Minotaur Shock

Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist/programmer David Edwards, aka Minotaur Shock, creates pretty, folk-tinged electronica along the lines of Four Tet and Boards of Canada. His debut EP, 2000's Bagatelle, was one of the first releases from the U.K. indie electronic imprint Melodic; the following year's Motoring Britain EP and full-length Chiff-Chaffs & Willow Warblers reflected the move from the colder, harder-edged IDM of the '90s to the softer, more organic style of the early 2000s. 2002 saw the release of the Rockpoolin' EP, which introduced a more melodic take on the Minotaur Shock sound, the 2003 compilation Rinse collected Edwards' vinyl-only EPs onto CD. Minotaur Shock moved to 4AD for 2005's Vigo Bay EP and Maritime full-length, both of which were influenced by Edwards' love of the seaside and sleek '80s pop like Steely Dan and Hall & Oates. Amateur Dramatics, which Edwards described as a darker, more personal effort than his previous work, was released digitally by 4AD in summer 2008; Audio Dregs gave the album a physical release the following winter. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide