Delphic

Drawing from the legacy of Factory Records, the acid house movement, and Manchester, England’s vibrant 1980s era, Delphic comprises guitarist Matt Cocksedge, multi-instrumentalist Richard Boardman, singer James Cook, and drummer Dan Therman, the last of whom performs live with the group. Cocksedge and Boardman had previously played together in the guitar-driven indie outfit Snowfight in the City Centre; once that project dissolved, the duo sought to create dance-oriented music instead. They linked up with Cook and, echoing New Order’s approach, blended dance beats and synths alongside live drums and guitars. Following an initial basement performance, the band staged illegal warehouse raves as an alternative to conventional club bookings. Management duties were entrusted to the same company that handled Bloc Party and the Streets. Dance producer Ewan Pearson collaborated with them on the April 2009 debut single “Counterpoint,” issued through the Belgian imprint R&S. That summer the quartet appeared at festivals such as T in the Park, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Creamfields, and Bestival. In August they released “This Momentary” via Kitsune; its accompanying video received nominations in three categories at the U.K. Music Video Awards—Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Telecine. Toward the end of 2009, Delphic was selected among fifteen acts for the BBC Sound of 2010 shortlist, ultimately finishing in third place. Their debut album, Acolyte, surfaced in early 2010 on the band’s own Chimeric label through Polydor and garnered widespread critical praise. The single “Doubt” followed shortly after Acolyte’s arrival.