Review: Tony Soprano Band - Downtempo 1 (Dune Castle)

Tony Soprano might not be singing from the usual songsheet but if you're after Stereolab, DJ Shadow, Boards of Canada and late-'90s / early-2000s electronica inspriation, this is the 'Downtempo 1' you need! 

We know from  Cantrips' 'From A Darebin Cave' (see review HERE) that the bright sparks at Dune Castle Records so when label boss Patrick Ryan suggested, "rather than building downtempo music piece by piece through programming, he wanted to capture it happening live, with a five-piece group guided only by loose sonic direction and feel".

And the results of this live improvisation by Bringing together Lucky Pereira (drums), Robert Downey (samplers, drum machine) and Winton Findlay (synthesizers) can vary between dream Kraftwerk Balaeric ('Spyro Theme') to Surprise Chef / Karate Boogaloo cinematic styles ('Let's Get One More' and the pacey operner, 'Profesional Athletics'.

I like the ideal that "the music resists climax, instead favouring sustained atmosphere and feel" as a modern ambience with groove.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Downtempo 1 | Tony Soprano Band

Artist: Tony Soprano Band

Title: Downtempo 1

Release date: 22nd May, 2026

Label : Dune Castle

Catalog Number :  DCAS008

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Cantrips - From A Darebin Cave (Dune Castle Records)

You begin to wonder if there is anyone in the Naarm / Melbourne community that isn't a muscian as here's another one that's got a new album, Cantrips' 'From A Darebin Cave' and he's got some well known local residents to help out too!

Such as, Mr Bongo's new signing, Don Glori (see review HERE) and members of stalwarts Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo so together the sound like a folk-beat Nick Drake (Ed. prety good move) that really boarders further on the edge of Brazilian tropicalia and an Aussie Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst; especially the tracks that strongly feature the pedal steel, or even an acoustic Neil Young on a 'Coastal Soundtrack'.

That's quite a rich palette to play with on the eight tracks that, at times trips, out to the psychedelic in a chilled desert way.  

The highlight for me is the twang n' synth of 'See You Soon' but altogether this is a perfect 'summer sun' chill out material for meditation, a picnic or as a warm up for those Flying Mojito Bros. (see review HERE).

Artist: Cantips

Title:  From A Darebin Cave

Release date: 2nd May, 2025

Label : Dune Castle Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp