Capes

British indie rock band the Capes came together in South London at Goldsmiths College, where Kris Barratt (vocals/guitar) began rehearsing with Richard Gladman (keyboards/guitar), bringing in Rupert Cresswell (bass) and auditioning various drummers before settling on Rupert Phelps. This four-piece began playing out, later adding Cresswell's younger brother Nick Cresswell (guitar/keyboards) to finalize the lineup of the Capes as a quintet. In 2005, the Capes attracted the attention of American label Hard Soul Records, which released their U.S. debut EP, Taste (containing previously released U.K. singles), on July 12. Favorable radio attention and an appearance at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York in September prefaced a two-month U.S. tour, setting up the release of the band's debut album, Hello, on February 28, 2006. © William Ruhlmann /TiVo