aaamusic | On 11, Mar 2012

2012 sees Cave Painting preparing for the release of the first single from their debut album. ‘Gator’ is now available for free download, with a vinyl release scheduled for April 14th. On May 14th the band’s eagerly awaited debut album ‘Votive Life’ hits the streets.

Early last year, Cave Painting tiptoed into people’s ears with a giveaway of the track ‘Leaf’, and a much talked about debut gig at a tiny club in London. The ripple effect spread when they streamed a demo of ‘Midnight Love’, along with a stunning one-minute promo clip of the same name. Bloggers blogged, labels talked, and by the time Cave Painting played their second show at Proud Galleries they were signed to Mercury/Hideout Records on a major long-term deal.

The five piece band; Adam Kane (vocals), Sam Simon (keyboards/vocals), Jonathan McCawley (drums), Richard Snabel (bass/vocals) and Harry Smallwood (guitar) came together in Brighton where they all lived, despite not actually being from the City. In one of those fortunate moments of synchronicity, they were all looking for the same things in the same place at the same time.

Having signed their record deal, the band immediately went into the studio with respected producer Barny Barnicott (Artic Monkeys/Kasabian). The results are found on ‘You Be Running Soon’; a four track EP accompanied by a remarkable 10 minute long film called ‘Midnight Love’, which was conceived and directed by a young film-maker friend of the band’s Tom Sargeant. The dramatic self-titled lead track from the EP was debuted by Zane Lowe on his highly regarded Radio One show. A second song from the EP, ‘Rio’ is also now the subject of a stunningly original video (co-directed by Robin Antiga and Jimmy Ahlander).

Indeed, a quick glance at Cave Painting’s YouTube page illustrates clearly the band’s philosophy of attaching beautiful music to delightful imagery.

Sandwiched between the recording of this EP debut and its much-praised release, the guys played their first extended UK live tour. The tour, culminating in a fabulous show as special guests to Chapel Club in Cave Painting’s own Brighton backyard (Komedia) was a great success and plans are already in hand for extensive live work this year.