Rumour Cubes

Rumour Cubes

Rumour Cubes are a UK instrumental group formed in 2009. Based in London, the six-piece build a sound around strings, electronics, layered guitars and a bass-led rhythm section, moving between melodic and abstract passages, heavier and more reflective sections, and moods that range from joyful to melancholy.

Albums and style

The band releases two albums: The Narrow State and Appearances of Collections. Both use a broad mix of instrumentation, influences and ideas, and both are marked by changes in pace, texture and form. Appearances of Collections is described as a wide-ranging instrumental work with a strong sense of movement and detail.

Live performance and technology

Rumour Cubes place a strong emphasis on technology in their live shows. They often use mi.mu gloves, which let the wearer shape sound through hand gestures, alongside joysticks, samplers, synthesisers and a large number of effects pedals, many of them custom-built. Adam Stark also writes custom software to sync video with the band’s performances, giving the group’s shows a multimedia character.

Collaborations and festival appearances

Since forming, the band work with poets, film-makers and a wide range of other musicians. Their collaborations with poet Steve Willey appear on the track “The Gove Curve” and on the 1871 / Letters To Palestine release. Appearances of Collections also includes contributions from 10 guest musicians.

In 2013, Rumour Cubes play Glastonbury, Village Green and Truck festivals alongside Sam Duckworth, known as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Their Glastonbury set is the Sunday headline slot on the Leftfield Stage and takes the form of a live mixtape featuring artists including Billy Bragg, Kate Nash, Sweet Billy Pilgrim, Jehst, Riz MC and Grace Petrie.

Line-up

The group consists of Joe Bartlett on bass, Jay Malhotra on guitar, Hannah Morgan on violin, Terry Murphy on viola, Omar Rahwangi on drums, and Adam Stark on guitar and electronics.