Oktoba is the solo project of Brighton-based singer-songwriter Chris Athorne.
Oktoba – Smoke Signals
The debut 10-track album from Oktoba ‘Smoke Signals’ sounds like the soundtrack to an Appalachian Trail adventure, it’s breezy Americana, dreamy folk, and good honest story-telling all tied together by producer Tim Bidwell. (Kate Walsh, Jack Watts, Fink) This full-length album follows his 2014 debut ‘Tales and Shadows’ EP which was widely supported by BBC Introducing.
This year, Oktoba has performed all around the UK (Together The People Festival, The Great Escape, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club) as well as shows in America (Rockwood Music Hall in NYC and Sofar Sounds in Chicago). Chris continues to be motivated to reach new listeners. ‘As songwriters’ he says ‘we are given the intimate platform to describe our lives. It’s an amazing feeling when you perform away from home and your music is accepted by new audiences. I really try when writing, to write honestly, giving the listener something that feels familiar and something that they can relate to, no matter who they are or where they’re from.”
Lead single from the album is the beautiful ‘Tongue Tied.’
While some albums shout and scream for attention ‘Smoke Signals’ will gently win your heart with it’s consistency. This is an impressive and assured debut collection that deserves to soundtrack your next adventure.
If you live in the Cambridge (UK) area make sure you are on the guest-list for SOFAR Sounds on December 6th to catch Oktoba live.
