Jep and Dep

Initially starting out as an antifolk band the duo quickly fell into the traditional folk music genre, flirting with equal parts alt-country to equal part ethereal folk.[4] Their sound is characterised by Cassar's beautiful torch singer vocal style, coupled with Cross's weary, Johnny Cash-esque gravely vocal tone.[5] Songs are performed live with just an acoustic guitar that Cross plays – reminiscent of Neil Young Live at Massey Hall.[6] The band adopt a Film Noir look- all videos and photos are in black and white. They have also been invited to and perform with musicians such as Johnny Marr from The Smiths,[6] Gruff Rhys from Super Furry Animals, Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses,[7] Lindi Ortega , Deertick , Mia Dyson,[8] Jen Cloher with Courtney Barnett and recently Mirel Wagner[9] in Helsinki, Finland, Aldous Harding,[10] Jessica Pratt, the Black Eyed Susan's, Hugo Race and Low.

Jep and Dep's debut album Word Got Out was independently released by the duo to critical acclaim in late October 2014,[11] receiving 4 out of 5 reviews in both Rolling Stone[12] and The Sydney Morning Herald[13] "Come on like folk-noir variations on Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue's classic Where the Wild Roses Grow, ballads with the right balance of creeping menace and painful regret".[13]

The album was recorded minimally- a nod to 60's folk recording techniques at Damien Gerards studios in Sydney by Peter Holz then produced by Darren Cross at Bernstein Studios for five months.]]

In August 2017, Jep and Dep released their second album THEY'VEBEENCALLED on their own No Drums Records, to critical acclaim.[14] Rolling Stone magazine said "Channelling Tom Waits, Scott Walker and Serge Gainsbourg and THEY’VEBEENCALLED is supremely atmospheric, and revels in the shadows". The album's main themes deal with the all encompassing gentrification of the modern world- specifically Sydney and Berlin, unrequited love and the passing of loved ones.[15][16] The album was recorded and produced by Darren Cross between the hours of 12 am and 5 am as next to his studio there was on going renovations happening, giving the album an overall eerie atmosphere.[17][18] The duo have boycotted popular streaming services as it "devaluates their music". The album is only available on the bandcamp platform.[18]

• Official website