Black Country, New Road

Black Country, New Road (commonly abbreviated to BCNR or BC,NR) are an English rock band formed in Cambridgeshire in 2018, consisting of Tyler Hyde (bass), Lewis Evans (saxophone), Georgia Ellery (violin), May Kershaw (keys), Charlie Wayne (drums) and Luke Mark (guitar). The band's first two albums featured guitarist and lead vocalist Isaac Wood, who left the band in 2022.

For the English major road, see Black Country New Road.

Black Country, New Road
Black Country, New Road performing in 2020
Background information
OriginCambridgeshire, England
Genres
Years active2018–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteblackcountrynewroad.com
Members
  • Tyler Hyde
  • Lewis Evans
  • Georgia Ellery
  • May Kershaw
  • Charlie Wayne
  • Luke Mark
Past members
  • Isaac Wood

The band gained initial attention through debut singles "Athens, France" and "Sunglasses" in 2019, which combined features of experimental rock,[1] post-punk[2][3] and post-rock,[4] drawing comparisons to bands such as Slint and contemporaries Black Midi.[5] Their debut album For the First Time, released in 2021, received widespread critical acclaim, was nominated for the Mercury Prize and reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart. Four days before the release of their 2022 second album Ants from Up There, Wood left the band, citing mental health struggles.[6] The album received further critical acclaim and commercial success, debuting at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart.

History

2018–2021: Early career and For the First Time

Hyde, Evans, Ellery, Kershaw, Wayne and former vocalist/guitarist Isaac Wood, along with Connor Browne and Jonny Pyke, were members of Nervous Conditions, a Cambridge, UK-based band with dual drums and a similar, but more improvised sound, to Black Country, New Road. They formed in 2015 and recorded a full-length album in 2017, provisionally titled Zak's Anniversary. The album was shelved and remains officially unreleased. Following multiple allegations of sexual assault against Browne, Nervous Conditions split in early 2018.[7]

The ensemble, without Browne and Pyke, reconvened soon after as Black Country, New Road, a six-piece named after a road in the West Midlands in England,[8] which they came up with after utilising Wikipedia's 'random article' button. They performed several live shows and gained a small level of notoriety in the underground scene in London. Their debut single, "Athen's, France" [sic], released on 18 January 2019, and was pressed on a limited run of 250 7-inch singles via Speedy Wunderground.[9]

Black Country, New Road gained its seventh member, Luke Mark, between the release of "Athens, France" and their second single, "Sunglasses". This second single released on 25 July 2019, via Blank Editions, and had three different 7-inch pressings: the first was limited to 500 copies and had a unique picture assembled onto the cover by the band themselves, the second limited to 250 with the cover art featuring a marching band, and the third with an unknown number of copies and a picture of the band assembling the first pressing. The single gained the attention and acclaim of many critics; Stereogum noted the wide variety of genre influences on the track, describing it as a "wild ride",[10] and John Doran of The Quietus lauded the group on the back of "Sunglasses" as the "best in the entire world".[11]

On 28 October 2020, Black Country, New Road signed to Ninja Tune and announced their debut album, For the First Time, which was released on 5 February 2021.[12] This announcement was backed by their third single, "Science Fair", which has no physical release. Their fourth single, "Track X", was released on 11 January 2021.[13]

2021–present: Ants from Up There and Isaac Wood's departure

On 12 October 2021, the band announced their second album Ants from Up There and released its lead single "Chaos Space Marine".[3] Four of the album's songs were released as singles: "Chaos Space Marine", "Bread Song" on 2 November 2021, "Concorde" on 30 November 2021 and "Snow Globes" on 19 January 2022.

On 3 November 2021, Black Country, New Road cancelled their upcoming European tour due to a band member's illness.[14] The band released the Never Again EP on 3 December, a Rough Trade Records exclusive limited to 1,500 copies which features covers of songs by MGMT, ABBA and Adele.[15][16]

On 31 January 2022, lead vocalist and guitarist Isaac Wood announced his sudden departure from the band four days before the release of Ants From Up There via the band's Instagram, citing struggles with his mental health.[17] This resulted in the cancelling of the band's planned first United States tour.[18] Black Country, New Road announced that the remaining six members had already began to work on new music without Wood, as they were aware of Wood's planned exit long before it was announced.[19][20] Out of respect for Wood, the band will not play any music from the first two albums live but will open the door for Wood to return in the future if he chooses to.[20] Immediately prior to Wood's departure, Tyler Hyde noted that the band's next release might not take the form of a studio album: "I know it's not going to be an album in its normal form. It would be cool to work with an orchestra; it would be cool to do a film score. These are just some of the ideas we're bouncing around at the moment."[21] Bassist Tyler Hyde had initially planned to become the band's new lead vocalist, with the option to share the duty with other members.[22]

Ants from Up There was released on 4 February 2022 to universal critical acclaim. It also debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, the band's highest placement yet.[23]

The band scheduled and announced a European tour in summer 2022. The dates will be used to road-test and perform new material.[24]

Musical style and influences

Black Country, New Road has been described as a centerpiece of a new scene of British rock bands rooted in experimental post-punk with sprechgesang – or "talk-singing" – vocals, alongside contemporaries Black Midi, Squid, Dry Cleaning, Shame, Yard Act and Irish band Fontaines D.C.[4][25] The band often references other musicians in their songs, such as jokingly referring to themselves as "the world’s second-best Slint tribute act" in the song "Science Fair".[26] "Track X" references the band's relationship with Black Midi.[27] "Sunglasses," meanwhile, features the line "leave Kanye out of this".[28] "Chaos Space Marine" and "Good Will Hunting" describe a girl with "Billie Eilish style".[29] "Athens, France" – as it appears on For the First Time – contains lyrics from Phoebe Bridgers' "Motion Sickness"[30]; the original single also references Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next".[31]

The band's debut album For the First Time is rooted in post-punk,[32] post-rock,[33] indie rock[33] and klezmer.[33] Their instrumentation also draws from American composer Steve Reich and jazz musician Ornette Coleman.[8] Wood's vocals were compared to Slint frontman Brian McMahan and The Fall lead singer Mark E. Smith;[29] his lyrics were influenced by American singer-songwriter Father John Misty, with Wood declaring "he's not the best lyricist in the world, but what he is is entirely, entirely honest."[34]

Their second album Ants From Up There was written to feature a more accessible sound.[22] It has been described as post-rock and chamber pop.[35][36] The band became "obsessed" with Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire during the United Kingdom's COVID-19 lockdown; several critics have compared songs such as "Chaos Space Marine" and "The Place Where He Inserted the Blade" to Arcade Fire.[37][38][39] Black Country, New Road also recalled listening to Kurt Vile and Frank Ocean for inspiration during the writing process.[40]

Other projects

The band regularly performs with experimental rock group Black Midi, and refer to themselves collectively as Black Midi, New Road. The most recent of these performances was a charity gig for live venue The Windmill, Brixton on 10 December 2020, and was a livestream from The Windmill's Bandcamp page, with entry to the video for £5.[41] Geordie Greep of Black Midi has stated that there will likely be a full album released under this joint moniker: “If there's another band who are really good in the same city, who you also really get on with, there's no reason not to get together and do something proper. It's just making sure you don't do it for the sake of it and you have a solid reason for doing it.”[42]

The band collaborated with fellow London musician Ethan P. Flynn on a released live version of his song "Television Show".[43]

Violinist Georgia Ellery is one half of the experimental electronic duo Jockstrap, who have released 2 EPs under Warp Records.[44] She also collaborated with Jamie xx on a BBC Radio 3 session on 30 May 2020.[45] She made her acting debut in 2019's Bait, which won a BAFTA award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Ellery has performed and recorded as a member of conservatory folk trio Contours and Happy Beigel Klezmer Orkester, a six-piece Klezmer band formed during studies at Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Bassist Tyler Hyde is the daughter of Underworld founder Karl Hyde.[46] She also performs solo as 'Tyler Cryde'.

Drummer Charlie Wayne was also a drummer of another British band, Ugly.[47] Saxophonist Lewis Evans has performed and recorded as a member of 3-piece experimental ensemble 'Guildhall Military Orchestra'. He also made a self-titled album under the alias Good With Parents and featured on the TRAAMS single "The Greyhound".[48]

Former lead singer Isaac Wood has released singles and made a collaboration EP with James Martin, titled Good Dog vs. Bad Dog, under his alias The Guest.

Members

Current members

  • Tyler Hyde – bass guitar, backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Lewis Evans – saxophone (2018–present)
  • Georgia Ellery – violin (2018–present)
  • May Kershaw – keyboards, backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Charlie Wayne – drums (2018–present)
  • Luke Mark – guitar (2019–present)

Former members

  • Isaac Wood – lead vocals, guitar (2018–2022)

Touring musicians

  • Nina Lim – violin (2021; served as substitute for Ellery while she was touring with Jockstrap)

Timeline

Discography

Albums
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[49]		 AUS
[50]
For the First Time 494
Ants from Up There
  • Released: 4 February 2022[52]
  • Label: Ninja Tune
  • Format: LP, CD, cassette, digital
 36
[53]

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details Sales
Never Again Limited to 1,500 copies

Singles
List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Athens, France" 2019 Speedy Wunderground Year 4
"Sunglasses" Non-album single
"Manchester xx/xx/20" 2020
"Science Fair" For the First Time
"Track X" 2021
"Track X (The Guest)" Non-album single
"Chaos Space Marine"[52] Ants from Up There
"Bread Song"
"Concorde"
"Snow Globes"[54] 2022

References
  1. Cartledge, Luke (4 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road – 'For The First Time' review: an utterly mesmerising debut". NME. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  2. "Black Country, New Road's "Science Fair" is explosive post-punk for end times". The FADER. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  3. Minsker, Evan (12 October 2021). "Black Country, New Road Announce New Album, Share New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  4. Perpetua, Matthew (6 May 2021). "The Post-Brexit New Wave". NPR. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  5. "Black Country, New Road: For the first time". Spectrum Culture. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  6. "Isaac Wood Of Black Country, New Road Leaves Band Due To Mental Health Reasons, Tour Canceled -". mxdwn Music. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  7. "Nervous Conditions split following sexual assault allegations against frontman". thelineofbestfit.com. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  8. Power, Ed. "Black Country, New Road's tale of triumph unfolds in the shadow of tragedy". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  9. "Listen: Black Country, New Road - 'Athens, France'". clashmusic.com. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  10. "Black Country, New Road – "Sunglasses"". stereogum.com. 25 July 2019. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  11. "The Quietus | Features | A Quietus Interview | Making Good Their Escape: Black Country New Road Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  12. "Black Country, New Road announce debut album 'For The First Time'". nme.com. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  13. "Black Country, New Road – "Track X"". stereogum.com. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  14. "Black Country, New Road cancel European tour after band member falls ill". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  15. Kenneally, Cerys (16 November 2021). "Black Country, New Road releasing covers of ABBA, Adele and more on vinyl". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  16. "Watch Black Country, New Road cover MGMT's "Time To Pretend"". The FADER. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  17. "Black Country, New Road on Instagram: "We have some news to share concerning the future of the band."". Instagram. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  18. Pearis, Bill. "Black Country, New Road singer Isaac Wood leaves band; tour canceled". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  19. Strauss, Matthew (31 January 2022). "Black Country, New Road Frontman Isaac Wood Departs Band Days Before New Album Release". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  20. King, Pat (3 February 2022). "What Lies Ahead for Black Country, New Road?". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  21. Foster, Rosie (March 2022). "Black Country, New Road: Q&A". Uncut.
  22. "Recounting: Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road". Rough Trade Blog. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  23. "Bastille bag third Number 1 album with Give Me The Future". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  24. "Black Country, New Road announce tour with new line-up to "road-test" new material". NME. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  25. Schonfeld, Zach (13 October 2021). "The Eternal Cool of Talk Singing". The Ringer. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  26. Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (5 February 2021). "Black Country, New Road forge their own path with For the First Time". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  27. "Black Country, New Road - "Track X (The Guest)"". Stereogum. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  28. Empire, Kitty. "Black Country, New Road review – truly a sound less travelled". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  29. "Black Country, New Road – 'Ants From Up There' review: majestic, romantic indie-rock". NME. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  30. "Black Country, New Road are one of the most exciting and original British bands in years". New Statesman. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  31. "Black Country, New Road unleash sardonic, mutating debut track "Athen's, France"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  32. "Black Country, New Road: For the first time". Pitchfork. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  33. "Introducing… Black Country, New Road, the experimental act turning British rock inside out". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  34. "Mystery men, stage fright and Jewish party music: an interview with…". The Face. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  35. Pareles, Jon (7 February 2022). "Black Country, New Road's Perilous Triumph". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  36. "Black Country, New Road push against the fate of oblivion on the excellent Ants From Up Here". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  37. "Black Country, New Road Still Soar Above Their Peers on 'Ants from Up There' | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  38. "Black Country, New Road on love, aliens, and the perfect pop of Ants From Up There". The FADER. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  39. "Black Country, New Road: 'We are really, really deep in debt. We need some hits'". inews.co.uk. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  40. Ants From Up There by Black Country, New Road, 4 February 2022, retrieved 5 February 2022. Apple Music liner notes.
  41. "Black Midi and Black Country, New Road cover Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen and more in livestreamed gig". nme.com. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  42. Daniel Dylan Wray (7 April 2021). "The Road To The Best Ever: Black Midi Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  43. "Ethan P. Flynn - "Television Show (Live)" (Feat. Black Country, New Road)". Stereogum. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  44. "Meet Jockstrap, an Uncanny Electro-Pop Duo From the Retro Future". pitchfork.com. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  45. "Listen to Jamie xx and Jockstrap's Georgia Ellery's new quarantine collaboration". nme.com. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  46. "Black Country, New Road: sax and violins from Britain's most prestigious new band". NME. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  47. "Charlie Wayne's band "Ugly"". gigwise.com. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  48. "TRAAMS return with their first new music in nearly five years". readdork.com. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  49. "Black Country, New Road | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  50. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 15 February 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1615. Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 February 2021. p. 6.
  51. Dale, Jessica Dale & Wall, Sam (21 January 2020). "We've Got a Big Year Ahead of Us – These Are the Albums That Will Define 2021". The Music. Retrieved 26 January 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  52. Richards, Will (12 October 2021). "Black Country, New Road announce second album 'Ants from Up There' and share 'Chaos Space Marine'". NME. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  53. "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  54. "Listen to Black Country, New Road's arresting new single 'Snow Globes'". NME. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.