<img src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/apricot-rail.jpg" align="left" height="163" width="180" /><a href="http://music.hiddenshoal.com">Hidden Shoal Recordings</a> today announced the signing of Perth-based multi-instrumental pop quintet <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/project/apricot-rail/">Apricot Rail</a> to its roster of artists.

Most instrumental rock suggests the apocalypse is coming. If it is, Apricot Rail are too busy crafting beautiful lilting melodies to care. This Perth (Australia) quintet have the charm, humour and songwriting nous – and a killer live show – to re-ignite anyone’s belief in music’s subtle, giddy powers.

<em>“The might of, I dunno, Mogwai is still there, but the charm of Múm is also present. They paint mountains in broad strokes but afterwards they take time to put in Sherpas and goats partying on the cliff face. That’s how I like my monumental arms of guitar served up - gigantic but also tiny”</em> <strong>– Love Is My Velocity</strong>

In November 2008 the band headed into Kingdom studios under the guidance of Simon Struthers (Umpire, Adam Said Galore, Mukaizake) where the band recorded their soon to be released self-titled debut long player. Australian fans got a chance to taste some of the new album’s sublime wares when the Apricot Rail track ‘If You Can’t Join Them, Beat Them’ was released on the prestigious <a href="http://www.myspace.com/spunksinglesclub" target="_blank"><em>Spunk Singles Club</em></a> compilation album along with the likes of Leeder Cheetah, The Dead Sea and The Middle East. The band was also recently nominated for Favourite Newcomer in the 2009 Western Australian Music Industry Awards.

Hidden Shoal will release Apricot Rail’s self-titled debut album on the 4th of July, preceded by the single ‘Pouring Milk Out The Window’ on the 2nd of June. The band will be doing a run of shows in Perth throughout June and July to support the album.

Read a full <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/publicity/press-releases/HSR_Press_Release-Apricot_Rail_Signing.pdf">press release here</a> and check out the band's <a href="http://www.myspace.com/apricotrail" target="_blank">Myspace</a> for all gig details.