A Manchester-based musician and band have earned the support of The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, resulting in a slot at Kendal Calling next year.
The band, put together by lead musician Rhys Eccles, makes refreshing indie-pop music, taking inspiration from Disco and the Indie genre.
According to guitarist and keys player Jack Iddon, the band is heavily influenced by The Smiths and New Order.
Jack met Tim Burgess whilst working on the barriers at Crewe station and asked for a photograph with the star.
He then managed to grab the phone number of Tim’s management.
Wow! Dreams really come true. I asked @tim_burgess for selfie, told him I was in a band, he asked me to send him a song. He passed it on to @chrishawkinsuk. We just got played on @bbc6music and got offered a gig at @kendalcalling. What a morning! pic.twitter.com/8RWvwwdBYC
— Jack Iddon (@iddon_jack) December 12, 2020
“Upon joining the band I shared Rhys’ music with the management of Ogenesis records via text.
“He called me back explained that he and Tim loved the songs, and he managed to get us radio play on [BBC] Radio 6 music with Tim Hawkins.
“He also explained he would give Rhys a slot at Kendal Calling.”
We have an extra surprise to add to the story. Tim gave us a shout to let us know that @RhysEMusic will be playing in Tim Peaks at @KendalCalling next Summer. See you in the fields lads… https://t.co/nsoc4VCLOa
— Kendal Calling 🦌 (@KendalCalling) December 12, 2020
Jack talked a bit about what the support from someone like Tim means to them.
He said: “From Rhys’ perspective having a link to Tim and Kendal Calling is massive.
“It’s nice to know we have that backing and also advice from people in the music industry liking his songs.
“Having said that, he is sure to create his own wave through his infectious sound and personality”
On Twitter Rhys said he was “proper buzzing” to get his first national radio play this morning on BBC Radio 6.
proper buzzing to get r first bit of national radioplay, all come from r @iddon_jack playing to the tunes to @Tim_Burgess at crewe station, madness. Thanks @ChrisHawkinsUK and see you next year @KendalCalling pic.twitter.com/lCAuaZthpg
— Rhys E (@RhysEMusic) December 12, 2020
Jack added: “Rhys writes 2/3 songs a day and is the main creative force behind the project.
“I have always known Rhys was a good songwriter. He released the track ‘Love Is A Pleasure’ in April 2020 – I immediately knew it was a banger.”
You can listen to Love Is A Pleasure and more tunes from Rhys and the band on Spotify linked below or on YouTube.
Let us know what you think of the tunes @PieRadioUK
Featured image of Rhys Eccles: Taken by Shaun Peckham.