Cult With No Name

Cult With No Name

Cult With No Name are an East London duo made up of Erik Stein and Jon Boux. They describe their music as “post-punk electronic ballads”, and their sound combines piano-led songwriting, electronic textures, distortion, choral arrangements and wide, cinematic soundscapes. They are associated with folk, piano and electronic music, and their work is often noted for its mood and lyrical wordplay.

Early releases and label history

The group becomes the first international signing to Los Angeles label Trakwerx in 2007. Their first two studio albums, Paper Wraps Rock and Careful What You Wish For, attract critical praise. Their early profile also receives support from UK music journalist Mick Mercer, who names them his discovery of 2007 and places both albums in his annual top ten lists.

Collaborations and media work

Cult With No Name work with a range of outside artists across their releases. Blaine L. Reininger of Tuxedomoon contributes to their second album, while later recordings involve Kelli Ali, Bruce Geduldig, Luc van Lieshout, John Ellis and Meg Maryatt. Kelli Ali co-writes “Shake Hands with the Devil” and appears extensively on Above as Below, and the band also co-write and perform on two songs from her solo album Band of Angels, including “Eternity”.

The group also provide music for two black comedies at the Edinburgh Festival, Moz and the Meal and Bored Stiff. They later release Lightwerx: The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari, a DVD centred on a soundtrack to cinema. Their recordings are played by Don Letts on BBC6, and Brett Anderson of Suede asks them to support him at the launch of his album Slow Attack.

Albums

The band’s fourth studio album, Adrenalin, appears in 2010 and includes songs such as “This time (or any other)”, “Make a list!” and “The All Dead Burlesque Show”. Their fifth album, Above as Below, is released in January 2012 and is the first to feature a broad set of guest contributors. It also has cover art and packaging designed by Jonathan Barnbrook and is manufactured using letterpress.

Their sixth album, Another Landing, is released in April 2014 on their own CWNN Music label. This record again features collaborations with members of Tuxedomoon, Kelli Ali, John Ellis and Japanese electronica artist Coppe'.

Recognition and comparison

The group are nominated for the UK Exposure Music Awards in 2011. Their music is compared with artists including Roxy Music, Tuxedomoon, the Pet Shop Boys, Colin Newman, The Nits, David Sylvian, early Elton John and Scott Walker.