Biography
Often likened to Broadcast and Stereolab, the Nottingham four-piece known as the Soundcarriers weave an eerie atmosphere that draws from early-1970s German recordings, English folk traditions, library cues, Tropicalia, jazz, lounge textures, and the melodic wing of psychedelia. Beginning in the late 2000s they assembled a striking run of albums that peaked with the uncommon guitar-driven Entropicalia, issued in 2014 on the Ghost Box imprint. Following an extended pause they resurfaced with Wilds in 2022 and Through Other Reflections in 2024, both of which delivered a more robust reading of their drifting psychedelic style.
Comprising Adam Cann, Dorian Conway, Leonore Wheatley, and Paul Isherwood, the quartet introduced themselves via the 2007 single “I Had a Girl” before delivering their debut long-player, Harmonium, on the Melodic label two years later. That set established their signature approach: a Motorik pulse beneath a dreamy, psychedelic haze and airy vocal harmonies. Its vinyl edition carried liner notes written by the late Chris Dedrick of the Free Design, an acknowledged influence. Celeste arrived in 2010 and, like its predecessor, drew warm notices from the press.
Entropicalia, the band’s third album, appeared on Ghost Box in 2014 after the preceding year’s ultra-limited vinyl-only collection of alternate mixes, The Other World of the Soundcarriers. Jesse Chandler of Midlake guested on several tracks, while actor Elijah Wood supplied narration for the twelve-minute, disquieting piece “This Is Normal.” Soon afterward the group entered hiatus, during which Wheatley joined Whyte Horses and the neo-disco outfit International Teachers of Pop. They were prompted back into activity by Thomas Patterson, music supervisor for the AMC series Lodge 49. In addition to furnishing the program’s haunting theme, they recorded a version of Scott Walker’s “The Seventh Seal.” Heartened by the collaboration, they expanded the theme into the full-length track “Waves,” released on a split single with Gloria, then tracked further material in non-studio locations—an art gallery, a primary school, and assorted houses—before issuing the results themselves. Wilds, bearing a stronger rhythmic drive yet retaining the swirling Baroque psych-pop sensibility, emerged on the band’s own Phosphonic label in early 2022. Continuing to work at their Nottingham rehearsal space, they produced Through Other Reflections, an album that deepens their psychedelic core while venturing into trippy folk rock, fuzz-scarred garage tones, and cinematic biker rock; it was released in mid-September 2024 on Phosphonic.
Comprising Adam Cann, Dorian Conway, Leonore Wheatley, and Paul Isherwood, the quartet introduced themselves via the 2007 single “I Had a Girl” before delivering their debut long-player, Harmonium, on the Melodic label two years later. That set established their signature approach: a Motorik pulse beneath a dreamy, psychedelic haze and airy vocal harmonies. Its vinyl edition carried liner notes written by the late Chris Dedrick of the Free Design, an acknowledged influence. Celeste arrived in 2010 and, like its predecessor, drew warm notices from the press.
Entropicalia, the band’s third album, appeared on Ghost Box in 2014 after the preceding year’s ultra-limited vinyl-only collection of alternate mixes, The Other World of the Soundcarriers. Jesse Chandler of Midlake guested on several tracks, while actor Elijah Wood supplied narration for the twelve-minute, disquieting piece “This Is Normal.” Soon afterward the group entered hiatus, during which Wheatley joined Whyte Horses and the neo-disco outfit International Teachers of Pop. They were prompted back into activity by Thomas Patterson, music supervisor for the AMC series Lodge 49. In addition to furnishing the program’s haunting theme, they recorded a version of Scott Walker’s “The Seventh Seal.” Heartened by the collaboration, they expanded the theme into the full-length track “Waves,” released on a split single with Gloria, then tracked further material in non-studio locations—an art gallery, a primary school, and assorted houses—before issuing the results themselves. Wilds, bearing a stronger rhythmic drive yet retaining the swirling Baroque psych-pop sensibility, emerged on the band’s own Phosphonic label in early 2022. Continuing to work at their Nottingham rehearsal space, they produced Through Other Reflections, an album that deepens their psychedelic core while venturing into trippy folk rock, fuzz-scarred garage tones, and cinematic biker rock; it was released in mid-September 2024 on Phosphonic.