Welcome to this week’s Launch Box featuring Viola Beach
If you like: Atlas Genius, Two Door Cinema Club, Walk the Moon
While humbly describing themselves as a group of beer drinking pals who just happen to make music together, North England-based four-piece band Viola Beach was officially formed in May 2015. Lead vocalist Kris Leonard and drummer Jack Dakin have been friends since grade school. He met bassist Tomas Lowe at a bar they both worked at, and he and River Reeves had a music course together in college. Although they’ve just started releasing songs, the music has the quality of a band that has been together for years.
Their first single “Swings & Waterslides” brings a summertime feel that makes you want to get up and dance but also has a definite swagger and punky arrogance to it.
Carrying a little more of a rock edge, their debut’s b-side is much more chill. “Cherry Vimto” tells the story of the initial battle of trying to get over a breakup and the defeat when you cave in and plea for your significant other to stay.
The follow-up tracks have been produced by super-producer Ian Grimble (Communion Records founder and producer for Mumford & Sons, Bear’s Den, Rhodes) They definitely draw similarities to Swings in the energy and the vibe.
The new year promises new releases, and many more shows. Keep Viola Beach on your radar.