Coptic Soldier has gone from strength to strength over the past year, his debut EP The Sound of Wings (a cross-genre collaborative effort with Sydney soul singer Miriam Waks) proved a huge hit on independent radio stations across the country, spending months in AMRAP’s Top 5 “Most Ordered To Air” charts. As well as joining Phatchance on two national headline tours and supporting many of the “whose who” of Australian Hip-Hop (Bliss N Eso, Drapht, The Herd, Pez, etc), Coptic has earned a reputation for bridging the genre gap through his close collaborations with multi-instrumentalist and producer Jon Reichardt.
The Sound of Wings 2 (Acoustic) is a beautifully textured release offering glimmers of roots and folk influences. Enormously varied instrumentation including everything from saxophone to hammond organ weaves a backdrop for Coptic’s pointed social commentaries (Liquid Company) and honest and self revealing lyricism (I Hate Sleep, Fight For The Fame).
The first single from the release I Hate Sleep features Brisbane indie-folk sweet hearts Charlie Mayfair, fresh from winning a spot on Brisbane’s massive Sunset Sounds festival the group lend their evocative harmonies and crooning vocals to the summery, dub style beat. A deep grooving bassline and syncopated guitar rhythm set the foundations for an endearingly clever and self critical offering, culminating in a multi-layered and pounding vocal medley. Stand out track Liquid Company boasts probably one of the best instrumental builds ever featured in an Australian hip-hop song, soaring saxophone bursts sweep over an ever building round of vocal harmonies provided by Jon Reichardt and thick keys and creative three part harmonies sift through breaks in the action.
The release will be launched through a FREE, three week acoustic residency at Sydney’s popular Oxford Art Factory on the 11th, 18th and 25th of February, before being taken across the country in a limited run of dates at intimate venues. Coptic Soldier will be joined in the residency by stage partner Phatchance, Charlie Mayfair and Sydney local Atlas B Salvensen.
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