“Hugely talented.” – GOD IS IN THE TV ZINE

“Radiohead on speed” – 8/10 SOUNDSCAPE MAGAZINE

“What we used to call originality” – CHARLES FRANCIS

‘Cocoon Machina’, the debut album by DRAW ME STORIES, is expansive, intensely rhythmic & refreshingly eccentric (achieving radio play on XFM, BBC Introducing & Amazing Radio). It was the first time working with producer Charlie Francis (REM, TURIN BRAKES, FUTURE OF THE LEFT) who was drawn to the band’s unique sound.

Formed in 2008, DRAW ME STORIES consist of Carl Hodgetts (vocals & guitar), Samuel Souter (drums & samples), Mathieu Albasser (bass & synth) and more recently, Joanne Blake (percussion & synth). After self-releasing an acoustic LP and ‘The Sky’ and the ‘Mirror’ EP (2009), it was their experimental double A-side, ‘Oars & Becomes The Hunted’ (2010) that attracted the interest of Glasstone Records. During these two years, they toured the UK & EU (playing alongside BORN RUFFIANS, ALESSI’s ARK, ERIC CHENAUX) attracting international radio play (BBC Radio One, BBC Radio 6, WOXY, XFM, La Grosse Radio) and also received many enthusiastic reviews (The 405, Altsounds, GIITTV, For Folk’s Sake). Immediately after signing, the double A-side was re-released including a remix by YOU LOVE HER COZ SHE’S DEAD (Kitsuné/Glasstone).

Since these earlier folk-tinged releases, ‘Cocoon Machina’ is an adventurous leap forward with infectious tribal rhythms, abstract lyricism, vivacious guitar arpeggios and pulsating bass sections, and for the first time using synthesisers, percussion and samples overlaid sparingly to provide a sense of space in what is a largely minimalist record; most realised on epic songs, ‘Birdsong’ and ‘Blood Follows Grain’ & ‘Grain Follows Blood’. At times, the album hints at gothic pop, where ominous synth lines, sweeping arpeggios and distorted vocals crawl over intelligent drum and bass inter- action.

DRAW ME STORIES have created something that is coherently their own.