Jep and Dep
Jep and Dep supporting Johnny Marr from the Smiths, Oxford Art Factory 15 January 2014
Jep and Dep supporting Johnny Marr from the Smiths, Oxford Art Factory 15 January 2014
Background information
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresFolk
Years active2012 (2012)–present
Members
  • Jessica Cassar
  • Darren Cross
Websitejepanddep.com

Jep and Dep are an Australian folk noir acoustic duo from Sydney, composed of Jessica Cassar and Darren Cross.

Formed in 2012, the duo have released one EP Through The Night (2012), and two albums Word Got Out (2014), receiving 4 out of 5 reviews from The Sydney Morning Herald and Rolling Stone[1][2] and THEY'VEBEENCALLED (2017). Their music is often compared to Lee Hazlewood / Nancy Sinatra and Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue on Murder Ballads.[1][3][4]

History

Initially starting out as an antifolk band the duo quickly fell into the traditional folk music genre, flirting with equal parts alt-country to equal part ethereal folk.[4] Their sound is characterised by Cassar's beautiful torch singer vocal style, coupled with Cross's weary, Johnny Cash-esque gravely vocal tone.[5] Songs are performed live with just an acoustic guitar that Cross plays – reminiscent of Neil Young Live at Massey Hall.[6] The band adopt a Film Noir look- all videos and photos are in black and white. They have also been invited to and perform with musicians such as Johnny Marr from The Smiths,[6] Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals, Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses,[7] Lindi Ortega , Deertick , Mia Dyson,[8] Jen Cloher with Courtney Barnett and recently Mirel Wagner[9] in Helsinki, Finland, Aldous Harding,[10] Jessica Pratt, the Black Eyed Susan's, Hugo Race and Low.

Word Got Out

Jep and Dep's debut album Word Got Out was independently released by the duo to critical acclaim in late October 2014,[11] receiving 4 out of 5 reviews in both Rolling Stone[12] and The Sydney Morning Herald[13] "Come on like folk-noir variations on Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's classic Where the Wild Roses Grow, ballads with the right balance of creeping menace and painful regret".[13]

The album was recorded minimally - a nod to 1960s folk recording techniques - at Damien Gerards studios in Sydney by Peter Holz, then produced by Darren Cross at Bernstein Studios for five months.

they'vebeencalled

In August 2017, Jep and Dep released their second album THEY'VEBEENCALLED on their own No Drums Records, to critical acclaim.[14] Rolling Stone said "Channelling Tom Waits, Scott Walker and Serge Gainsbourg and THEY’VEBEENCALLED is supremely atmospheric, and revels in the shadows". The album's main themes deal with the all encompassing gentrification of the modern world- specifically Sydney and Berlin, unrequited love and the passing of loved ones.[15] The album was recorded and produced by Darren Cross between the hours of 12 am and 5 am as next to his studio there was on going renovations happening, giving the album an overall eerie atmosphere.[16][17] The duo have boycotted popular streaming services as it "devaluates their music". The album is only available on the bandcamp platform.[17]

Cassar issued her debut solo album, The Space Between, in 2020, which was recorded with Cross at his home studio, Bernstein Studios from March to August in that year.[18] Rolling Stone Australia's Tyler Jenke declared, "[she] uses her ethereal voice to create something not only unique, but versatile, with the otherworldly nature of her stunning vocals at times turning the record that feels wholly instrumental, before her poetic lyrics again come into focus and work their magic."[18]

Discography

Albums

  • THEY'VEBEENCALLED (2017)
  • Word Got Out (2014)

EPs

  • Through The Night (2012)

Singles

  • "Helpless City" (2017)
  • "Cruel Moon" (2017)
  • "My Berlin" (2016)
  • "Tears in the Rain" (2015)
  • "Babe Come Down" (2014)
  • "Granted" (2014)
  • "Confide in Me" (2013)
  • "Ain't Coming Back" (2012)
  • "The Fall of the Leaves Never Cease" (2012)

References

  1. 1 2 Bernard Zuel (6 November 2014). "The Shortlist album reviews: November 7–13". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. ↑ "Rolling Stone Australia". Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2014. Archived 17 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "Lost Ragas Factory Floor Chris Familton ♫ theMusic.com.au – Australia's Premier Music News & Reviews Website". The Music.
  4. 1 2 "Jep And Dep | Beat Magazine". Beat.com.au. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: Jep and Dep – Word Got Out". Doubtful Sounds. 28 October 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Johnny Marr Oxford Art Factory Chris Familton ♫ theMusic.com.au – Australia's Premier Music News & Reviews Website". The Music.
  7. ↑ "NEWS: Jep and Dep announce debut album, tour and new single". Doubtful Sounds. 29 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Live Review: Mia Dyson + Jep & Dep – The Factory Floor, Sydney (03.04.14)". the AU review.
  9. ↑ "the AU interview: Jep and Dep (Sydney) talk folk noir, single launch and the big trip to Europe!". the AU review. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "SPUNK PRESENTS 'ALDOUS HARDING' at The Vanguard, Thursday 13 August". Thevanguard.com.au. 13 August 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: Jep and Dep – Word Got Out – Doubtful Sounds". Doubtfulsounds.net. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  12. ↑ "Rolling Stone Australia – Jep and Dep – Word Got Out". Rollingstoneaus.com. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2015. Archived 17 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  13. 1 2 Bernard Zuel (6 November 2014). "The Shortlist album reviews: November 7–13". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  14. ↑ "Rolling Stone Australia - Album Review: Jep and Dep - THEY'VEBEENCALLED". Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  15. ↑
  16. ↑
  17. 1 2 "Jep and Dep Are Battling for the Little, Indie Guy". Scenestr.com.au.
  18. 1 2 Jenke, Tyler (2 October 2020). "Jessica's The Space Between Is a Masterclass of Ethereal Brilliance". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
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