“enchanting lyrics”-Karmadownload

                   “shades of san Francisco in the late 60’s”-music-news.com

Taking London like a bull by the horns, Semaphore are fast building a reputation for their explosive live sets, painting their epic soundscapes across the capital’s stages. Initially formed in a late night drinking den in Rome, Italy, songwriters Johnny Butler and Louis Brennan and drummer extraordinaire Marco Ryan-Testa had no idea what to expect when they decided to jam some self-penned material in a damp side-street basement. Later, forced out of their underground lair by circumstances which can now only be considered fate, they were joined by bassist Loris Barbisan and the irrepressible guitarist/technical wizard Alexira to create a five-strong wailing wall of sound. A handful of rehearsals later the newly baptised Semaphore packed their bags and said goodbye to the eternal city leaving behind a legacy of myths in the aforementioned watering hole. Arriving in London with an arsenal of future anthems, their paeans to lost love and lucid dawns, Semaphore took the first tentative steps towards world domination at Holloway Road institution Nambucca in February 2005. Their spellbinding live performances have seen them described as “a must see live” by Karmadownload.com amongst numerous others. “They reach into your emotions and shake them around” says gigs-unlimited and the crowds at their gigs would undoubtedly_agree.

Semaphore have enjoyed heavy rotation on the Irish airwaves and are rapidly creating waves of interest in the UK. Their new EP, recorded in single takes over a two day period, captures the raw energy and seamless dynamic of Semaphore’s acclaimed live sets. It follows the success of their previous double A-side Tempest/Mercury described by Hot Press magazine’s Jackie Hayden as “a heavier and attractively unpolished version of the La’s with a world weariness about both songs that demands repeat listens”. Switching from up-tempo freak-outs to haunting, delicate ballads with ease, Semaphore are one act not to be missed in 2006.