First Listen: Signals – Under The Cover Of Darkness / Digital Sunsets

Signals are Ben Guy and Darran Hurst plus an ensemble cast that joins the band when required. Ben and Darran, old friends who have been part of Manchester’s music scene for years, were members of Narcissus and The War Poets respectively before coming together to self-release as Signals.

Although 2013’s debut album was an introspective, piano-led departure from what Ben and Darran had been doing in their former bands, their double A-side single is a return to their guitar and synth roots.

‘Under The Cover Of Darkness’ is a love letter to music; for being there in times good, bad or indifferent. The song was inspired by the David Bowie quote read by Gary Oldman at 2016’s Brit Awards shortly after the musician’s death:

“Music has given me over forty years of extraordinary experiences. I can’t say that life’s pains or more tragic episodes have been diminished because of it, but it has allowed me so many moments of companionship when I have been lonely and a sublime means of communication when I have wanted to touch people. It has been both my doorway of perception and the house that I live in.”

The song’s message is distilled into one particular line: “I still believe in a band”.

‘Digital Sunsets’ is a cautionary tale about communication and the preservation of this as a physical act. The track has already received support from North Manchester FM and BBC Radio Lancashire and is supported by an animated video.

“Nice Thom Yorke solo material vibes going on with [Digital Sunsets]”
Gareth Fletcher, BBC Introducing Lancashire

“Stirring, determinedly honest recordings”
Andy Richardson, The Ticket

“Signals have a bit of a Bowie vibe going on, in his gloomier moments…..it sounds epic and grand”
Cheshire Press

[table caption=”Tour Dates” width=”681″ colwidth=”150|300|100|150|350″ colalign=”left|left|left|left|left”]
Date,Venue,City,Country,Notes,
October 21,The Artisan, Rawtenstall, United Kingdom, Single Launch with DJ Lowrider,
October 26, The Wonder Inn, Manchester, United Kingdom,,
November 2, The Whitaker Museum and Event Space, Rossendale, United Kingdom,,
[/table]

LINKS:
http://www.signalsmusic.co.uk
https://twitter.com/SignalsHQ
https://www.facebook.com/Signals-445898875456274/?ref=page_internal
https://www.youtube.com/user/SignalsHQ
https://soundcloud.com/signalscloud