Biography:

Irvine is an indie rock band from South Africa with a distinctive sound filling the space between indie and rock, emo and pop, chaotic elation and quiet contemplation. Having performed across South Africa and the UK, the band has emerged from a hiatus to produce what they think of as their most musically mature work – a collection of heartfelt and emotive songs that tell the story of the meandering musical and personal journey they’ve travelled since releasing their debut album in 2013.

The band is comprised of brothers Bob and Chris Thorpe, who grew up in East London, a beach town on South Africa’s east coast. It’s their enduring songwriting partnership that has kept their music interesting and appealing, bringing their unique lyrical touch and abstract production style to a powerful rock sound that draws on influences such as Jimmy Eat World, Cold War Kids, Bon Iver and Broken Social Scene to produce songs that are as memorable as they are intricate.

Irvine’s independently released debut album was well received by both fans and media with their single “The Chase” receiving airplay on radio and television stations across South Africa. The song was also featured in the homepage video for the official website of the Sports Illustrated SA Swimwear edition, as well as on VO5's Art of Stylin campaign. Irvine’s previous single “The Illusion of Dreaming” featured as a single on the international compilation Riot on Sunset Vol.17, released across America by Hollywood-based independent rock label 272 Records. The band's intense, energetic live show has seen them complete national tours with artists such as Crash Car Burn and Tree63’s John Ellis and perform at South Africa’s National Arts Festival.

Irvine’s new EP, Guiding Pulses, released through German record label FBP Music, sees both a refinement of Irvine’s music to include more indie folk and synth-infused elements, while keeping the catchy choruses, chaotic guitars and moody breakdowns their fans have come to love. Their latest single “Breathing” with its synth-laden, haunting vocals melded with raw instrumentation and unexpected sonic textures is a perfect example of this new direction. The first single off Guiding Pulses, “Reflections”, which has gained over 60 000 streams on Spotify, combines an acoustic sensibility with the anthemic choruses that deliver the honesty and defiance that has become the hallmark of Irvine’s sound.

The Guiding Pulses EP was produced by both Chris and Bob, with Bob, an experienced studio engineer, having completed all the engineering, mixing and mastering himself. Such a personal touch means that the production and recording intricacies are part of their musical story, offering surprises and rewards to the attentive listener.

Ahead of their EP launch, Irvine recently released an intriguing new video to accompany their single “Breathing”, following the well-received, dreamy video released for “Reflections” earlier this year. They will also be touring in South Africa later this year and are planning shows further afield in the near future, so keep an eye on their website, www.irvinetheband.com, for updates.