The Utopia Strong Explained

The Utopia Strong
Landscape:yes
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Glastonbury, England
Years Active:2018–present
Current 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

The Utopia Strong originated from an experimental improvised session in Glastonbury on the evening of 2 January 2018.[1] [2] 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.[3] At a Magma gig, Davis bonded with Iranian-born musician Kavus Torabi,[4] a storied guitarist with Gong and Cardiacs. Davis and Torabi met Coil's Michael J. York after DJing at the 2017 Glastonbury Festival, and the three decided to form a band.

The Utopia Strong released their self-titled debut album on 13 September 2019 on Rocket Recordings.[5] [6] The album features a guest vocal appearance by Mediæval Bæbes' Katharine Blake.[7] The Utopia Strong's second album International Treasure was released in 2022.[8] The Quietus listed the album at number 25 on their Albums Of The Year So Far Chart 2022.[9] The band appeared on BBC Breakfast on 25 March 2023.[10] They supported Steve Hillage's 2023 UK tour, with Torabi also a member of Hillage's backing band.[11] [12]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

Remixes

Appearances

External links

Notes and References

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

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