The Diamond Family Archive are a British lo-fi psych-folk duo made up of Laurence Collyer and Peter Collis. Collyer handles vocals, guitar, pedals, organ, shruti box, cosmic harp, harmonica and cassette recorder, while Collis plays drums and percussion, effects, keyboards and melodeon.

Background

Collyer is born in Creekmoor, Dorset, and later lives with a new-age Christian community in New Zealand before settling on the south coast of England, via universities in Cornwall and France. He is the songwriter in Brighton-based band Chimp, and also works in a number of other musical projects.

Releases and labels

The duo release albums on Woodland Recordings, put out a release with Fence Records, and issue a split EP with The Great Park. Collyer also appears with The Great Park and Blanket, and is part of the Stolen Recordings roster, where he features on the label’s compilations. The Great Park is associated with Woodland Recordings, and Blanket with Try Harder Records.

Performances and reception

The Diamond Family Archive play shows in North America, Germany, England, Ireland and Scotland. They also support acts including The Radar Bros., Efterlang, Josh T. Pearson and Sparklehorse. Their two albums receive praise and airplay from John Peel, Steve Lamacq and Xfm.