<img class="alignleft" title="Umpire" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/umpire.jpg" alt="Umpire" width="175" height="141" />Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce the signing of Perth’s widescreen indie-rock craftsmen <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/artists/umpire/">Umpire</a> to its roster of artists. Umpire combine sprawling indie-rock sounds with reflective melancholy, expertly wielding massive sun-drenched melodies, serpentine guitar parts and soaring vocals to spectacular effect. Australian audiences will be familiar with their debut single ‘Streamers’, which achieved widespread critical acclaim, national airplay and won WAM Song of the Year in 2009.

The founding members of Umpire (Geoff Symons, Simon Struthers and Michael Lake) have a long history in the Perth music scene, playing in many seminal progressive indie-rock bands, including Adam Said Galore, O and Hidden Shoal’s very own <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/project/mukaizake/">Mukaizake</a>, so it was a natural progression for the band to develop their live show by adding drummer, Josh Watkins. Performing the songs live has allowed the band to tour Australia and play with many of their musical heroes, including Stephen Malkmus, Built to Spill, Paul Dempsey, The Jezebels, Sugar Army, Jebediah, Love Of Diagrams, Dan Kelly, Bob Log III and Tame Impala.

Umpire’s debut Hidden Shoal release is single ‘Green Light District’, available as a free download on 19 April and launched in Perth on 23 April at Amplifier Bar. Umpire’s debut full-length album, <em>Now We’re Active,</em> is due for its Australian release on 2 June and worldwide release on 14 July. The Australian album launch will take place in Perth at the Rosemount on the 4th of June.