Virgin Passages

Infobox musical artist
Name = Virgin Passages


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Genre = Psych Folk / Experimental
Years_active = 2004–present
Label = Fire Records (uk)
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Current_members = James Nicholls, Sarah Naylor, David Geoghegan, Kate Matthews, Gareth Evans, Davina Stevens
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Notable_instruments = Lap Steel Percussion, 3 Guitars, 6 Vocals, Cello, Clarinet, Bass

Virgin Passages are a three piece musical ensemble from Staffordshire based around James Nicholls, Sarah Naylor and David Geoghegan - three original members from the now defunct 5 piece 'Wardrobe' who released one record entitled 'Mechanism Genie & The Metronome'. The original band played the Truck Festival in 2001 and were played regularly on John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show. The band reformed as the Virgin Passages in 2004 and after releasing 'Box' (a 3 track EP on mini CD packed inside a wooden box) eventually signed to Fire Records (UK) in 2005. The first full length Virgin Passages release was released on 6th November 2006 entitled 'Mandalay'. The album received widespread acclaim (4/5 Time Out magazine.. A weekly national magazine. Released 15th November 2006 quotes the band as having "an effortless almost subsconscious way with a melody") but also confusion due to its abstract nature (NME, issue dated 18th November 2006 "we are left scratching our cavemen heads in bewilderment"). Both the Independent on Sunday (issue dated 19th November 2006) and Time Out warned us to "expect great things" from the bands debut 'Distance' released in April 2008.In February & March 2008 the band embarked on a European tour with MGMT [Columbia Records] an american band from Brooklyn.

Discography

* November 2001 "Mechanism Genie & The Metronome" (DONONE) as "The Wardrobe"
* July 2005 "Squealing Fans In My Tune - A Tribute To The Lemonheads Volume 2" (Mallo Twist SQMT2). Cover of 'Your Home Is Where You're Happy', originally by Charles Manson but covered by The Lemonheads on their Creator album.
* January 2006 "Keep Mother Volume 1" (BLAZE45142). 'The Seagulls' by the Virgin Passages (a 10 minute + improvised piece) is featured as part of this 10" Vinyl Series release by Fire Records. The experimental noise act 'Bender' (featuring Bad Seed James Johnston) provide the b-side.
* November 2006 "Mandalay". (FIRECD100) A collection of early unreleased recordings
* March 2007 "Swollen & Small". (FIRECD103) Provided sparse backing music and vocals to this four track Neutral Milk Hotel tribute EP by the artist Viking Moses.

* April 2008 "Distance". (FIRECD110) Debut mini-album 'Distance'

Sources

Time Out [http://www.timeout.com/london/music/review/audio/597/virgin_passages_mandalay.html November 2006 Published Review]

External links

* Fire Records [http://www.firerecords.com Virgin Passages Record Label]
* Myspace [http://www.firerecords.com Virgin Passages Official Myspace]