The Portraits' sound is a huge melting pot of layered vocals, acoustics, loops and world sounds. Many say it is easy on the ears, but not all agree on its ingredients. Thanks to the wonders of music reviews websites, hundreds of listeners have sent in the recipe of influences: 1) Boil one set of Ben Folds or Damon Albarn vocals 2) Gently stir in multi-layered Mamas and Papas harmonies to taste 3) Reduce the heat 4) Pour in a generous helping of McCartney and Brian Wilson tunes, and a little Yusuf for flavour 5) Fold in one whole Beautiful South greatest hits CD 6) Allow to cool, and serve immediately with some typically English lyrical irony. The band is built around a songwriting partnership we set up ten years ago, based currently in Western Europe. After a decade writing and performing together, and the release to critical acclaim of our highly personal 2006 album "Kin" which reflected on family and loss, we are returning in late 2008 with the brighter, more colourful follow-up, "Timescape". This blends many of the musical elements of its predecessor with an electronic worldiness as instilled by South African studio wizard Simon "Fuzzy" Ratcliffe, who performed the final mixes and mastering. Expect cellos, giant African percussion troups, ethnic flutes...and just the odd smattering of Bristolian trumpetting as provided by renowned brass man and Portishead side-kick Pete Judge.