsadorable.”
Russell Baillie - NZ Herald

“Like an imaginary instrumental surf group hired by David Lynch for some surreal homage to an endless wrap- up party, Salon Kingsadore might reference groups like Stereolab and even Tortoise, but they come out sounding just like themselves.”
Gary Steel - Metro

“Timeless… inventive melodic explorations… defies classification.”
**** D.O.B – Rip It Up

“Touches of Latin beats, jazz groove and shimmering guitars… very filmic music – perfect for themes to any number of cool movies you could name.”
Baz Lawrence – Horsey Magazine

“One of the more interesting indie bands in New Zealand at the moment… SK refreshingly ventures into the largely untapped territory of utterly cinematic, instrumental soundscapes reminiscent of Ennio Morricone… a breath of fresh air.”
****Kiran Dass – Sunday Star Times

“Salon Kingsadore’s darkest moments can be utterly beautiful.”|
Adrian Osman – Real Groove

“A classic set of songs… engaging from beginning to end.”
JSA – Staple Magazine

“Out of step with other vocal free styles and outfits, and that is welcomed.”
Shaun Chait – New Zealand Musician

“Think pulsing Stereolab meeting twanging Shadows at the milk bar”
Dominic Blaazer – New Zealand Musician

“Strange NZ band that combines surf with new age, ambient and jazz. Really hard to file… but sounds really awesome. Strange, kinda romantic- very recommended to anybody who wants to hear something strange and cool.”
No Brains Zine – (The Netherlands)

Liner Notes

John Guy Howell: Guitars
Gianmarco Liguori: Guitars
Matt Sandford: Drums
Hayden Sinclair: Bass
Billy Squire: Fender Rhodes

Recorded live to 2 inch tape at Earwig Studios, Auckland.
Recorded by Darren McShane.

Songs mixed to 1/2 inch tape by John Guy Howell
except Baja '68, Romanced and Estudiante De Amor
mixed by John Guy Howell and Darren McShane.

Produced by John Guy Howell and Salon Kingsadore.

Analogue mastering by Darren Mcshane,
Art & Design by Greg Hodgson.

Management
Andrew Schmidt
andy.s@ihug.co.nz

Thanks to all who have supported Salon Kingsadore
you are appreciated.