The Jepettos

The Jepettos
OriginBelfast and Derry,
Northern Ireland
GenresAlternative folk
Years active2011 (2011)–present
LabelsUnsigned
Members
  • Michael Aicken
  • Ruth Aicken
  • Emma Flanagan
  • Colm Hinds
  • Daniel Kerr
  • Michael Andrews
  • Jonny Ashe
  • Laura-Jane Hughes
  • Sarah Williamson
  • Scott Jamison

The Jepettos are an alternative folk band from Belfast and Derry, Northern Ireland. The band was formed in February 2011[1] and consists of writer members Michael Aicken (vocals, guitars) and Ruth Aicken (vocals, various instruments) alongside an alternating line-up of musicians.[2] Highlights in the band's career have included supporting rapper Tinie Tempah[3] and sharing the bill with Foo Fighters and The Black Keys at Tennent's Vital in 2012.[4]

History

After performing together with Northern Ireland folk act The Lowly Knights,[5] Michael and Ruth Aicken initially formed The Jepettos with Derry trio Emma Flanagan (clarinet, glockenspiel), Colm Hinds (bass) and Daniel Kerr (drums, glockenspiel).[2] Since formation the group has also variously contained additional musicians Michael Andrews (bass), Scott Jamison (drums, glockenspiel), Jonny Ashe (electric guitar), Laura-Jane Hughes (trumpet) and Sarah Williamson (oboe).[6] The band is named after Geppetto, the father of fictional character Pinocchio.[7]

The group released their debut EP Start a New People in January 2012. Single "Goldrush" was released initially as a free download,[8] and featured Duke Special on piano.[7] The single garnered positive reviews from Hot Press magazine and the Daily Mirror,[9][7] and a music video, directed by Marty Stalker, was produced to accompany the release.[7]

The Jepettos made a number of showcase performances during the summer and autumn of 2012. They performed in July at Glasgowbury Festival,[9] and then in August the band was selected to play the new second stage at the annual Tennent's Vital festival, sharing the bill with The Black Keys and Foo Fighters.[10] At Arthur's Day 2012 the group supported English rapper Tinie Tempah live in Belfast.[3]

In 2013 The Jepettos released "Water", a single featuring cellist and singer Alana Henderson.[11] Henderson has since joined the backing group for Irish singer-songwriter Hozier, performing across the world and on national US television.[12] The song was chosen as BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens' "Introducing Discovery" in September 2013.[13]

Discography

The Jepettos discography
EPs3
Singles7
Music videos7

Extended plays

Year EP details Peak chart positions
UK
2012 Start a New People
  • Released: 6 January 2012[14]
  • Label: N/A
  • Format: CD, Download
—
2013 Troubles
  • Released: 15 December 2013[15]
  • Label: N/A
  • Format: CD, Download
—
2014 Closer —

Singles

Year Title[17] Chart Positions Album
UK IRL UK Indie
2012 "Goldrush" — — — Start a New People
2013 "Chemicals" — — — Troubles
"Water" (featuring Alana Henderson and Scott Jamison) — — —
2014 "Even Though" — — —
"What You Said" — — — —
"Orchard" (featuring Tabitha Agnew) — — — —
2015 "Møving Ūndergrøūnd" (with Cup O' Joe) — — — —
"—" denotes that a title did not chart.

Music videos

Year Title Director
2012 "Goldrush" Marty Stalker[18]
2013 "Chemicals" Darren Lee[19]
"Water" (featuring Alana Henderson and Scott Jamison) Matt Rutherfoord-Jones and Paul Elliot[11]
2014 "What You Said" Matt Rutherfoord-Jones and Paul Elliot[20]
"Even Though" Wolfhound Media[21]
"Orchard" (featuring Tabitha Agnew) Matt Rutherfoord-Jones and Paul Elliot[22]
2015 "Møving Ūndergrøūnd" Jørn Ranum and Inge Wegge[23]
ed. Paul Elliot[24]

References

  1. ^ Across the Line (8 December 2011). "That New Band Smell: The Jepettos". BBC Online. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b Fallaha, Simon (13 January 2012). "EP REVIEW: Start a New People". culturenorthernireland.org. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b Cuffe, Aidan Cuffe (26 September 2012). "Arthur's Day 2012 lineup". goldenplec.com. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  4. ^ "Strabane's Gerard i2 in T Vital slot to support the Stone Roses". Derry Journal. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  5. ^ Carberry, Colin (26 August 2008). "Knight fever". Hot Press. p. 2. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  6. ^ "The Jepettos | About". Facebook. Retrieved 6 October 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d McKeown, Brendan; Whyte, Mark (19 October 2012). "In front by a nose". Daily Mirror. Vol. Box Office. p. 3.
  8. ^ "Goldrush | The Jepettos". bandcamp.com. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Glasgowbury". Hot Press. Vol. 36, no. 13. 18 July 2012. p. 41.
  10. ^ "Tennent's UnTapped finalists to play at Tennent's Vital Bar". Ballymena Times. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Water – The Jepettos (ft Alana Henderson & Scott Jamison (GO WOLF)". YouTube. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  12. ^ Savage, Joanne (20 June 2014). "Q&A: Alana Henderson". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  13. ^ Stephens, Huw (24 September 2013). "BBC Introducing Discovery: The Jepettos – Water". BBC Online. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Start a New People". bandcamp.com. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Gig Guide: The Jepettos 'Troubles' EP Launch". thethinair.net. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Closer – EP". iTunes. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  17. ^ "The Jepettos". MusicBrainz. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  18. ^ "The Jepettos Music Video". scatteredimages.co.uk. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  19. ^ "Here's the video we made for "The Jepettos"". maverickrenegade.net. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  20. ^ "What You Said – The Jepettos". YouTube. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  21. ^ ""The Jepettos - Even Though" on FDRMX". Wolfhound Media. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  22. ^ "Water – The Jepettos (ft. Tabitha Agnew of CUP O' JOE)". YouTube. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  23. ^ "The Jepettos & Cup O' Joe – Moving Underground". fdrmx.com. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  24. ^ "Moving Underground – The Jepettos & Cup O' Joe". YouTube. 4 February 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.