FELIX AND THE SUNSETS

Felix And The Sunsets are an alternative/garage/neo-pshycedelic rock group from Leith that are re-imagining the rock genre.  Since their formation in 2018 the band have gained critical acclaim, funding from Creative Scotland for their upcoming EP, playlisting from This Feeling and the Scottish Alternative Music Awards, as well as airplay across many radio shows like Scots What Hae! on Cam Glen Radio, the Kara Conway Show on Celtic Music Radio and Jim Gellatly on Amazing Radio.  The band also played their own headline show at Edinburgh's Sneaky Pete's in 2019.  

The band first started out as the solo project of Felix Christie in 2018 and was initially joined by his brother Lukas Christie and fellow former Aykara band mate Jonnie Wallace to produce several punk/indie rock singles which gained lots of air play from Amazing Radio and  reviews from online blogs like Discovery Music, The Music Files and Pictish Prism.  As this line up the band began playing live, with a main support slot to DMS at Edinburgh's Liquid Rooms and ending their run at their headline show at Sneaky Pete's.  Felix had a lot yet to accomplish with the band creatively so this was where he recruited fellow music stunned from their Bachelors music degree at Edinburgh College, drummer, percussionist and backing vocalist Max Wilson.  They then brought in Sean Logan on the keys, synth and piano, creating a new palette of sounds to create their EP.  The band played a handful of gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow before Covid lockdowns began and through out lockdown they have been keeping busy rehearsing socially distanced (when restrictions allow) in Edinburgh's Pianodrome.

Their debut EP 'This Will Change' was funded by Creative Scotland and is now available to download from Bandcamp.  With the final 3 tracks from the EP being released on the last Friday of February, March and April.  The band describe the EP as:

 "adventurous mix of sounds and influences, including 60’s organ, harmonies, glistening synth, distorted guitar riffs, bar-room piano, bongos, Latin rhythms and pounding rock drums from band members Felix, Max and Sean. The lyrics range from idealistic escapism, to a tongue-in-cheek psychedelic mushrooms trip, to a dark and haunting story of an unrepentant arsonist." - Felix and the Sunsets

Kicking things off with 'This Will Change' this song holds a powerful message of hope.  The track is "a celebration of the Black Lives Matter movement and the sea of people who marched for an end to systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd last summer".  There is a laid back vibe to this track with the instrumental playing a mellow samba rhythm, Afro-Carribean inspired percussive section and delicate finger picked guitar melodies.  The vocals are softly delivered with a heart felt tone and a positivity which melts right into the rhythm, there is a build up to a Santana style lead guitar solo and it ends out the song in a breath taking  fashion.  'Leaving On The Next Train' brings a funky 60s rock rhythm with a slight hint of a swing groove weaved through it.  This track starts out with a punchy drum beat and bass line, with bright piano and keys melodies bopping over the top giving the groove that funky dancing rhythm.  The track takes on those heavier guitar riffs as the song progresses and shifts between those bright melodic elements to the heavy, muddy and low bluesy country sounds from the electric guitar that reverberates right through your core.  

'The Mushroom Song' starts with a gritty driving rhythm from the electric guitars, bass and drums, the slight distortion that is present in the overall song gives it those vintage 60s/70s rock n' roll vibes.  The relentless and unfaltering pace will definitely send you to your feet and have you boogieing along too.  This track has all the elements of rock n' roll, the heavy guitar riffs, muddy guitar solos, deep bass lines and a driving drum beat.  'Pass My Matches' slows it down beginning with a delicate and passionate guitar melody alongside an organ melody sitting in the background.  The vocals join and there is a rich heartfelt tone that oozes out, and the way in which they glide so smoothly over the instruments it quickly gets right inside your head.  The song builds to a spine shivering immense guitar solo that will have you closing your eyes and enjoying every moment of the incredible sound that the guitar is producing.  The lush vocal harmonies add to the depth of the song and you are just instantly hooked.

This EP has elements of rock n roll, blues, country and swing and if you are into your vintage sounds and heavy guitar riffs then you need to get your ears round these guys and this EP.  It will find it's place comfortably in the playlists of fans of the likes of Chuck Berry, David Bowie, The Beatles and The Clash.  Each track shows the bands creative vision, talent, lyricism and musicianship.  This is a band that you need to know.

INSTAGRAM - felixandthesunsets

FACEBOOK - felixandthesunsets

TWITTER - @felixsunsets