Italian "post-rock" trio Ultraviolet Makes Me Sick formed in the spring of 1999 in and, after a period of line-up turbulence and a final decision to proceed on an instrumental basis, recorded a pair of CD-R EPs that ended up being officially released by Camera Obscura in 2001 as the "Soundproof" CD. The band is drummer Davide Impellizzeri, guitarist Gianmaria Aprile, and Alberto Anadone who plays guitarist or bass according to the composition. Starting from the premise of guitar-led rock, the angular and melodic compositions on their debut release created their own cinematic language. In their words: "We play instrumental music for life, capturing harmonies in film-like tunes, inspired by images and sensations in order to recreate particular feelings we have inside". They play extensively in Italy, with latest dates to be found on their web site.

2003 saw the band busy recording a new album for Camera Obscura (and Urtovox in Italy): "…No freeway, no plan, no trees, no ghosts". Post-production, mixing, editing and mastering was entrusted to Fabio Magistrali who added a spatial quality to the record that is quite different to the live directness of "Soundproof". The record sees first UVMMS vocal tunes, gauzy skeins of melody and recitation courtesy of Andrea Ferraris, member of the bands Deep End and One by One We're All Becoming Shades.

For their second full-length release, Ultraviolet Makes Me Sick go well beyond their original sparse remit and provide the listener with an exquisitely detailed and textured canvas to project their dreams onto. A wider range of instruments has been used to flesh out sonic ideas, and they've moved to a more layered studio sound. Despite this more consciously crafted approach, the predominant mood is airy and spacious, with the dynamic of the recording process giving each instrument full weight. The light and jazzy vibe of the opening "This is the season for rest, she said" is reversed on itself for the quiet guitar fire and enigmatic vocals of "Counter-clockwise" and we think that the distance the band has travelled from its debut is evident from these opening tracks alone. Elsewhere, the beautiful structures and nuanced playing match the poetry of titles like "Intimacy is Jazz, Disturbance is Art", "Brothers Fallen near Allen" and "Hearts and Minds Out of Tune and Reversed". It all adds up to a work of great beauty and resonance.

...for lovers of Mogwai, Tortoise, Do Make Say Think.

"This is atmospheric and emotional soundtrack music, alternately dramatic or lulling." - Dream Magazine 

"Ultraviolet Makes Me Sick invites us along for an emotive and cinematic ride" - The Broken Face"

Three adorable Italian boys playing mellow instrumental post-rock." - Aquarius Newsletter

Other resources:

MP3s on this Page

Band's web site