Melbourne’s Children of the Wave are a gentle collision between sound and melody, a collaboration between experimental noise artist Mark Rayner who at the time was crashing skulls in wrong rock outfit Front of Van and folk singer Dan Flynn who records under the moniker Major Chord. They began playing together in 2006 almost as a dare because it seemed ridiculous, yet the results surpassed even the duos expectations, and it quickly became apparent that they’d stumbled across something special.

In 2008 they released their debut album Carapace on Melbourne’s Sensory Projects, nine fragile experiments in pop, ethnic-melds, near-folk, found sounds, and field recordings, blended from the likes of Balinese, Kakadu and Korean field recordings, Kora, violin, harmonium, piano accordion and acoustic guitar. It resulted in a beguiling slightly surreal yet highly melodic blend of sound and music. Inpress called it a ‘strange and remarkable album, one that’s every bit as beautiful as a burst of sunshine on a winter landscape.’ Whilst Cyclic Defrost suggested that ‘for all the languid moments Carapace seeps into the real world and exudes a vibrancy that’s simply astonishing to behold.’

Adorned in their signature cult like robes the duo have since developed a live performance that exists alongside Carapace, with the tunes developed and re-imagined for the live setting. They’ve played with kora players, congas and a revolving cast of guest drummers, even the audience are handed shakers.  ‘They’ve slowly learnt to trust in the innate beauty of their music,’ offered Mess and Noise, ‘reaching that perfect balance in which their slow-burning, earthy songs are as melodic as they are atmospheric.’

Immediately making a huge impression in our circle, with their hushed epic of an album, Carapace on the superb Sensory Projects label, we felt making a connection was necessary. After some good hammering of the details, they are slated to appear on a couple of upcoming releases from the tribe to be announced soon.  On the player above is a link button to purchase the Carapace album.  If you are unfamiliar with their work, rest assured these guys are classic storytellers, making the payoff clear as day when listened to from start to finish.