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The Utopia Strong

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The Utopia Strong
The Utopia Strong performing at Krankenhaus 2023
The Utopia Strong performing at Krankenhaus 2023
Background information
OriginGlastonbury, England
Genres
Years active2018–present
Labels
Members

The Utopia Strong are a British electronic band formed in Glastonbury, England in 2018. The group consists of Steve Davis, Kavus Torabi, and Michael J. York. They released their self-titled debut album in 2019 and their second, International Treasure, in 2022.

History

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The Utopia Strong originated from an experimental improvised session in Glastonbury on the evening of 2 January 2018.[2][3] Steve Davis, a six-time World Snooker Champion, was recognised for his love of progressive rock, soul and jazz-funk. He booked the French progressive rock band Magma to play three sold-out nights at the Bloomsbury Theatre and later became a DJ with the radio show Interesting Alternative on Phoenix FM.[4] At a Magma gig, Davis bonded with Iranian-born musician Kavus Torabi,[5] a storied guitarist with Gong and Cardiacs.[4] Davis and Torabi met Coil's Michael J. York after DJing at the 2017 Glastonbury Festival, and the three decided to form a band.[4]

The Utopia Strong released their self-titled debut album on 13 September 2019 on Rocket Recordings.[6][7] The album features a guest vocal appearance by Mediæval Bæbes' Katharine Blake.[8]

The band performing in Cambridge in 2023.

The Utopia Strong's second album International Treasure was released in 2022.[9] The Quietus listed the album at number 25 on their Albums Of The Year So Far Chart 2022.[10] The band appeared on BBC Breakfast on 25 March 2023.[11] They supported Steve Hillage's 2023 UK tour, with Torabi also a member of Hillage's backing band.[12][13]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • The Utopia Strong (2019)
  • International Treasure (2022)

Live albums

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  • Alphabet of the Magi (2020)[14]
  • Dreamsweeper (2020)[15]
  • Ninth Art (2021)[16]
  • Gyre (2023)[17]
  • The BBC Sessions (2024)[18]

Singles

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  • "Brainsurgeons 3" (2019, The Utopia Strong)[19]
  • "Konta Chorus" (2019, The Utopia Strong)[20]
  • "Strange Altar" (2019)[21]
  • "Shepherdess" (2022, International Treasure)[22]
  • "Castalia" (2022, International Treasure)[23]
  • "Gatekeeper" (2023, Golden Lion Sounds)[24]
  • "Lamp of Glory" (2024, The BBC Sessions)[25]

Remixes

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  • "Rechargeable" (2019, with Snapped Ankles)[26]

Appearances

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  • "Harpies" (2023, Rocket Recordings: Launch300)[27][28]

References

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  1. ^ "Kavus torabi". Prog Magazine. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024 – via Readly.
  2. ^ "The Utopia Strong and Dextro at The Cluny, Newcastle". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  3. ^ Trenwith, Roger (1 October 2019). "The Utopia Strong – The Utopia Strong [plus interview with Steve Davis]". The Progressive Aspect. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Buchanan, John D. "The Utopia Strong Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  5. ^ Smith, Aidan (4 April 2021). "Steve Davis: From snooker to DJ to having his own prog rock band. Interesting!". The Scotsman. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  6. ^ Matt, Butler (15 September 2019). "Snooker legend Steve Davis and his 'surreal journey' into releasing album of synth music on vinyl". i. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  7. ^ Ewing, Jerry (11 June 2019). "Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi release first new music from Utopia Strong". Prog. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  8. ^ Martin, Liam. "The Utopia Strong - The Utopia Strong Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  9. ^ Hughes, Rob (10 June 2022). "The Utopia Strong - International Treasure: "a triumph of foraging spontaneity"". Prog. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  10. ^ Turner, Luke (4 July 2022). "The Quietus Albums Of The Year So Far Chart 2022". The Quietus. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  11. ^ Askew, Robin (31 March 2023). "Review: The Steve Hillage Band/The Utopia Strong, O2 Academy". Bristol24/7. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  12. ^ Ewing, Jerry (7 September 2022). "Steve Hillage announces 2023 UK tour". Prog. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  13. ^ Dickson, Jamie (18 April 2023). "Six-string psychonaut Kavus Torabi on the mythology of Gong, Hotel California moments with Steve Hillage and his epiphany with scales". Guitarist. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  14. ^ The Utopia Stong (13 February 2020). "Alphabet of the Magi". Bandcamp. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  15. ^ The Utopia Stong (14 July 2020). "Dreamsweeper". Bandcamp. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  16. ^ The Utopia Stong (4 December 2020). "Ninth Art". Bandcamp. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  17. ^ The Utopia Stong (3 February 2023). "Gyre". Bandcamp. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  18. ^ Ewing, Jerry (1 February 2024). "The Utopia Strong announce new BBC Sessions album". Prog. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  19. ^ Paxton, Gillian (11 June 2019). "LISTEN: Debut Single From The Utopia Strong". The Quietus. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  20. ^ Clarke, Patrick (13 August 2019). "Watch: New Utopia Strong Video". The Quietus. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  21. ^ Edwards, Briony (6 December 2019). "The Utopia Strong's track by track guide to their self-titled new album". Louder. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  22. ^ Ewing, Jerry (8 March 2022). "The Utopia Strong return with video for Shepherdess". Prog. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  23. ^ Ewing, Jerry (10 May 2022). "The Utopia Strong release video for optimistic new single Castalia". Prog. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  24. ^ "The Utopia Strong x DBH - GLS 014 | The Utopia Strong x DBH". Golden Lion Sounds. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023 – via Bandcamp.
  25. ^ Ewing, Jerry (2 February 2024). "New prog music you have to hear from The Pineapple Thief, The Utopia Strong, The C Sides Project and more in Prog's Tracks Of The Week". Prog. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Rechargeable (The Utopia Strong Remix) | Snapped Ankles, The Utopia Strong". Bandcamp. 20 October 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  27. ^ Kilkenny, James (29 June 2023). "Rocket Recordings: Launch300 – Album Review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  28. ^ Bočev, Danijela (30 June 2023). "Features | Reissue Of The Week | Compilation Of The Week: Rocket Recordings 25th Anniversary Launch300". The Quietus. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
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