The Rayographs are Astrud Steehouder (Paper Dollhouse) on guitar and vocals, Jessamine Tierney on bass and vocals and Amy Hurst on drums and occasional vocals. The motivation that glues this band together has been the attempt to create a sound that satisfies a combined aesthetic; the intention to write songs that resonate. The songs are ideas-based: cropped observational narratives, stark impressions of strange histories, dark blue cinematic lynchian atmospherics cut with sharp drums and curious basslines. The combination of strong song-writing, dark landscapes and free vocals has led to comparisons with Patti Smith, The Breeders, Nick Cave and Life Without Buildings. November saw the release of their debut limited-edition hand-printed 7" single that was made Single of The Week by Organ, Normans Records and Piccadilly Records, with excellent reviews from Artrocker and The Stool Pigeon who described it as "a simmering blues tattoo enunciated like a hex and sharing not a little in common with Nick Cave's 'Tupelo.'" 2009 has been divided between writing an album and playing a succession of increasingly mesmeric live shows, casting a spell of voodoo garage in the UK, Paris and recently joint headlining the new band tent at Offset festival. They released their second highly acclaimed limited edition 7" "Francis" in July 2009 which saw frequent comparisons to the Pixies and early PJ Harvey, cementing their reputation as one of the most promising bands to emerge from the depths of London in a long time. The Rayographs are currently recording their debut album at NO Recording Studios with "Hollywood" John Hannon.
