London based band Phonoma consists of Jeff Higgins (drums, percussion, drum programmer), Oisín O'Regan (lead guitar, backing vocals), Gavin O'Brien (Piano, rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Brendan Stanfield (Bass Guitar) and Rachel Clark (Vocals, Piano). The five piece can trace it's roots back to the formative years of Gavin and Jeff, who cut their musical teeth together from a young age in Cork, Ireland. Gavin's move to Maynooth for university brought him into contact with Oisín, and Eóin Mc Donnell, leading to the formation of a band known as The Head Nods, which became the precursor to the development of Phonoma, but it was not until the Irish boys were reuinited in London that their musical fortunes took their current shape. Enter Brendan, from the far flung land of upside down town (also known as Australia), Rachel, who met all the boys in London and couldn't wait to get singing with them, and Andzs Mizonis, who's enthusiasm can be best seen in the fact that he booked the band's first gig before they had properly formed. Latvia's Fonofest festival was to be the stage for the bands baptism of fire. Needing a name, (and with Oisín and Jeff in particular opposed to Gavin's fondness for the title, “Gavin O'Brien and the Dingleberries”) they settled on the name “Phonoma”, the name of a deep ocean fish, tweaked to pay homage to the festival that started them in motion and to include a subtle hint at a dated measurement of loudness
Though set up in a traditional five piece rock fashion, this band is in no way bound by tradition. Electronic influences are as apparent as the blues, jazz and hard rock they eschew. Drum loops and heavily effected vocals are amongst the hallmarks of a Phonoma live show. These electronic elements, coupled with nuanced and melodic song structure, as well as a hefty dose of balls out rock make for a live experience abundant in energetic subtlety, underpinned by sincere and memorable songs. The band goes from strength to strength both in terms of musicianship and craft, and as a live act to be reckoned with. The Phonoma experience is not to be missed!
