Listen: The Lost Cavalry - "Fine Afternoon"

After exploring abandoned arctic observation stations, archaeological digs, and big top circuses, The Lost Cavalry's Mark West turns his feats of lyrical grandeur inward. "Fine Afternoon", the latest Lost Cavalry tune since their debut full length Three Cheers for the Undertaker was released back in 2013, forgoes the fantastical elements West is fond of for a bit of far more intimate place-setting. It's a break up song but one that's true to West's songwriting proclivities and is anything but expected.

"Fine Afternoon", with its delicate finger-picked guitar and swelling melodic flourishes, concerns itself with that rare instance where a breakup ends amicably on both sides. It's a slice of upbeat but not quite exuberant folk pop that proceeds at the pace of it's thematic rationalizations. Nothing is at all rushed and even when the rest of the band enter to join West in stirring harmony, there's a gentleness that keeps it from coming across as a overwhelming surge; a sweeping sense of happiness. "Fine Afternoon" doesn't paint with enough sadness to be full on bittersweet but it doesn't allow itself to ascend to stratospheric highs either. It's happiness is measured but still deeply felt.

Listen: The Lost Cavalry - "Telescope"

Considering "Stars Are Ripe" has technically been available for a month or so before releasing the stream, British chamber poppers The Lost Cavalry decided they owed us another single and I for one am not complaining. While I mentioned "Stars Are Ripe" is more of a continuation of the The Lost Cavalry we've come to know, "Telescope" isn't quite so familiar sounding. Sure, it features Mark West's sleepy vocals but other than that it doesn't feature The Lost Cavalry's infectious, moving folk pop sound.

That's not to say "Telescope" is stagnant but there's considerably a lot less going on it in than songs past. Where you could listen to any previous Lost Cavalry song and point out any of its multitude of members (there's six), "Telescope" sounds very much like ringleader Mark West could perform it solo. There's little ornamental flourishes but other than it's a rather straight forward, blossoming simple vocal showcasing folk tune.



The Lost Cavalry's debut full length Three Cheers for the Undertaker is out September 16th on Folkroom Records.

Listen: The Lost Cavalry - "Stars Are Ripe"

After quite a bit of time away presumably working on their upcoming debut album, London chamber pop sextet The Lost Cavalry are back with new single "Stars Are Ripe". Released originally as part of a limited edition split 7" with Keston Cobblers' Club, now us foreigners can get a taste without having to pay those shipping fees.

"Stars Are Ripe" continues where 2011's Snow City Radio EP seemed to leave off making use of similar rhythms and melodies. Where "Stars Are Ripe" really establishes itself occurs around the halfway point during a climactic swell that shifts from the calmly flowering folk The Lost Cavalry usually purvey into a bristling rock scorcher - it's short lived but it's enough to make you sit up and you pay attention. Other than that, "Stars Are Ripe" is your standard The Lost Cavalry track, not that there's anything wrong with that.

But "Stars Are Ripe" isn't just an example of The Lost Cavalry being one-trick ponies, there's all sorts of new tricks being subtly employed like the inclusion of female vocals for harmonies and the aforementioned rock moment. Even without these things, The Lost Cavalry are still capable of delivering a solid folk pop tune and it clearly shows.



The Lost Cavalry's debut album Three Cheers For The Undertaker is out September 16th on Folkroom Records.  

Watch: Knickers - "My Baby's Just A Baby (But I Love Him So)"

Considering I've been a fan of Mark West since his days in Fanfarlo, when he announced that in addition to his frontman position at the helm of The Lost Cavalry that he played organ in Knickers, well it was pretty much clear that I'd check them out. Add to the fact that the band seemed to have the most British of bandnames and I almost didn't care if they were good or not.

Thank goodness for me (and you) that they actually are. Knickers craft some retro-pop jams that are pretty much the cat's pajamas. They're the right level of old school without seeming all that reductive or been-there-done-that. And the band apparently has a sense of humor. Their video for "My Baby's Just A Baby (But I Love Him So)" features Knickers sole woman member Sarah Eisenfisz plays house with her bandmembers (though really just one of them, while the rest are banished to hang in her closet for later). All of whom appear to be very much dead. It's the most playfully fun handling of necrophilia that you're probably ever going to witness.

Watch Knickers' video for "My Baby's Just A Baby (But I Love Him So)":



Knickers debut My Baby's Just A Baby 7" EP is out May 21st on Elefant Records.

The Lost Cavalry - "The Tower" video

In celebration of their EP release and EP launch concert, London folk pop quintet The Lost Cavalry have been releasing a video a day featuring songs from their Snow City Radio EP. Today's happened to one they posted before that I somehow managed to miss, "The Tower". Despite Mark West's decidedly awesome ability to create music videos, "The Tower" actually uses footage from the short film Red & Cyan by Jon Cowen and Marcelo Munhoz that also happens to star none other than the band's own Mark West. It's action packed and awesome and kind of really make me want to check out that short film.

Check out "The Tower" video:


And remember, you can preview, buy, and/or order to the Snow City Radio EP at The Lost Cavalry's Bandcamp.

The Lost Cavalry - "Snow City Radio" video

With the release of their new EP about two weeks away, British chamber pop group The Lost Cavalry offered up a new video for title-track "Snow City Radio" earlier today and it's absolutely beautiful. Directed by jack-of-all-tradesman Mark West, the video is wonderfully minimalistic featuring Bryan O'Neil slowly thawing out in a arctic radio tower, only to be frozen again immediately following the energetic shout-chorus. It's simple but not lazy and really allows you to focus on the track which just happens to be great as well. Catch the video for "Snow City Radio":



Don't forgot you can listen to Snow City Radio EP here.

The Lost Cavalry - Snow City Radio EP (2011)

After months of anticipation-gathering updates and the release of two of the tracks, British quintet The Lost Cavalry are ready for their release of their brand new Snow City Radio EP. The four song follow up to last year's Waves Freeze to Rolling Hills EP takes the otherworldly tales and on-point song composition to a whole new level. Whereas Waves features yawny swells and a pervasive contemplative air, Snow City Radio adds some much beneficial variety. Sure, Mark West's talent for creating sprawling pieces of lyrical story-telling is still there but it's imbued with a brand new heretofore un-experienced energy that propels each song forward into the next culminating with the enrichingly collaborative "The Flood", slowly building into this cathartic moment of absolute release.

Snow City Radio proves that the brilliance of Waves Freeze to Rolling Hills wasn't just some marvelous fluke (not that anyone thought that) but just the warm up for Mark West's rather impressive set of songwriting chops.

The Lost Cavalry's Snow City Radio EP is out November 21st but you can preview all four songs on the Bandcamp:

The Lost Cavalry premiere new track off upcoming EP

Mere days after the official release of their "Desert Tracks" single, London chamber pop quintet The Lost Cavalry are the track of the day at Q Magazine web site. But it's not any of the songs you might've come to love, instead they're offering a peak into their new song "The Tower" off their upcoming new EP. The new track goes where few Lost Cavalry tracks has gone before; break-neck pacing. Normally West spins talented yarns at walking tempo but with this new track, that normality is challenged for the better. It's a delightful change up from their tried-and-true methods and the song definitely benefits.

And the song happens to be inspired the Empire State Building in Manhattan- my pseudo hometown. So that's always a plus. Is it just me or this even more of a reason to be excited for the new EP?

Hear the new track "The Tower" here.
The Tower by The Lost Cavalry

The Lost Cavalry release "Desert Tracks" single

After what seems like ages, The Lost Cavalry's new single "Desert Tracks" is officially out today. Besides being an awesome song about abandoned diamond mines in the deserts of Namibian. It also marks the first new release from The Lost Cavalry this year which means it's merely a matter of time before fans are able to get their hands on the EP promised earlier this year.

But that's not to diminish the quality of "Desert Tracks". The track is a folksy jaunt filled with swirling melodies with spirited storytelling that captivates from beginning to end.



Also check out the video for "Desert Tracks":

Mark West & Derek Yau - Booked Out Original Soundtrack (2011)

Somewhere between his work with his band The Lost Cavalry and the various other things he seems to be doing, Mark West had time to write and perform the soundtrack for an upcoming British indie comedy called Booked Out.

It's a bit weird to listen to a soundtrack by itself, since the listener doesn't really know how the tracks fit together within the context of the story and all of it's varying moments. It loses a little something when you don't have that magical connection between the scene/character/etc and the music accompanying all the action and yet I was anxious to hear the soundtrack as soon as possible (probably because I won't see the film unless I really make a point to - it's in the UK after all...)

In a lot of ways, the music for Booked Out is somewhat similar to West's work in The Lost Cavalry, if only for "Booked Out" sounding very reminiscent of "Oh, Sally" off the Waves Freeze to Rolling Hills EP. And in a way that's not too bad, aside from setting up West with a signature composition style it also means that the soundtrack contains the level of competent storytelling that I've come to equate with Mark West's songwriting. And yet, perhaps due to West's collaboration with Derek Yau or by his own choice, the majority of the songs , while not losing their capable storytelling, sound new and exclusive to this project. There's also a heavy emphasis on melody and rarely do the tracks appear to just function as mood-indicators/musical placeholders (the only exceptions are "I Know What You're Up To" and "I've Not Told This Story For A While).

I haven't seen Booked Out but if it's even half as good as the soundtrack that accompanies it, I'm definitely excited to see it. The tracks have a standalone quality that makes purchasing the soundtrack a no-brainer. Sure, there's the question of context and meaning but many of the tracks are so evocative and well-composed that it's practically a non-issue (at least for the moment).

Give the soundtrack a listen via The Lost Cavalry's Bandcamp:

The Lost Cavalry preview newest single "Desert Tracks"

Though British chamber pop group announced the release of their newest single "Desert Tracks" would happen in July (but I think has been pushed back to August 1st), this morning I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had posted the track to their Soundcloud. With "Desert Tracks", Mark West and his cohorts continue their fantastically yet oddly relevant folk tales this time about Namibian diamond mines. It's fun and frolicsome with hints of eerie and intrigue.

Enjoy "Desert Tracks":
Desert Tracks by The Lost Cavalry

The Lost Cavalry to release new EP and want YOUR help

It's been awhile since anyone's heard from British folk pop quintet The Lost Cavalry and that's not a bad thing. Bandleader Mark West was hard at work on a film score and the band has been recording it's brand new EP. The as-of-now-untitled EP will feature "Desert Tracks" and as well as a new song "The Flood" amongst others. The cool thing about "The Flood" however is that before the band put the finishing touches on it, they decided they wanted to make it a interactive experience. So, if you or anyone know you is interested in having your vocals featured on the Lost Cavalry's new EP, you can download a special backing track and instructions here. Just make sure you do so before May 31st as that's the deadline.

Until the EP's release sometime later this year, and the "Desert Tracks" single in July, you can catch this video of the band performing said track:

The Lost Cavalry - Waves Freeze to Rolling Hills EP

British five-piece The Lost Cavalry's 4 song EP Waves Freeze to Rolling Hills is folksy chamber pop done oh so right.

You'd think with so many instruments at their disposal that things would get a little hectic and every song would be packed with sound but the fellows of The Lost Cavalry know a thing or two about restraint. Their songs, even balladic "Secret Steps", are the very definition of reserved. Each instrument contributes solely to the overall mood of the track and works in complete balance with the other instruments. Even the backing vocals are used sparingly, surging up at just the right time to deliver heart-clenching punches. The EP is a pretty somber affair, the most upbeat track on it being "Oh Sally" where the band channels up a midnight mariachi band serenading a lovely lady underneath her balcony window. The serious nature of the songs belie the fact that the lyrics are about tightrope walkers, sailors lost at sea, and a buried elephant and that the band can infuse seriousness into such subjects, says a lot about the band's talents both in delivery and presentation.

Listen to The Lost Cavalry's debut EP at their bandcamp and if you like what you hear, you can either download their latest single "Elephant of Castlebar Hill" for free or buy the whole EP for cheap.

Pitstop: The Lost Cavalry

The Lost Cavalry is a British five-piece featuring Mark West, former guitarist for Fanfarlo. The Lost Cavalry have similar but not congruent assortment of instruments like glockenspiel, concertina, melodica, ukulele, in addition to the more standard guitar, bass, drums, and vocals but you can expect more than a mere replication of Fanfarlo's style. Instead the songs are brimming with emotion: introspective, reflective, stirring, and yet always triumphant in their own unique way. Though aptly literate, their songs are amazingly folksy and finely tuned adding instrumental ornamentation at just the right times.

The Lost Cavalry just released their debut EP Waves Freezes to Rolling Hills last month. Give The Lost Cavalry a listen with this acoustic recording of their song "Desert Tracks":