'The Psychic Echo' are a two-piece band from Newport, mainland UK, consisting of two wold-class artistes in their own right. The lead vocalist is the beautiful & exeptionally gifted Eva, backed up by a very brilliant, but seemingly unassuming artiste/producer, Darkstar.

They have completed recording their debut album 'Into the light' which is available from I-tunes, CD-baby, Amazon & other good outlets. I understand they're shooting their first video soon too, so watch this space. www.bebo.com/thepsychicecho

The Psychic Echo describe their music as "Dark, alternative, electronica" however, there is a pleasently-suprising acoustic (almost unplugged) sound & feel to it. The songs frequently feature tastefully & very expressively played, acoustic piano, & bowed string sounds, backed up with refreshingly imaginative rhythms, arpeggios & effects.
The unmistakingly classical influence is just one of many characteristics which makes
The Psychic Echos' music unique - but what really sets them apart, are two main things;

1. Evas' voice: - rich, sweet, ultra-feminine, full of nervous angst, emotional power,
& quite possibly the most gorgeous voice I've yet heard! (Hand-on-heart.) On first listening, Eva put me very much in mind of Siouxie Sioux - except that, I really believe that Siouxie would kill for a voice like this! ".......hand around the killing jar." ey Siouxie? You'll keep coming back to listen again & again.  She has a way of reaching in through your ears to grab your soul. But don't take my word for it - listen to 'Dark Angel' - this is a truly beautiful track, (my personal favorite) with a trippy, dreamy feel - & Evas' slightly breathy vocal is simply devastating! Eva is definately an undiscovered superstar.

2. Their melodies are the second thing that sets them apart - not just the lead melodies, (which are strong, delicate & emotional) but the subtlely interwoven riffs & pulses in the background - showing Darkstars' endless creativity & ability to explore musical avenues. It all sounds so clear, crisp & the arrangements always work brilliantly. Speaking as someone who has ventured into musical production - I find Darkstars' production work simply amazing - & very inspiring!

'Kill me if you dare' is a song (basically) structured around a single piano arrangement, quite melancholy - & giving a great sense of morbid gothic dispair. This proves that less is definately more. Even when there's plenty of instrumentation, it never feels like too much - it always feels just right.

'The dead don't bleed' is another beautiful track, with quite an 80's Gothic feel at the start, which is probably why I love it. Sisters Of Mercy (Floodland) fans will be impressed here - but then it builds up to a kind of techno-rhythm, which is unexpected but perfect at the same time. There's a great building of tension in many of the songs - this is another thing The Psychic Echo are really good at.

One more song I'd like to mention, is 'The butterfly effect', which starts with a kind of
Sixties psychedelic soundscape, but gradually builds towards a synthy, tech-style trip,
as it draws rowards the climax. This is another song which shows Darkstars' flawless arrangement/production skills, & Evas' uniquely expressive vocal style.

But no amount of discription can do justice to the way this music effects you on an
emotional level - because that's what is really important in music. The Psychic Echo - as the name suggests, is ultimately an instrument of emotional, musical & I would say, spiritual expression. They are very Gothic - & so, their music is moody, melancholy, touching, mysterious & intriguingly compelling. An acquired taste for some (think Siouxie meets The Doors, with a dash of Kate Bush) but even then, you'd not even be half-way there.......you'll have to listen to get it - & you'll be glad you did!!

www.myspace.com/thepsychicecho

www.bebo.com/thepsychicecho

Nyal Purcell - Eternal Music