Deadlight Dance, now Nick Fletcher and Tim Emery who are two fifths of the original Goth rockers band formed at St John’s in Marlborough back in 1989 have just released a debut single – “Missives from the Sisters” on Ray Records.
It’s the first single from their new album – “…Beyond Reverence” which will be released later in the year.
The re-emergence of Goths has hit the news recently. Guitarist Nick and bass player Tim started revisiting that genre over lockdown in 2020 with a view to starting something new, over three decades after the band originally formed.
The album has had a bit of ‘Mooncalf Magic’ sprinkled on it so it’s going to sound beautifully produced and engineered. Recorded at Nick Beere’s intimate but internationally recognised ‘Mooncalf’ studio in Chiseldon, it’s got a head start….
Deadlight Dance will be playing regularly around the area, and this week – Thursday (23 Feb) will be at The Crown in Aldbourne. Then Friday 03 March at The Barge in Honeystreet, then the following evening a double header, with Devizes at The Three Crowns (early – 6pm) followed by The Plough in Shalbourne at 8pm. And that’s just to start with.
What inspired the resurgence of Deadlight Dance? Tim explains: “The original plan was to get together to jam through some old covers by the bands we liked at school, such as The Cure and Sisters of Mercy. With everything going on globally, those gloomy songs just started to strike a chord again. We were going to get other musicians involved but a lot of the newer bands of this genre are using drum machines and synths. We quickly realised we could do it as a duo, just by pushing ourselves further musically.”
Guitarist Nick, who does the most of the lead vocals said: “With lockdown restrictions back in place, we started sharing musical ideas of our own across WhatsApp. When we got together, we quickly built up a large set of 80s alternative covers and gothic original material”
The band took to playing local open mic nights in and around Marlborough, often showing up with folk instruments to play 80s Goth. They’ve made over 20 local appearances since lockdown ended.
Tim told Marlborough.news: “When we started this, I just assumed everyone would hate us but we’ve been really well received. The scene is mostly thriving in the North of England and in Europe but it’s important for us to be recognised as a Wiltshire band as we are Wiltshire boys originally. We’ve included local landmarks in our videos such as Silbury Hill. It’s a beautiful area and we wanted to embrace it, rather than pretend we’re from elsewhere.”
Nick added: “We have had two of the original other three band members get up with us. Greg came over from Atlanta, GA to play in The Wellington in Marlborough with us and Mike is down in Southampton, and joined as in The Horseshoe in Mildenhall. The original singer was last believed to in Thailand so the chances of the five of us regrouping are slim. We’re very much focusing on the now and on the future”
Click the Deadlight Dance image to hear Missives From The Sisters and watch the video on YouTube….
The band are also featured on a 1hr special on Swindon 105.5FM on Tuesday 25 April.
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