The Draft EP is the debut release by Bristol-based band The Nova Saints

The Nova Saints

The Nova Saints are a Bristol-based band whose musical style is most commonly referred to as 'shoegazing' and 'psychedelic'.The band are currently recording their debut album, scheduled for a 2011 release.-Spencer :...

, released on 28th May 2007. The EP was limited to 500 copies on its initial release but has been re-released twice since, most recently by Northern Star Records

Northern Star Records

Northern Star Records is a UK based record label founded by Scott Causer and Andy Oliver in 2005. The label launched in March 2006 with their first release, the double CD compilation Psychedelica Vol. 1...

 in a limited run of 200, to mark The Nova Saints’ signing to the label.

Recording

The majority of The Draft EP was recorded at Moles Studio in Bath and is made up of tracks that were originally intended as demos. The tracks "The Draft" and "Slow Down" were recorded live in one take, though there were some overdubs on "The Draft".

Speaking to The Blog That Celebrates Itself in 2009 about the EP, singer Steve Waterhouse said: “We were only just finding our feet as a recording band during that time - something we've become a lot better at, which I think will show on the next record. I think the fact that it was recorded live comes through and that’s something we’re all really pleased about. There's a looseness that you can only get from playing live.”

Release and reception

The Draft EP was released through Rough Trade Shops on the band’s own HR4 Records on 28th May 2007. The EP received favorable reviews with The Organ

Organ (magazine)

Organ is an independent music magazine based in London, covering a variety of rock, alternative, punk, progressive, metal and experimental music. The magazine was founded in 1986 as a handmade fanzine and has evolved many times over the last 20 years...

commenting "You get a glorious hint of how good they are live here with this delicious four track EP... they are absolutely brilliant at what they do... one hell of a fine band, one hell of a fine EP" and God Is In The TV calling it "The kind of delicious shoegaze/psych-rock that once made Ride

Ride (band)

Ride were a British alternative rock band that formed in 1988 in Oxford, England, consisting of Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Laurence "Loz" Colbert, and Steve Queralt. The band were initially part of the "shoegazing" scene. Following the break-up of the band in 1996, members moved on to various other...

 and early Verve

The Verve

The Verve were an English rock band formed in 1989 in Wigan by lead vocalist Richard Ashcroft, guitarist Nick McCabe, bassist Simon Jones, and drummer Peter Salisbury. Guitarist and keyboardist Simon Tong later became a member. Beginning with a psychedelic sound indebted to shoegazing and space...

so viscerally thrilling."

Track listing

CD HR4001

1. "The Draft" – 2:59
2. "Slow Down" – 4:47
3. "High Roller" – 3:22
4. "Far Out (Nick McCabe Remix)" – 5:42
   • The track "High Roller" appears on the Northern Star Records compilation Psychedelica Three.