FEATURE: Spotlight: Coach Party — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Coach Party

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IN spite of 2020…

PHOTO CREDIT: SHOT BY PHOX

being a steaming bowl of cat spunk, there has been some terrific music and incredible artists emerging. Despite a lack of gigs in which to cut their teeth and hone their sound, so many wonderful new artists are building their portfolio at the most difficult time in modern history for music. I sympathise with everyone in the industry but there is hope that, at some juncture next year, venue doors will reopen and there will be the swell and much-missed buzz of communities and crowds bonding to the sounds of live music! One of my favourite acts of the moment hail from the same area as a recent Spotlight inclusion, Lauran Hibberd: the Isle of Wight. It is, perhaps, not the area one would highlight as a Mecca for interesting and promising new artists, but it is clear that more eyes need to be trained that way. Before moving on, I want to bring in a couple of articles/sites that introduce the fantastic Coach Party. This is from their official website:

“Hotly tipped 4 piece from the Isle of Wight with infectious songs and witty lyrics far beyond their years are about to become part of YOUR life.

The band will be releasing their debut single ‘Lola’ later in 2019. This sub 2 minute track, along with 5 others all produced in their own studio on the Isle of Wight are turning heads all round the music industry. With further singles to follow early in 2020, the full 6 track mini-album will drop in the Spring of 2020”.

There is (rightly) a lot of buzz around Coach Party. The band are putting out some terrific music and there is a real connection and bond between the band members. They have even made it into the pages of NME and their feature, What’s Your Band Called, Mate?

“What’s your band called, mate?

“Hi! We’re Coach Party / Jess, Steph, Joe & Guy (singer first drummer last, obviously)”

What do you want to achieve with your music?

“If being a band can continue to keep us happy, sane and give us a way of saying stuff which we don’t know how to say in normal conversation, and we generally achieve a success rate above 20% of listeners enjoying it in some way, then I think we would have done ok at music”.

The band’s new track, Really OK on My Own, is one that I really like and respond to. It is energised and raw, but there is something delightfully oldskool about the track. It is a song that would benefit from a good airing in a live setting - so I know the band will be keen to get out there as soon as possible! Back in June, Coach Party released their excellent E.P., Party Food. It is one, as Rough Trade write, that is very interesting and contains some great highlights:

“Emerging Isle of Wight four-piece Coach Party release their debut EP Party Food via Chess Club. The 6-track Party Food EP was produced by the band’s own Guy Page and continues their association with Chess Club - a label famed for breaking new talent, where recent signings include Alfie Templeman and Phoebe Green, and past successes include Jungle and Wolf Alice.

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  <p style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;" class=""><em>Standouts on the EP include Oh Lola which explodes onto the speakers with energy, passion and hooks. Think the uptempo moments of Big Moon and Silent Alarm era Bloc Party. Breakdown has a fuller sound but has the same bounce and intensity</em>”.</p><p class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Although the band have not been performing together for long, their music does sound very tight and original - and I think they will continue to explore and build as a unit. I wonder whether lockdown is affecting artists in terms of how they write (compared to normal), and it would be interesting to see if Coach Party release any music before things start to return to near-normal. They are a group whose following will grow, and their new E.P. has found many willing and exciting ears. I want to bring in a review from <a href="https://www.underscorepart3.co.uk/2020/06/ep-review-coach-partys-party-food-ep-boasts-a-number-of-endlessly-enjoyable-rock-influenced-tunes-and-makes-a-perfect-debut-full-length-release.html"><em>Underscore PART3</em></a>, who through some love the way of Coach Party: </p><p style="text-align:center;white-space:pre-wrap;" class="">&nbsp;“<em>Impressive guitar tracks and endlessly relatable lyrics make up Breakdown, the fourth EP track. A chaotic emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, this track has several tempo changes and shows off the group’s ability to compose an incredibly diverse instrumental. We were kept guessing throughout from the relaxed intro all the way through to the highly energetic, fun-filled instrumental break following the slower section mid-song. Just as it feels we are nearing the end of the track, the instrumental picks back up and offers unforgettable guitars alongside a ridiculously cool drum beat.</em></p>
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Space is another stylish indie-pop tune, with a brilliant contrast between it’s first verse and the rest of the song. As one of the three singles, Space helped to prepare us for the full EP and represents much of what Coach Party are capable of; endlessly enjoyable rock-influenced tunes, with beautifully honest lyrics. As we edge closer to the end of the EP, Space offers some easy listening while maintaining the incredibly high standard set by the previous tracks. The same can be said for Red Jumper Boy, the final track on the EP. A gorgeous track, made up of Eastwood’s dreamy vocals and a relaxed drum beat, all building up to an upbeat final track. With ambitious, yet well-executed and perfectly suited guitar parts, Red Jumper Boy is another EP highlight of ours. Offering listeners a fun, unique guitar solo towards the end of the track, Coach Party seem to know exactly how to leave us all wanting more from them.

From start to finish, Party Food is an incredible ride and boasts beautiful performances from all four members that truly help to show just what this band is capable of and will inevitably make a great name for the group. It is clear, following this release, that Coach Party are nowhere near finished and we’re excited to see what comes next for the endlessly talented group”.

It has been a busy year in spite of everything, and I can appreciate people would usually judge a new band or artist based on their experience of seeing them live. Coach Party do have some gigs forthcoming and, let’s hope, with changing advice from the Government and a general unpredictability they are able to fulfil as many as possible. Coach Party are awesome in a live setting, and they will be itching to get these songs out to as many people as possible! Whilst there are some great venues in the Isle of Wight, I think there are venues in the capital and further afield that would welcome them in. I am going to wrap things up but, as one can glean a bit about an artist from interviews, I wanted to bring in one they have to DORK back in May. Jess from the band shed some light:

“We hear you all live and work on the Isle of Wight - what's that like? Is travelling for gigs a pain?

Firstly, yes. However, the most painful thing is 100% the price of catching the ferry, she really burns a hole in your pocket (love you ferry companies, please don't ban us). The timings can be quite testing as well, especially if its really late. But despite all that, the ferries are worth catching for the dog deck, it can be a very wholesome hour.

How did you guys all meet and decide to form a band together then?

Living on the Isle Of Wight, everyone low-key knows each other, especially as we have such a tight-knit music scene. Guy and Joe (guitarist) used to be in this really cool band called 'Polar Maps', which Steph (guitarist) and myself used to really enjoy. We approached them with some songs initially just to help us out and make them sound better, and they did such a good job that it made sense for the four of us to do something all together. That's when Coach Party was birthed.

What do you most enjoy writing songs about?

It's an opportunity to say things how they are, in the comfort of sweet melodies and without the confrontational backlash of a real-world conversation... and that one step closer to making that one-hit-wonder.

How did you hook up with Chess Club Records?

Our one of a kind gift from God manager, Jonathan Morley, has such belief in us and our music. His positive and restless energy is what led us to meet Will and Pete from Chess Club, along with the rest of our amazing team. Big up Chess Club, Freetrade and They Do.

Anything else we should know?

Hidden talents that aren't talents: Steph is extremely average at skating, check out Instagram for proof. Guy 'the rage' Page is the former Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex (the world) schoolboy bantamweight Champion. Joe has never been photographed without a pint. And for me, I can walk into any kitchen and tell you where the cutlery draw is, based on gut feeling”.

If all of this isn’t enough to tempt you the way of Coach Party, then you will just need to go and see them play when it is safe! Go and support their music, follow them on social media and keep your peepers out for what they do next. If you thought the Isle of Wight was a bit quiet when it came to incredible musical gold, then the amazing Coach Party…