Some Velvet Morning

For some three’s a crowd, but not in the case of London-based trio, Some Velvet Morning. Drummer Rob Flanagan joined brothers Des and Gavin Lambert back in the autumn of 2000, following a brief spell with the 22-20s. Ever since, Some Velvet Morning have been a regular feature on the capital’s live music scene, chalking up over 200 shows to date.

It was in Soho’s musical Mecca, Denmark Street, that Rob and Des first met. Positioning himself daily in what is described by many as London’s Tin Pan Alley, Des could be found composing on the piano John Lennon had used to write ‘Imagine’ – inspiration obviously embedded in the wooden frame.

From their first rehearsal (Des switching to guitar and Gavin on bass), it was evident that the three held many musical influences in common including Blondie, The Police, U2 and of course The Beatles. Indeed, like the Fab Four’s Hamburg residency 40 years earlier, 2004 saw Some Velvet Morning playing all nighters across the French Riviera.

Upon returning to the UK, they had honed their sound. Within months Some Velvet Morning were signed to the New York indie label, RhythmBank Entertainment, founded by Nona Hendryx (Labelle / Talking Heads) and Vicki Wickham (Dusty Springfield / Morrissey / The Who).

This year has seen the band complete their debut album. Recorded and mixed over the summer at a number of studios (including Mayfair, The Strongrooms, Miloco and the legendary underground ‘Fishmarket’ complex), producers Rik Simpson (Coldplay/Kasabian) and Mike Pelanconi (Lily Allen / Graham Coxon) have helped capture Some Velvet Morning’s live energy on record.