Guillemots

Guillemots are an alternative rock and art-pop band from Birmingham, England, active since 2004. The group is led by Fyfe Dangerfield, who was born in Birmingham and also records under the name Fyfe Hutchins; he previously belongs to Senseless Prayer and performs vocals, keyboards and guitar. The line-up also includes Brazilian guitarist MC Magrão, Canadian musician Aristazabal Hawkes and Scottish percussionist Greig Stewart. Magrão also plays bass guitar, accordion, mandolin, theremin and, occasionally, keyboards; Hawkes plays double bass, electric bass, keyboards and occasional tambourine; Stewart briefly uses the name Rican Caol.

Early releases and recognition

The band forms in November 2004 and releases its debut EP, I Saw Such Things in my Sleep, in September 2005. All 1,000 copies sell out on the day of release. In January 2006, Guillemots place fifth in the BBC’s Sound of 2006 list of favourite up-and-coming acts.

Debut album and related releases

Their first full-length album, Through The Windowpane, appears in July 2006. It includes Made-up Lovesong #43 from the earlier EP, along with previous singles Trains To Brazil and We’re Here. The album is timed for Mercury Music Prize eligibility and is shortlisted for the 2006 award.

During the album sessions, the group records the EP Of The Night, with one song written by each member. It first appears online on Valentine’s Day 2006, is later performed in full at the BBC Electric Proms 2006 with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and is eventually issued on CD and LP in November through independent music shops only. Their performance of Bad Boyfriend at that event is notable for the use of animal masks and Dangerfield’s spoken introduction before the orchestral ending.

Guillemots support Scissor Sisters on their stadium tour in late 2006 and release a reworked version of Annie, Let’s Not Wait in January 2007. Their album Red follows in 2008. After a break, during which Dangerfield releases his solo album Fly Yellow Moon in 2010, the band returns with Walk The River in 2011. In 2012, they announce plans to write and record four seasonally themed albums, beginning with Hello Land!

Style and line-up

The group’s sound is associated with alternative rock, indie rock, chamber pop, dream pop, avant-pop and indie pop. Over time, their work draws on a wide range of instruments and arrangements, including orchestral performance and multiple multi-instrumental roles within the band.