Artist description Dark torch songs brought to uncertain life by delicate female vocals that awaken the senses. The songs weave tales over ethereal yet hauntingly minimal atmospherics.

Music Style ethereal

Musical Influences Cocteau Twins, Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Chameleons

Similar Artists Cocteau Twins, Portishead

Artist History The latest band to emerge from the esoteric label Middle Pillar Presents is The Mirror Reveals, consisting of songwriter/lyricist James Babbo and vocalist Kit Messick. Babbo, one of the founders of the Middle Pillar Presents label, had worked as a songwriter and singer for various other bands. For the What is Eternal compilation, he wrote Let All The Poets' Sing as The Mirror Reveals, the name being a reference to Galadriel, the elf queen from JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The song, featuring Alexandra Phillips on lead and back up vocals, was a critical success from many reviews of the comp, prompting a follow up. Alexandra was unavailable and that was when Kit Messick stepped in. From 1997-1999 Kit sang for the New York band, Unto Ashes. Both Kit's and the band's first recorded appearance was for Middle Pillar's What Is Eternal comp, just a couple spots away from the band she would eventually be joining, also giving their debut recording appearance. After leaving the group, she met Babbo who had been looking for a new singer. Over the course of 1999, the duo worked on Frames of Teknicolor. The album draws upon Kit's cabaret background incorporating a torch song style that effectively uses her sultry voice to its fullest. The raw recorded tracks were mixed and sculpted into their final form by Bryin Dall and Derek Rush of A Murder of Angels. The result is a dark cinematic space, created by effects and electronics, and inhabited with warm melodies. Mark Steiner of the NYC based Piker Ryan's Folly appears on guest vocals for The Undying Man. His performance with Kit shines on the fairy tale, which is inspired by Tolkien's poem, 'Beren and Tinúviel'.

Group Members Kit Messick: vocalsJames Babbo: music

Instruments guitars, piano, drum loops, samples

Albums Frames of Teknicolor, What is Eternal comp

Press Reviews The Mirror Reveals' music is highly influenced by ethereal 4AD bands such as the Cocteau Twins, but it is not a mere clone of their sound, unlike some of the lesser bands on other, more well-known labels. The band consists of James Babbo (songwriter and musician) and Kit Messick (singer), the latter formerly of Unto Ashes. Bryin Dall and Derek Rush, both well-known members of the NYC dark music scene, also contribute to shaping the sound of the music. The songs that feature a mix of female and male vocals add variety, something that is often lacking in this genre. A good debut which should be appreciated by all lovers of ethereal music with female vocals.RENÉE ROSEN - 22 April 2000 http://www.fluxeuropa.com. The Mirror Reveals is the duo of James Babbo (one of the founding members of the Middle Pillar Presents label) and Kit Messick. Musically, the eight tracks on this fine release reside in a place in which time stands still, and the possibility of fantastical intrusions (what secrets does the mirror reveal?) is ever present, but always beyond lucid confirmation. As decreed by the lovely, shimmering dewdrop, morning sun slicing through the trees, finger-picked guitar lines, the music is swathed in a mood of beauty. -JC Smith, Outburn MagazineThe Mirror Reveals release of "Frames of Tekicolor is a classic etherealcollage of beautiful delicate male and female vocals surrounded by darkwhirling guitar melodies. Thisis a very inspiring album for all fans of Ethereal music and sure will dowonders for some of us.-Sideline Magazine(www.side-line.com) in our July Issue 32. Julie Johnson- gothgirl

Location New York City, NY - USA

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