Archetype Cafe by Talis Kimberley

Talis Kimberley is a blazingly talented and original performer whose work is now starting to reach the wider audience it deserves. From the poignant to the outrageously funny, via intelligent narrative lyrics and inventive eclectic music, Talis combines witty and polished songwriting with blinding charisma onstage.

The new album, 'Archetype Café', is firmly centred in the alternative rock style Talis has developed, and which suits the narrative style of her songs so well. Here are sly and well-observed lyrics crafted into engaging music with Talis's usual crew - her band, Mythical Beasts - adding a fine assortment of instruments to her stunning voice.

Talis has been performing steadily since starting out solo several years ago at events in and around her home town of Bristol. Soon she was travelling widely and delighting a variety of audiences including festivals (Glastonbury, Bristol Community Festival), Arts Centres, and literary events. With John Jones and Kieran Taaffe, she formed the band, Mythical Beasts, which was rapidly signed to an independent label and recorded their first album.

However, when the project failed to reach release through internal problems at the label, Talis seized the opportunity to re-direct her music. With a new line-up behind her (John Jones, Simon Fairbourn, Tim Walker, plus newcomer Abi Salinger and occasional guests) and an ambitious but realistic set of goals, Talis developed her current eclectic and contemporary sound, gigging solo and with the Beasts. Her engaging and intimate performance style has won her admirers in Germany, America and Canada, each of which she recently visited on the Archetype Café tour..

Talis relaunched her career through Marchwood Media in 1998. She is now steadily expanding her fanbase and contacts, and has a determined and mature attitude to her work.

Each member of the band is a multi-instrumentalist; bassist John Jones sparkles on flute, drummer Tim is a cracking trumpeter, keyboardist Simon is a first class bassoonist and no slouch on the saxophone. Talis keeps mainly to guitar when she's not playing harp or bouzouki. And that's the line-up when Mythical Beasts are travelling light. Classical, rock and roots backgrounds are knitted together in Talis's arrangements, where bassoon and harp offset acoustic guitar, bass and ever-so-subtle drums.

Talis is not only a fine a musician, but a stunning wordsmith. Always prolific, she has now been writing for many years, and American, Canadian and German artists have covered her songs. Talis's extensive catalogue includes tales of modern living and fables full of pageantry and myth, each song full of cunning, literate lyrics which tell stories and weave images, turning phrases that will catch and linger in your memory. Be prepared to change your expectations of female singer/songwriters and let Talis's voice soar and caress its way into your hearing.

REVIEWS - OF 'ARCHEYPE CAFÉ'

"...blew the top off my head. I love it. The sound is great... the writing is beyond words... thank you for putting together such a satisfying album"

Rand Bellavia, USA, of alternative rock band 'Ookla the Mok'

"Unique and exciting sound... intricate and beautiful lyrics"

Tom Jeffers, Canada, radio host & producer

"Talis calls her music 'Urban Wardrobe'... it's a perfect description. Come in & rummage for a while. Each song is distinctive... beautiful voice, strong, clear and passionate. Her songs have the extraordinary ability to touch parts of your soul you usually keep hidden"

Joules Taylor, UK, author of 'The Little Book of Celtic Myths'

"Archetype Café ... conveys a world of imaginative personalities who are not exactly lost for words... dark places in Talis's world that I would not care to visit... also places I would love to go. If she does find out where Archetype Café is now, I hope she'll save a seat for me."

Hilary Robinson, N I, comics writer

"Like the proverbial spider, singer/songwriter Talis Kimberley, one of Bristol's best kept secrets, has that innate ability to create a musical web of lyrical imagery of human feelings and emotions that beckons the receptive listener and entices them in. Talis' latest recording, "Archetype Cafe" is a poignant masterpiece of magical charm, invention and gentle beauty that effectively uses mood and atmosphere to craft a real little 'gem'.

This young musician has an unforced style that is very endearing and one that grows on you the more that you listen to her. On "Archetype Cafe" there are no fillers among the twelve original songs presented by Talis, that focus on lyrics that are both soul-searching and universal. Fans of

Talis are sure to lap up this self-assured and well produced offering, and "Archetype Cafe" should attract the attention of quite a few more."

Lyle Skinner, Canada, music reviewer & radio host.

REVIEWS - OF TALIS AND MYTHICAL BEASTS IN PERFORMANCE

"Her voice is clear and bewitching, her musical talent manifold"

Peter von Freyburg, Germany, reviewer (trans. J.Honisch)

"A prolific talent... every track was a peach"

Frank Blades, writing in Feedback magazine

"Highly original Bristol-based singer-songwriter... an amazing voice"

Venue Magazine

'ARCHETYPE CAFÉ' SONG BY SONG

Archetype Café: Witty, lively, historical namedropping, bassoon showcase with sparkling lyric

Thin Blue Mean Streak: Happy, bitchy song with infectious rhythms and not a hint of apology. So there

Eleven Candles: Intense and sensual

A Prayer for Santa Lucia: Evocative and layered with poetry and imagery

Rapunzel: Boisterous, jazz/rock big energy nonsense

The Highwayman: Narrative song with layered harp

Pale Shamen: Rock/roots number in Fleetwood Mac/Tull-style

Taken by Storm: Tori Amos-esque, strange, passionate folly

Small Mended Corners: Most frequently mentioned as audience favourite, an Everywoman (and man) song embracing change

One Big Sea: Big piano number - very radio-worthy, we're told

Carrion: The mean one: hard edged, big, bad and loud.

Harbouring Hopes: Poignant dismissal with bassoon and harp

TALIS SAYS:

"I balance an international rock-chick personas with a domesticated creature who loves baking and moving all the furniture around. I like chocolate; I drink a great deal of tea. I like being five foot tall, really I do. I use henna on my hair and I don't care who knows it. I enjoy occasional fits of arabic dancing, archery, and horse riding, especially side-saddle on a white horse. I am involved with a re-enactment group called the Far Isles Mediaeval Society, in which I am the Head of the School of Bards, and lead a small fictitious hamlet called Muchmead. My favourite drink (after Rose Pouchong tea) is mead, and my favourite food is tiramisu, which, fortunately, I make rather well. I dislike coconut, mayonnaise, prawns, and blue cheese. And yoghurt. Bleugh. I don't keep a regular diary (except the erb-based sort, on my site) because it's all there in my songs. No, I don't always understand them either."

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