Lancaster funk band set to bow out on a high after gracing stages for almost a decade

It's the end of an era for one of Lancaster and Morecambe's funkiest bands.
CarpeCarpe
Carpe

Carpe will play their last ever show at The Yorkshire House in Lancaster next Friday, April 13. The six piece (photo above by Ruth Lochrie) have been gracing stages for almost 10 years now, and produced what I consider to be an almost flawless album – Risk It All – back in 2012.

Formed in 2009 and originally known as Carpe Diem, the band dropped the “day” (Diem) part of their Latin inspired name early on.

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Carpe simply means “sieze, enjoy, or make use of”, and it’s that idea running through their live and recorded music that has ensured a loyal fan base for all these years.

Born out to a large extent through More Music in Morecambe, the band - Ash Murphy on vocals and beat boxing, Frenchie on vocals and guitar, Jon Moore on lead guitar, Graham Wynne on bass and synths, Rachel Parsons on drums and backing vocals and David Walker on percussion and backing vocals - have always given it their all, creating mosh pits and impromptu dance offs wherever they play.

Risk It All is jam packed with different styles. From the contemporary, poetic, forward thinking rapping of Ash Murphy, to the soaring blues guitar parts via the African bongo beats and husky, melodic blues tones of Frenchie the album takes you on a journey through rock, hip-hop, blues and funk with flair and charisma.

At The Yorkshire House show n, they’ve pulled together a fantastic supporting cast to see them off too. Lancaster’s Divide and Conker, Preston’s Templebys, Cumbria’s Bad Transmission, and Lancaster’s Mirror and Falling Free will pay their respects before Carpe play their parting shot.

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The band said: “Every member of Carpe would like to thank all the fans and supporters of our efforts over the years, and would love the opportunity to thank you all in person at the Yorkshire House on April 13. We are all still great friends and I’m sure there will be a number of collaborative projects in the future, but for now, seize the night, Carpe Noctem.” Entry is £5, doors 7pm.