Emerging Artist:

The Duke Spirit

Published June 26, 2008

London-based artists The Duke Spirit is a quintet consisting of Liela Moss (vocals), Luke Ford (guitars), Dan Higgins (guitars), Toby Butler (bass), and Olly Betts (drums). Moss and Ford formed the band when they were studying art at Cheltenham, and released their first EP "Darling You're Mean" in early 2003. It took almost two years, and the folding of a record label, for them to put out their first full-length album, Cuts Across the Land.

The band The Duke Spirit.

Now, with the release of their second full-length, Neptune, The Duke Spirit has continued to grow and develop as independent artists. From the opening chant of "I Do Believe" to the finale "Sovereign," Moss' crystal pure voice elevates the smooth and flowing music. "Sadness can be a great trigger for the imagination," she notes, "through it you can reach a sweet center, a stronger core, which itself feels a bit like love." That's a good description of the album, too.

After touring extensively throughout the United States, the band ended up recording the songs on their new album with producer Chris Goss in the desert. Toby Butler says, "Last year we worked really hard, driving ourselves in a van across America with no money. We played anywhere that would have us. When you've survived that, you feel indestructible." Olly the drummer adds, "Recording out in the desert influenced us, but it didn't inspire these songs. That had all come before."

The Duke Spirit releases Neptune.

Neptune has a number of tracks with a watery theme. "Quite unexpectedly, water seeped into lots of my phrases and titles," says Moss. "I feel like going to the desert was the only rightful place to take these images of submersion, sea gods and ships. I wanted to dry out in the heat of the sun and start anew."

Look for Neptune in stores now, and check for The Duke Spirit videos on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace!