The 150 Friends Club – Giver of Life (2023)
From his early years to, well, an indeterminable time in the future, singer-songwriter David Goo embraces his passion for music. At age 8, he began playing the piano and by age 13 he had picked up the guitar, as well as writing songs. After relocating back to the UK from Israel, Goo spent years performing at every open mic night he could and even began bands here and there. Now, for over a decade, Goo weaves his musical talent with Mariya Brachkova (vocals), Charlie Coulson-Smith (bass) and Oliver Dacombe (drums) expressing his “somewhat more minor key fantasies” in sublime melodies. The latest addition to their discography is the EP Giver of Life.
Featured on television advertisements, the song for eBay’s 2021/2022 TV and radio campaign, and on various playlists, The 150 Friends Club are turning heads with their music. Following the eclectic single ‘Why I Don’t Look’, the lads and lady blast into 2023 with their four-track EP Giver of Life. Released through Karel Music, Giver Of Life is part one of their upcoming album Preach (set for release later this year).
Alright, so now you have those facts, what about the EP itself? David Goo explains that Giver of Life is a “domestic rock opera about the ups and downs of raising vampires (aka children) near the end of the world…” From the opening track ‘Sinner & Saint’, The 150 Friends Club set the scene with an eclectic melody underlying the obscure vocals from Goo and Brachkova. A strong leaning toward David Bowie exists in ‘Sinner & Saint’, particularly in the obscure vocals of Goo; however, despite the Bowie-ness, a warm, comforting melody belies the vocal execution as “Sinner & Saint’ finds the line between charming comfort and disconcerting strangeness.
Moving onto the single ‘Giver Of Life (An Ode To Mothers)’, the Bowie comparison is still strong. Powerful, bold and intense, the melody has a “military-esque” pounding to the arrangement interspersed by the delicate vocals of Brachkova and seemingly orchestral instrumentation. ‘Beautiful Child’ brings a folk slant to the experimental rock sound as we hear Goo ooze passionate adoration of this, well, beautiful child. The EP ends with the track ‘Lover Of Your Life’ where The 150 Friends Club, once again, take you on a sonic rollercoaster traversing genres with the melodic rise and fall.
Goo mentioned Giver of Life is a “domestic rock opera…” and it shows as the songs lead you through a journey of despair, love, frustration, joy and wonderment. Profound and diverse, The 150 Friends Club have produced something completely inimitable and unforgettable in this musical masterpiece.
For more from The 150 Friends Club, check out their Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
