"Sounds like: Escapists, Oh Wonder, Of Monsters And Men, Yoke Lore" Indie Shuffle
"New cut Alice epitomises their journey. Downcast synth-pop that contains an inner glow, it owes its inspiration to an inspirational true story." CLASH
"The song is percussive and guitar heavy, but also harkens back to the band’s folky roots by incorporating strong harmonies and a thoughtful narrative. Based on Alice, a 92 year-old patient Adam worked with, the story meditates on losing a loved one and the power of perseverance." The Wild Honey Pie
Australian duo, Lyon Apprentice have learnt to turn places into sounds. From creaky, howling folk music to emotional dream-pop, LA manage to distil the reminiscences of their changing homes into an ever-evolving, and carefully selected, back-catalogue of songs. Growing up in the sweltering bushland of Northern Queensland, brothers Adam & Nathan Lyons began learning the piano from a young age. The boys relocated to the glittering shores of the Gold Coast during their high school years and have since spent the last two years living in Manchester, UK.
Writing acoustic tracks initially as a side project, LA brought 15 demos to Big Sister Studios in Cairns to work with producer Mark Myers (The Middle East, Emma Louise) in 2013. This two week recording session became LA’s debut EP, Be Honest, Be Wild, Be Free, which was mixed by Catherine Marks (Foals, Death Cab For Cutie, Local Natives) in London.
After having scored opening slots for Cub Sport, Big Scary & Bear's Den, LA released their first single ‘Beautiful Thought’. Momentum continued into follow-up tracks 'I Will Find You' & 'Be Careful' with airplay on Triple J, attention from online tastemakers and international showcases at Canadian Music Week & Music Matters in Singapore. Their debut EP was released via their own label 'Canvas Sounds' in April 2014, where they continued to work on other projects with various artists.
In early 2016, LA recorded current single 'Alice' - a tribute to a longtime friend and the husband she lost. The track was produced & mixed by Adam in their Manchester home studio and saw them shuffling off their folk roots and embracing synth-driven, percussive production. Playing rare shows during their time in the UK, they supported the Alavarez Kings, Causes & performed at Dot 2 Dot Festival.
In the final month of their UK tenure, LA returned to the studio to write and record new material. These songs are woven from memory and experience, the summation of two chaotic years spent in the motherland, and will be released in the not too distance future.
“They are creating an extremely refined version of indie folk that will appeal to fans of Daughter, Bon Iver and City and Coulour.” Happy
“The ambience found throughout Be Honest, Be Wild, Be Free is intoxicating, much like Jeff Buckley's Grace. But the vocals contained seem to fit snugly between Of Monsters and Men and Matt Corby” Blank
“Record of the Week” Amazing Radio
“Flooded with tracks of a mystic warmth and sheer melodic grace, the whole EP is a beautiful round up of what these guys are about. For fans of Bon Iver, Daughter and James Vincent McMorrow.” Fortitude Magazine