Draw Me Stories

Draw Me Stories

Draw Me Stories are a Cardiff-based band formed in 2008. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Carl Hodgetts, drummer Samuel Souter and Mathieu Albasser, who plays bass and keyboards. Their sound is described as sitting between art rock, folk and dance, and it also draws comparisons with indie rock, progressive rock and experimental styles.

Early releases and development

The band first releases a self-issued acoustic album in 2008, followed by the 2009 EP The Sky and the Mirror, which combines traditional folk influences with progressive rock. In 2010 they issue the double A-side Oars/Becomes the Hunted, a release that mixes dubstep, folk and jazz and shows the band’s willingness to work across different genres.

Debut album and label

After these releases, Draw Me Stories sign to Glasstone Records, the electro-indie label also associated with You Love Her Cos She’s Dead. They plan their debut album Cocoon Machina for release on the label in autumn 2012. The album is their first collaboration with producer and engineer Charlie Francis, who also becomes a musical ally. Rather than revisiting earlier material for the record, the band writes the album from scratch in 2011, treating it as a kind of reinvention and a second album in spirit.

Musical character

Draw Me Stories are noted for a sound that is difficult to place neatly in one genre. Commentary around the band points to a wide range of reference points, from The Decemberists, Björk and Talking Heads to The Mars Volta, reflecting the band’s mixture of folk, art-rock and dance elements.