Duke Spirit

tremors

The Duke Spirit
http://thedukespirit.com



I've noticed people over in the 'Best new bands' thread, have a very high regard for Liela Moss and the sensational Duke Spirit - sure to be a band to watch closely in 2011. The Duke Spirit are not really 'new' – they have two excellent albums and a number of singles, eps and covers under their belt, as well as being a storming live act. But they are right now working on the difficult 3rd album!

Overall I think the Duke Spirit are the most exciting, meaningful, and inspiring band to come out of England since the Stone Roses.

I thought we could rave about the Duke Spirit a bit more in this thread, and that people could link me up with good videos and mp3 show links etc. One of the main problems with the Duke Spirit is that Leila Moss is absolutely stunning; so the danger is that she gets far more attention than the music and the rest of the band does. Liela has used this sex symbol status to great advantage though – she has done fashion stuff for Alexander McQueen, which has helped the band reach a wider audience – the whole band have benefited from the 'fashion' status, and were recently asked to contribute a cover to Dr Martens (they did Sham 69). Liela has also done stuff for Target in the fashion department (not literally working there!!) - and Target carried a compilation CD which rounded up the band's best output between 2004 and 2009. It was a great collection, but not as great their mighty last album 'Neptune', which completely sizzles, and sings out like a preacher standing on a crate and enlightening the masses in central london!! They have also been promoted by Fender, and many other people 'in the know'.

The Dukes are working on a new album in 2010, for release in 2011, and if Neptune is anything to go by, it will be one of the essential albums of next year. Should we start another petition for the Duke Spirit to be Vedder and Co's support act on the next Pearl Jam tour?? The Duke Spirit sound is bound to appeal to the serious pearl jam fan; and the lyrics, topics and themes covered by Liela Moss are as deep as Vedder's in their scope and ambition. It's an ethereal shadowy place that Moss inhabits, and to my mind she is the best female vocalist that is still alive today. She has 'balls' like the best rock front men, and a voice to die for with echoes of Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry, Tori Amos, Lush and that woman from the gossip. Liela Moss is a singer and songwriter extraordinaire! I find her singing to just grows and grows on me, and across her albums she is developing and evolving away from the debut 'red weather' ep which really sets out their stall, and launched their career..

Anyway this post is tooooo lonnnnnggg!

A shorter way of saying all this would be: 'hands up if you love the duke spirit!''
and then: 'hands up if you think they should support pearl jam on their next tour!!'

It might yet happen! they have numerous similarities to pearl jam (themes, passion, rebelliousness, intelligence, ethics, songs that make you cry, knock you down then pick you back up). I predict the Duke Spirit might just be the band on everyone's lips across the U.S.A in 2011.

eeriepadave

I've seen them twice. Caught my attention 2 years ago when I heard "The Step & The Walk" which is a great song. Saw them play at the Download Festival w/ The Whigs, The Killers, Iggy, The Enemy (UK), Airborne Toxic Event and others. Tried uploading pics here, but wouldn't work even after i re-sized them! Well here's a video i took from the show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHn-npD_uhQ

Also saw them about a year later opening up for The Eagles Of Death Metal right down the road from me at Bam Margera's bar, The Note.

Few pics from that show




and here she is playing with them for Wannabe in LA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPqzeLgTpFY

mfc2006

big fan of the duke spirit...
looking forward to their new record!!!

tremors

eeriepadave wrote:

I've seen them twice. Caught my attention 2 years ago when I heard "The Step & The Walk" which is a great song. Saw them play at the Download Festival w/ The Whigs, The Killers, Iggy, The Enemy (UK), Airborne Toxic Event and others. Tried uploading pics here, but wouldn't work even after i re-sized them! Well here's a video i took from the show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHn-npD_uhQ

Also saw them about a year later opening up for The Eagles Of Death Metal right down the road from me at Bam Margera's bar, The Note.

Few pics from that show




and here she is playing with them for Wannabe in LA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPqzeLgTpFY

Thanks for that eeriepadave - will have a good look! I've not managed to catch them live yet - despite having tickets twice (I cancelled, they cancelled!!). I'd love to seem them play live.

A few people I've read here think they would be a great opening band for Pearl Jam - I agree! They have previously opened for Mercury Rev, and have opened for and seem quite tight with Josh Homme's Eagles of Death Metal. Do you know who else they have played with? It's quite an impressive list.

Definitely a band that mixes the spirit of grunge with folk, rock, pop, and all sorts of genres. One of my all time favourite female vocalists!

he.who.forgets

OP - you should write music reviews professionally (if you dont already). and I am new to the party but diggin what I hear. I mentioned this elsewhere, but they remind me of a cross between Band of Skulls and The Heartless Bastards. If you're not familiar with their music, you should check em out.

tremors

he.who.forgets wrote:

OP - you should write music reviews professionally (if you dont already). and I am new to the party but diggin what I hear. I mentioned this elsewhere, but they remind me of a cross between Band of Skulls and The Heartless Bastards. If you're not familiar with their music, you should check em out.

Very kind of you to say so. I do write professionally - but not generally about music. These days I write exclusively for PearlJam.com!

Thanks - I will check out those bands

tremors

tremors wrote:

The Duke Spirit
http://thedukespirit.com


I've noticed people over in the 'Best new bands' thread, have a very high regard for Liela Moss and the sensational Duke Spirit - sure to be a band to watch closely in 2011. The Duke Spirit are not really 'new' – they have two excellent albums and a number of singles, eps and covers under their belt, as well as being a storming live act. But they are right now working on the difficult 3rd album!

Overall I think the Duke Spirit are the most exciting, meaningful, and inspiring band to come out of England since the Stone Roses.

The Dukes are working on a new album in 2010, for release in 2011, and if Neptune is anything to go by, it will be one of the essential albums of next year. Should we start another petition for the Duke Spirit to be Vedder and Co's support act on the next Pearl Jam tour?? The Duke Spirit sound is bound to appeal to the serious pearl jam fan; and the lyrics, topics and themes covered by Liela Moss are as deep as Vedder's in their scope and ambition. It's an ethereal shadowy place that Moss inhabits, and to my mind she is the best female vocalist that is still alive today. She has 'balls' like the best rock front men, and a voice to die for with echoes of Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry, Tori Amos, Lush and that woman from the gossip. Liela Moss is a singer and songwriter extraordinaire! I find her singing to just grows and grows on me, and across her albums she is developing and evolving away from the debut 'red weather' ep which really sets out their stall, and launched their career..

A shorter way of saying all this would be: 'hands up if you love the duke spirit!''
and then: 'hands up if you think they should support pearl jam on their next tour!!'

It might yet happen! they have numerous similarities to pearl jam (themes, passion, rebelliousness, intelligence, ethics, songs that make you cry, knock you down then pick you back up). I predict the Duke Spirit might just be the band on everyone's lips across the U.S.A in 2011.

Here are the Duke Spirit covering 'Take me with you' by Prince - As well as Liela Moss being in the tradition of the best female vocalists that I've already mentioned - it has to be said - strong shades of Nico! Is it possible to get sexier than Prince? Clearly yes. Smouldering, sizzling, sweating, rock and rolling. A great introduction to the Spirit!

samjam

One of my friends is really into them and showed me one song recently (Cuts Across the Land) which I really dig. Gonna go check out some more!

tremors

samjam wrote:

One of my friends is really into them and showed me one song recently (Cuts Across the Land) which I really dig. Gonna go check out some more!

Yeah that's a great song - there are some excellent songs on that album, particularly that one and Lion Rip. However, for me it didn't completely 'work' as a record - the best listening seemed to come in the second half of the album.

Neptune (2008) however, is like one of the classic 'flawless' albums of old - I can listen to it from start to finish over and over - and get taken places.....

Some of the songs on Neptune are so good they defy description - Send a little love token, the step and the walk, into the fold, this ship was built to last, you really wake up the love in me, lassoo, neptune's call..... Scintillating, rocking, deep, disturbing, inspiring, profound. And the others are in no way 'fillers' - they are just darker, slower, more brooding. Neptune is certainly not the sound of a lesser known band going through the motions - rather a tight unit firing on all cylinders at the top of their game. It actually makes me concerned that it will too good for them to match or exceed on the next album. If they exceed it - the next album promises to be legendary!!

So ,if I was going to recommend a playlist for you, I would say all these songs just mentioned, plus the original 'Red Weather' from the Roll Spirit Roll ep (this version is on the 'Target' collection I believe), plus those songs from Cuts across the Land, along with Love is an unfamiliar name, the dark is light enough.

Also, the Dukes have done a number of amazing 'cover' versions - there's plenty to find out there- my favourites are Love's a House is not a motel, and this Prince on above - plus others that escape me right now.

Anyway - have a listen and let us know how you get on! I think I'll listen to Cuts across the land right now - not heard that album for a while (I'm always stuck on Neptune!!)

mfc2006

he.who.forgets wrote:

OP - you should write music reviews professionally (if you dont already). and I am new to the party but diggin what I hear. I mentioned this elsewhere, but they remind me of a cross between Band of Skulls and The Heartless Bastards. If you're not familiar with their music, you should check em out.

haven't heard Band of Skulls---will check them out. but i know that the Bastards kick all kinds of ass. great band!

tremors

I ended up listening to the duke spirit 'Target' compilation on my walkman cruising around town today. It's actually a VERY good collection and introduction to their work, bringing together highlights from the two albums with early stuff, a few b sides etc. some great rolling rockers, along with good moody slower stuff like Masca. liela moss has a very intereting way of 'phrasing' her singing which although the pitch of her voice can be reminiscent of other strong female vocalists, adds a more unique edge to her voice and words, and you can hear this evolve beautifully across their work to date. will be interesting to see where she takes this on the forthcoming album.

the target collection is not impossible to find. I think it's simply titled 'the duke spirit' (2009)
also of note with the band is their aesthetic and visual style, which along with the words explores an earthy almost pagan englishness, with a sense of esoteric lore from a bygone age. check covers of the early singles on itunes etc 4example

tremors

Duke Spirit cover versions

Here are a collection of some of my favourite duke spirit cover versions - Is interesting how many male vocalists Liela Moss covers

Prince

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4K_ww4ObBY

Arthur Lee's Love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XngWOBXizU

Sham 69 - if the kids are united

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hZIp4Q-xs


This one from the Henry Rollins show ain't a cover - but it kind of sets the pulse racing! . A friend from S. Carolina once told me how in native american lore if you see a feather - you pick it up to gain flight. I've always like Liela's feathers!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrwtxW1h76I

in need of a cold shower now!!

tremors

tremors wrote:

I ended up listening to the duke spirit 'Target' compilation on my walkman cruising around town today. It's actually a VERY good collection and introduction to their work, bringing together highlights from the two albums with early stuff, a few b sides etc. some great rolling rockers, along with good moody slower stuff like Masca. liela moss has a very intereting way of 'phrasing' her singing which although the pitch of her voice can be reminiscent of other strong female vocalists, adds a more unique edge to her voice and words, and you can hear this evolve beautifully across their work to date. will be interesting to see where she takes this on the forthcoming album.

the target collection is not impossible to find. I think it's simply titled 'the duke spirit' (2009)
also of note with the band is their aesthetic and visual style, which along with the words explores an earthy almost pagan englishness, with a sense of esoteric lore from a bygone age. check covers of the early singles on itunes etc 4example

I found this - first bit of concrete sounding info on the what the duke spirit may be up to currently - and new release plans. Looks like they have been building their own studio!! (although I'm not quite sure exactly when this was written, it does seem to hint at early 2011 for some new music)

http://www.premier-percussion.com/artists/olly-betts

'The last year has been incredibly busy for The Duke Spirit and they have constantly toured in the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and the UK.

Along with TV and Radio promotion including Late Night with David Letterman, The Jay Leno Show, Last Call with Carson Daily and Alexa Chung on MTV as well as collaborating on the computer game Guitar Hero 5.

The band finished promoting their album Neptune in September supporting the American band Incubus on a three month Enormadome tour across North America, squeezing in shows of their own and a few festivals for good measure.

They returned to an autumnal London towards the end of September and set straight to work building their own brand new studio where they have been working ever since, writing and recording the next EP due for release later in the year with an album release in January. Watch out 2011, The Duke Spirit are coming!'

tremors

Some great shots from Liela and the Duke's recent outing at the Y-3 fashion show in New York City (September 12th 2010).






(Nylon magazine)

http://www.nylonmag.com/?section=article&parid=5141


we need some more music tho!!

wash_

Excellent band. Saw them at a festival many years ago; they're very good live. Can't wait for the new album to come out.

Good to see some love for this band! Thought I was the only one who liked them!

tremors

Bit of movement over at the duke spirit website - 'NEW SONGS COMING SOON' and a fancy new look!







Sign up to the mailing list for advance word.....!

exciting

tremors wrote:

The Duke Spirit
http://thedukespirit.com


I've noticed people over in the 'Best new bands' thread, have a very high regard for Liela Moss and the sensational Duke Spirit - sure to be a band to watch closely in 2011. The Duke Spirit are not really 'new' – they have two excellent albums and a number of singles, eps and covers under their belt, as well as being a storming live act. But they are right now working on the difficult 3rd album!

Overall I think the Duke Spirit are the most exciting, meaningful, and inspiring band to come out of England since the Stone Roses.

I thought we could rave about the Duke Spirit a bit more in this thread, and that people could link me up with good videos and mp3 show links etc. One of the main problems with the Duke Spirit is that Leila Moss is absolutely stunning; so the danger is that she gets far more attention than the music and the rest of the band does. Liela has used this sex symbol status to great advantage though – she has done fashion stuff for Alexander McQueen, which has helped the band reach a wider audience – the whole band have benefited from the 'fashion' status, and were recently asked to contribute a cover to Dr Martens (they did Sham 69). Liela has also done stuff for Target in the fashion department (not literally working there!!) - and Target carried a compilation CD which rounded up the band's best output between 2004 and 2009. It was a great collection, but not as great their mighty last album 'Neptune', which completely sizzles, and sings out like a preacher standing on a crate and enlightening the masses in central london!! They have also been promoted by Fender, and many other people 'in the know'.

The Dukes are working on a new album in 2010, for release in 2011, and if Neptune is anything to go by, it will be one of the essential albums of next year. Should we start another petition for the Duke Spirit to be Vedder and Co's support act on the next Pearl Jam tour?? The Duke Spirit sound is bound to appeal to the serious pearl jam fan; and the lyrics, topics and themes covered by Liela Moss are as deep as Vedder's in their scope and ambition. It's an ethereal shadowy place that Moss inhabits, and to my mind she is the best female vocalist that is still alive today. She has 'balls' like the best rock front men, and a voice to die for with echoes of Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry, Tori Amos, Lush and that woman from the gossip. Liela Moss is a singer and songwriter extraordinaire! I find her singing to just grows and grows on me, and across her albums she is developing and evolving away from the debut 'red weather' ep which really sets out their stall, and launched their career..

Anyway this post is tooooo lonnnnnggg!

A shorter way of saying all this would be: 'hands up if you love the duke spirit!''
and then: 'hands up if you think they should support pearl jam on their next tour!!'

It might yet happen! they have numerous similarities to pearl jam (themes, passion, rebelliousness, intelligence, ethics, songs that make you cry, knock you down then pick you back up). I predict the Duke Spirit might just be the band on everyone's lips across the U.S.A in 2011.

eeriepadave

finally got the pics to work. this was from the Download festival in '08 in Camden, NJ

tremors

Cool! Thanks for those.

(ouch!)

tremors

Hopefully we will get an idea soon about the timing of the new duke spirit album (2010 / 2011 ??). I think it might well prove to be the best album of 2011; and maybe the duke spirit will finally get the praise they deserve for being one of the best new bands / best upcoming band of 2011. They are certainly good enough and deserve much more praise and attention than they have had so far - they always seem just a little below the radar.

Liela Moss is a cool creative chick - her singing, art, fashion, songs, style - a great overall aesthetic I think. Her politics are important too. Here's a piece she donated to the 'Whatever It Takes' Foundation. As ever I love the style, love the words - Liela does like her feathers though!!

tremors

Hey eeriePAdave - I saw this photo of Ms. Moss on a cool music blog - looks like it must have been taken by the guy in front of you! (Yours are better pics though!!)

I'm still waiting on album and tour news, but will post here when I hear anything

tremors wrote:

Hopefully we will get an idea soon about the timing of the new duke spirit album (2010 / 2011 ??). I think it might well prove to be the best album of 2011; and maybe the Dukes will finally get the praise they deserve: Duke Spirit - one of the best new bands / best upcoming band of 2011! They are certainly good enough and deserve much more praise and attention than they have had so far - they always seem just a little below the radar.

Liela Moss is a cool creative chick - her singing, art, fashion, songs, style - a great overall aesthetic I think. Her politics are important too. Here's a piece she donated to the 'Whatever It Takes' Foundation. As ever I love the style, love the words - Liela does like her feathers though!!

eeriepadave

tremors wrote:

Hey eeriePAdave - I saw this photo of Ms. Moss on a cool music blog - looks like it must have been taken by the guy in front of you! (Yours are better pics though!!)

I'm still waiting on album and tour news, but will post here when I hear anything

tremors wrote:

Hopefully we will get an idea soon about the timing of the new duke spirit album (2010 / 2011 ??). I think it might well prove to be the best album of 2011; and maybe the Dukes will finally get the praise they deserve: Duke Spirit - one of the best new bands / best upcoming band of 2011! They are certainly good enough and deserve much more praise and attention than they have had so far - they always seem just a little below the radar.

Liela Moss is a cool creative chick - her singing, art, fashion, songs, style - a great overall aesthetic I think. Her politics are important too. Here's a piece she donated to the 'Whatever It Takes' Foundation. As ever I love the style, love the words - Liela does like her feathers though!!

lol cool. i thought i was up front. unless that was taken by a professional. It could be one of mine though.

edit: nope not mine
here a few more from that show though

tremors

Cool! They certainly are a photogenic band lol. I think those photos must have been taken by the guy with the whacking great camera in one of your previous shots - hope we haven't blown his cover!

There are some great images of the Duke Spirit out there as well as sounds..... Great look! I thought these ones looked pretty good when I was looking earlier. Thanks for the shots!

eeriepadave wrote:

tremors wrote:

Hey eeriePAdave - I saw this photo of Ms. Moss on a cool music blog - looks like it must have been taken by the guy in front of you! (Yours are better pics though!!)

I'm still waiting on album and tour news, but will post here when I hear anything

tremors wrote:

Hopefully we will get an idea soon about the timing of the new duke spirit album (2010 / 2011 ??). I think it might well prove to be the best album of 2011; and maybe the Dukes will finally get the praise they deserve: Duke Spirit - one of the best new bands / best upcoming band of 2011! They are certainly good enough and deserve much more praise and attention than they have had so far - they always seem just a little below the radar.

Liela Moss is a cool creative chick - her singing, art, fashion, songs, style - a great overall aesthetic I think. Her politics are important too. Here's a piece she donated to the 'Whatever It Takes' Foundation. As ever I love the style, love the words - Liela does like her feathers though!!

lol cool. i thought i was up front. unless that was taken by a professional. It could be one of mine though.

edit: nope not mine
here a few more from that show though

yoke

awesome band.. saw them few times in a few small clubs in Asbury Park in 2008. I have turned a few people on to them since. Live show is very energetic, I can't wait for the new album to be honest.

This clip is from the Saint in Asbury Park. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh5fQFCSPPE


All the audio from the Wonder Bar shows in Asbury Park are terrible. I have tried to find some but I have not been able to yet. So if anyone can find some pass it along

tremors

hehehe - what do you guys think of these little Duke Spirit logos I've knocked up in anticipation of the new album!!??


Best new album and Best new band!


Best new album. Bes new band. Best album. Best band.
The Duke Spirit - Best Band of 2011? Best album of 2011? Almost definitely!






best album, best band. best new album, best new band. 2010, 2011

tremors

The Duke Spirit seem to be walking with esteemed and high-profile company these days - adidas and the 'Vampire Diaries' (whatever this is - we don't have it in the UK!) to name but two.

So as well as joining the list of notable singers bands and artists who have strengthened adidas' strong links within street, style and music, the Dukes are getting a bit Bram Stoker on us (...he what wrote Dracula first, kids!) - very fitting...... both!!

No news on the new album yet but 'Neptune' is still setting fire to my ears - so what's the rush!!?

tremors wrote:

hehehe - what do you guys think of these little Duke Spirit logos I've knocked up in anticipation of the new album!!??
















I'm getting rather proud of my blossoming graphics skills these days!!

tremors

MOST EXCELLENT DUKE SPIRIT NEWS!!

"We’ve literally just finished our 3rd album. The last song was mixed yesterday. I think we’re planning to release something in the next month or so, and then the album early next year. We toured the last album for about 18 months, so when we finished we came home to London, took a bit of time off, and built our own studio. We took our time writing, and recorded the album in a few different sessions in London, Gloucestershire and Los Angeles."

5 Questions With: The Duke Spirit
September 26th, 2010

http://fansclubnight.com/2010/09/5-ques ... ke-spirit/


With their first album back in 2006 produced by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) and Flood (known for his work with U2, Nine Inch Nails and Nick Cave), The Duke Spirit have worked hard ever since. Playing Coachella, releasing a collaboration record with UNKLE, and touring relentlessly, The Duke Spirit have almost completed their latest album. We spoke to Toby from The Duke Spirit and asked him a couple of questions.

What’s your all time favourite clip on youtube?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o
Just imagine if this guy was President. The world would be a better place.

What are you working on at the moment?
We’ve literally just finished our 3rd album. The last song was mixed yesterday. I think we’re planning to release something in the next month or so, and then the album early next year. We toured the last album for about 18 months, so when we finished we came home to London, took a bit of time off, and built our own studio. We took our time writing, and recorded the album in a few different sessions in London, Gloucestershire and Los Angeles.

Best hangover cure?
Bloody Mary’s or 3 pints of Guinness.

If you could have anyone support you at a show, who would it be and why?
Can I have the Rolling Stones? I’d like the biggest band in the world to support us. [ ]

Best live show you’ve ever been to?
Probably the Rolling Stones 2 years ago. It honestly blew me away. Real proof that Rock and Roll is good for your health.





_________________________________________________

tremors

tremors

tremors

tremors

tremors

DUKE SPIRIT NEWS

New Duke Spirit album early 2011!!

Time for a duke spirit round-up......!!

A lot has been happening in the past few weeks: the duke spirit website was updated with the tantalising words 'NEW SONGS COMING SOON' and today came the awesome confirmation that the new duke spirit album is finished, and will be released early 2011!!

Liela Moss and the Duke Spirit helped launch the latest Adidas Y-3 fashion range in New York in September, joining the esteemed roll-call of musical ambassadors and exponents of the deep adidas 'street', 'style' and ''music' connection.





Meanwhile; there has been much buzz and excitement over the internet airwaves about the dukes' next and latest moves, and growing curiosity about the new album. Many are positive that the Duke Spirit will prove the best band of 2011; their new album promises to set the year alight! A duke spirit tour would really cap things off now!! - headlining, or supporting another major band (like the Rolling Stones!!?!).

I have heard that the new album may be 'dirtier' and darker that the exemplary 'Neptune' (2008) - if this is possible. What I think is so great about the Duke Spirit (and Neptune in particular) is the way Liela Moss uses her voice ~ electrified by the incandescent guitar work – to evoke both joy and foreboding in qual measure..... Many of the always superb lyrics are able to induce both inspiration and trepidation!

The new album could be even greater than Neptune, and if it is – expect to seek out Leila Moss's intricate vocal nuances – at once husky and smouldering, childlike and awestruck, sassy yet innocent, sexy, pure and defiled in one breath – and always guaranteed to create an urgent sense of disquiet, of twisted hope, transcendence – which is obviously something that Eddie Vedder is also a past master of.

SO! over the coming weeks, months and year, us duke spirit fans should be listening out for a scintillating new album, a tour, and one of the best bands of the era – the Duke Spirit – setting 2011 alight!!

Great news....!!