| Band Description |
Irvine is a group of like-minded musicians who aim to put the heart and soul back into indie rock, by bringing back old fashioned sensibilities such as improvisation, dynamic contrast, and a healthy disdain for modern studio trickery.
Formed in 2006 by brothers Bob and Chris Thorpe, the band spent much of their time performing, writing and recording in London, England, before moving to Cape Town, South Africa, in 2009.
With songs that are as memorable as they are intricate, voiced through sincere, unassuming lyrics, Irvine has developed a sound that has fused the art of the classic big chorus rock anthem with the experimental low-fi production and subtle aural anarchy of the authentic indie tradition.
The band’s emphasis on strong melody is balanced by the progressive undertones in their arrangements, rhythms and chord structures, revealing influences ranging from contemporary artists such as Jimmy Eat World and Cold War Kids to greats like Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. The intensity and improvisational energy of Irvine's live performances is a testament to this careful balance, constantly swaying between the beautifully melodic and the chaotically abstract. In an industry obsessed with producing and selling little more than a fashionable image through disposable music, Irvine seeks to stand out as a band for those who truly love to listen.
RECENT NEWS:
2009 saw the band develop their line-up with Doug Gass and Danie Strijdom, as they spent much of the year recording their as yet unreleased full-length album. Irvine has received airplay on various student and community radio in South Africa, England, and The United States. Their infectious track, “The Illusion of Dreaming” was featured as a single on the 2009 international compilation “Riot on Sunset Vol.17”, released across America by Hollywood-based independent rock label 272 Records. The compilation, which features bands from all over The United States and Europe, was distributed to 25 radio stations across the US, and is available for purchase from Amazon.com and Hollywood’s largest music store, Amoeba Music.
Over the past year, Irvine secured headlining slots at premier live music venues in and around Cape Town and Stellenbosch, as well as the National Arts Festival. Most recently, the band has released their debut music video for their new single “The Chase”. The video has been favourably received by both fans and media, gaining over 700 YouTube views in its first week of release and airplay submission requests from two American online TV channels, including online TV giants America Free TV. Sticking to their independent-release strategies, the band have posted the track as a free download from their website - www.irvineband.com |