Esperi

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"Juxtaposing acoustic guitar and a whole host of odd instruments and percussion, Esperi mainman Chris Lee-Marr seems to be making all the right waves." – The List

Esperi is velvet voiced Scottish multi-instrumentalist Chris Lee-Marr, and he's back with his new release, The EP. Chris has already established himself as one of the most promising acts to come out of Scotland, having had his gorgeously surreal video for EP track, My Tear Dissolved The View featured on Q Magazine (online) and chosen as their Track Of The Day, as well as having his music played on BBC Radio 1 Scotland and BBC's "The Culture Show". Esperi has also supported the likes of Johnny Flynn and Ólöf Arnalds, and is a seasoned regular on the UK festival circuit.

Esperi’s The EP sees Chris taking the opportunity to collate all of his releases from the past 12 months, plus one brand new track, into one collection before moving on to his next big project - his debut album.

Chris’ delicate voice and honest songwriting is akin to Mike Kinsella (Owen, American Football) but with softer, lilting Scottish undertones. Opening track Dialled encapsulates everything that Esperi is about – meandering acoustic tones supported by a backbone of simple drums, strings and Chris’ gorgeous vocals. Dialled feels more like a wonderful, magical journey than a straightforward acoustic song. This is because Esperi is more than simply an acoustic artist but rather someone very special, writing stories that paint musical pictures, creating wonderful images that will touch your very heart and soul.

Made For Life and Snowman were originally released on limited edition CD as a double a-side Christmas single. Both tracks conjure up images of cold winter afternoons spent curled up beside a fire with a loved one, December sunshine streaming through the window as well as golden childhood memories spent playing in the snow. Cat Lee-Marr's guest vocals on the latter track add a poignant dynamic to the overall feel of the song that's sure to have many a grown man wiping a tear from their eye as they remember simpler times that bore none of the responsibilities of adulthood.



The final two songs on The EP (My Tear Dissolved The View and "Takkat") explore acoustic and electronic soundscapes, creating two instrumentally driven tracks that bear some resemblance to Richard D. James' (Aphex Twin) lo-fi ventures. They provide a stunning contrast to The EP's first three tracks, having no real vocals, as such - just odd phrases where Chris and Cat have dropped their voices into the mix to give the tunes a more harmonious body.

The EP was released via Olive Grove Records on 4th August 2011. It is available as a conventional CD or download, as well as on limited edition CD with a cover designed in felt.