Kinkajou - Candlelight & Scars [CD]

What's the band called? Kinkajou (after a member of the raccoon family, potos flavus, that lives in central and south America and which has a prehensile tail, sharp claws and can be vicious if given strong liquor) Who are the band members? Andy Chapman (guitars); Polly MacLean (vocals); Al Firrell (bass and cello), Sharon Forbes (violin). When was the band formed? March 2001, when Andy and Polly started writing and recording together. Al joined in June 2002 and Sharon in mid-2003. Any interesting factoids? Polly was conceived in Poland, born in Edinburgh and grew up on a small island off the west coast of Scotland. Andy has a fondness for owls. Al plays a mean cello as well as demonstrating mastery of the bass. Sharon can't eat capsicums. What's the music like? Haunting, spiky, melodic, Celtic noir. Beautiful melodies with intelligent, biting lyrics about love, death adventure and more. Think French chanson meets PJ Harvey snogging The Handsome Family in a back alley somewhere. Track record to date? 6 track CD 'Candlelight & Scars' released on own Happy Accident label December 2001. Radio session for Tom Robinson show on BBC 6 Music. 'Good Brother Bad Brother' from Candlelight & Scars selected for inclusion on new music sampler CD promoted across the USA by Indiego Promotions. Regular gigs around London since August 2001, including dates at the Borderline, 12 Bar Club, Kashmir Klub and Blackheath Halls. Recently starred at the inaugural whitelabel.com night at the Concorde 2, Brighton. Current status? New album 'Seeping Beauty' out in January 2005, also on Happy Accident Records, and attracting rave reviews from all who hear it. Promotional push at MIDEM 2005 and afterwards.