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A progressive, electronically charged and largely intrumental set-up may not be what you would expect from a band with such a nice name as A Cup Of Tea.

The band really does offer a new blend that will wet the tastebuds of fans who like electronica synthesisers and vocoder-style voice sampling.

Based in Liverpool and Gloucester, the band's three members are Stu Cook, Gary Salomon and Joshua Davenport, who somehow manage to produce an "organic" sound through "digital music".

In a style not unlike Aphex Twin with a hint of Múm , their guitar melodies are layered with digital drums and a variety of electronics.

Almost paradoxically their name is a celebration of the traditional English beverage and resulted from the copious amounts they consumed while creating their first tunes.

They believe it is best served from a pot, blending two regular tea bags with an earl grey variety. As a great advocate of tea myself I prefer to stick to one variety and not to mix drinks.

Among their notable tunes are the chilled out Imagine This Was All Purple, and Blue Red Box Black not to mention Everything Is Invisible, which is reminiscent of Radiohead at their most experimental.

For those looking for something a little different on Merseyside's music scene and who would like to sample a live show consisting mainly of laptops and synthesisers, the band are playing Korova in Liverpool on Friday, July 17 at 8pm.

To hear their music visit their MySpace here.

With a name that doesn't easily roll off the tongue, These Matches Won't Light In The Damp, is not your average unsigned solo artist.

Real name, Dominic P Miller, the musician offers a dark, acoustic guitar ensemble with a finger-picking style similar to Jose Gonzales and a melancholic vocal, evidently influenced by Elliott Smith as well as Joy Division.

The artist is based in Kent and the project came to life at the end of January, resulting in the EP.

Among his influences are Mogwai, Godspeed You Black Emperor as well as Slowdive and if this is your kind of music, this New Age Ambient offering could be for you.

The new EP, Throw My Ashes Into The Fire, comprises a set of ten accoustic songs. One of favourites on there is I'll Make You Love Me, which combines a haunting voice mixed with a fervent finger-picking style. The eerie final song of the EP, End Days, is also worth a listen.

To listen to the music of These Matches Won't Light In The Damp visit the MySpace page here