abbie gale

It was the summer of 2005 when Abbie Gale’s debut, “Family Life”, was released from the independent label Vacant Records. The beloved, now, band from Patras, took its first steps with modesty and grace, creating a pleasant surprise and receiving dithyrambic reviews, which was rather expected, as the Greek indie scene needed more than ever, fresh sounds, original listenings and new faces.

The impressive thing about “Family Life” was that Abbie Gale managed to combine the freshness of an emerging band with a fullness that often characterizes groups that have long worked together and have matured. Ten tracks of pure pop, without unnecessary elements and fanfare, simple and effective arrangements and authentic lyrics dressed in bittersweet melodies that have found the perfect performance in Evira’s unique voice.

Inner Ear having released the last two albums of Abbie Gale, always wanted to add to its catalogue the little gem of “Family Life”, so it had acquired the rights to the album from 2007. At the end of last year the project of a reissue began, with enthusiasm and excitement from both Abbie Gale and Inner Ear. Sak (Raining Pleasure) did the new mixing and mastering and so the original recordings of “Family Life” gained the dynamics and the sound they deserved, without losing anything from the original magic of the album. The edition was completed with an original, minimal artwork made by db.

They have been justly characterized as one of the best bands of the local indie scene. Three years have passed since the release of “2” and Abbie Gale’s devoted fanbase is looking forward to their new album, which comes out, at last, from Inner Ear. Abbie Gale return with their third studio album, “No Inspiration”, and it looks as if it was worth waiting for it.

The album’s title is totally misleading as far as its content is concerned (the complete opposite of uninspired) but it surely represents two quite dodgy years for the band (both at a personal and professional level) which however have lead to their maturest album so far. “No Inspiration” unfolds like a vivid dream and becomes real through sensitive vocals that balance on dark drowsy motifs but also on fast guitar and drum rhythms. Fragile melodies stand against whirling arrangements and subdued atmospherics give way to dynamic, spirited bursts. The thematics of “No Inspiration” are stemming mostly from the tension provoked from the exploration of the human psyche and they have an existential, erotic but also political character. Angelic and distant but also human and gorgeously innocent, Evira’s voice adds an emotional depth to even the simplest lyrics, while seasons and moods change through her timbres.

Addictive from the first to the last notes, “No Inspiration” continues to impress and surprise with each consecutive listen and for this reason it is expected to be listened to again and again.

This is the new Abbie Gale 7” Vinyl Single in a very limited edition release by the always kinetic Inner Ear Records! Evira-the band’s lead singer and one of the most promising female performers of the new indie Greek scene-gets into songwriting for the first time and the result is tempting: repetitive, minimal lyrics, sharp and almost industrial drum-playing along with overdriven guitar pandemonium set the scene for their most mature track ever, ”Fall”. In the b-side-a very different version of ‘Mom’ from their debut album ‘Family Life’-they serve their last homage to their avant-garde, shoegazing past before they re-invent themselves, cranking up the volume and leading the track to an explosive finale! The qualitative artwork and packaging as well as the rarity of this single-only 400 copies cut-make it an absolute must-have!

Following the high expectations established, two years ago, with the release of their debut “Family Life”, Abbie Gale return with their second album which is symbolically entitled «2», while it’s the maiden release of Inner Ear Records.

Having conquered experience by now and with the support of a compact and integral production the four-piece group presents a fully creative project, always guided by Evira’s captivating voice. Her wide vocal range, her colourful vocals and her performance, ideally adjusted to the needs of each track, “light up” the mature compositions of “2”.

From the existential introversion of the opening track, “Life After Life”, to the diaphanous light of the ethereal “dialogue” between Evira and Raining Pleasure’s Vassilikos in “Lovesong” and from the heady lyricism of “Clown” and “Air” to the agony of the recited manifesto of “Danko”, Abbie Gale are not here to fill the gap or to restructure the domestic competition but to remind us that love for creation combined with inspiration – which in their case is ample – when originating from an harmonic collaboration with a clear aesthetic apprehension, remain always essential for the achievement of an exceptional result.