Zervas and Pepper - Lifebringer

by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 28 / 4 / 2013

Label: Zeroded Records
Format: CD

Otherworldly and exquisite-sounding second album from critically-acclaimed Welsh duo and romantic couple, Zervas and Pepper

Review

Zervas & Pepper are attracting a lot of interest in the music press and on radio with their exquisite vocal harmonies, interesting arrangements and highly original songs. Paul Zervas and Kathryn Pepper are about to release their second album, 'Lifebringer', following the success of their debut release 'Somewhere in the City' which they recorded in 2011. The pair first met in the Toucan Club, Cardiff in their native Wales and soon decided to write and perform their own original songs as a duo. “That was a very exciting time for us,” Paul Zervas recalls. “We were still finding our feet as songwriters, pushing each other and digging ever deeper musically, determined not to be constrained by current trends in musical style. We realised we'd found our ultimate soul mates in each other. As our romance blossomed, the harmony in our music increasingly reflected the harmony in our lives – at times it felt almost otherworldly to us. And our audiences picked up on that.” With the help of well-regarded Welsh producer Kriss Jenkins, Zervas & Pepper released an EP in 2008 and started selling out local live shows. BBC Radio Wales soon picked up on them. By 2011 the duo had a significant following and their first album was released to great acclaim and much radio airplay. 6 Music's Radcliife & Maconie, Lauren Laverne and Steve Lamacq were all enthusiastic - and subsequently Tom Robinson and BBC Radio 2's Janice Long and Terry Wogan have heaped praise on the pair. 'Lifebringer', the new album, includes some of Wales's finest musicians. The material – which Zervas & Pepper describe as “sunny, cosmic, retro folk rock music” - is “more of an escape from reality” than the band's previous work, Paul Zervas says. Critics have been very positive, calling it “perfect festival music” with “an exquisite sound”. Comparisons have been made with Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. But this may be misleading as it downplays the originality and beauty of the best of Zervas & Pepper's work. 'Lifebringer' is a very satisfying listen. It is well worth making the effort to see Zervas & Pepper perform live with their highly versatile and impressive current line-up including Andrew Brown on bass, Jack Egglestone on drums and Simon Kingman on lead guitar.

Track Listing:-

1 Buffalo Crow
2 Living in a Small Town
3 Jerome
4 Lookout Mountain
5 Water Meets Fire
6 Sure Fire Bet
7 Silk Road
8 Ghost Dancer
9 One Man Show
10 Hobo's Ticket
11 All the World Has Changed