SALAKO is a three-piece (Luke Barwell, James Waudby and Tom Spencer) from an English smalltown called Hull, which can sound familiar to pop fans as it was also the home of the sadly departed HOUSEMARTINS. They record in Jeepster, the label of BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, LOOPER and GENTLE WAVES, and theyve released two albums so far: "Re-inventing punctuation" and "Musicality".
SALAKO is a very special band: part of the recording contract requires their label must "release an otter into the wild when each album is released"; on the other hand, their live rider features requirements like "gold coins carefully hidden all around the venue" . They always do the recordings at Lukes bedroom, as they feel pretty uncomfortable in professional studios. Though they occasionally do sessions in the beach, or in the local newsagents James used to work at.
But what makes them really special is their songs: to compare them to any other band would be an offence to the genuine inventive and sheer personality of SALAKO. They excel at writing very well-constructed songs in which the slightest detail is carefully planned, and very catchy at the same time. To make things even better, SALAKO is an incredibly prolific act. In fact, Jeepster signed them after receiving two new songs from the band every week; and their two albums are literally full of perfect songs.
This single is opened by "Look right", one of the best tracks in their second album "Musicality": its guitar hook and horn arrangement are simply perfect. Its accompanied by three new songs, as brilliant and inspired as any track from the albums. They contain acoustic guitars, unexpected arrangements, old synthesizers and delicate, spiritual vocals. Welcome to the hiper-personal, eccentric and definitely original sound world of SALAKO.