Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
The RPMs are set to release their new single ‘Your Ghost’ via Xtra Mile Recordings on March 16 to coincide with a series of SXSW gigs in Austin, Texas, including the prestigious British Music Embassy showcase gig on March 16.
New single ‘Your Ghost’ is an upbeat keyboard driven number that fuses widescreen melancholia against a classic backdrop of modern indie pop, to create a song that has all the promise of a future indie pop classic in waiting. The energetic video for the track premiered via Dork on February 13. Speaking of the song, the band commented to Dork, “You Ghost deals with something most people experience at one time or another in their lives; of being haunted by the image of someone you’re trying to forget and move on from, but you can still see them wherever you go.”
The RPM’s emerged from the current Brighton scene that has also birthed contemporaries Black Honey and Fickle Friends. The band was formed in Dorset by childhood friends Jack Valero (lead vocals, guitar), Callum James, (drums and backing vocals). Following a move to Brighton they were joined by Miguel Cosme on bass and gained early momentum in 2016 for their debut EP, ‘Digital Disobedience, followed by their second EP in 2017, ‘Agents of Change ’ released via Xtra Mile Recordings. The ‘Agents’ EP was accompanied by a run of summer and festival shows including Camden Rocks, Isle Of Wight Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Butefest, Big Feastival (Run by Jamie Oliver & Alex James) and RivFest.
Inspired by the support of recent singles ‘Oh My God’ and ‘Things I Forgot To Do’, The RPM’s expanded to a five piece, adding in Chris Bowden on keyboards and Ollie Summer on lead guitar to create a larger live sound and carve out a slightly different sonic direction. Aided by in demand producer Gethin Pearson (Mallory Knox/Charli XCX), that ambition sees fruition with their first collaboration ‘Your Ghost’ and a concerted push to reach wider audiences. The band also mark 2018 with other significant milestones: their SXSW debut, being chosen by Huw Stephens as one of his Alternative Tips for 2018 and their first Radio X-Posure One Night Stand – Session in February.
Support includes Huw Stephens (5 plays), Huw’s Alternative Tips for 2018, R1 Introducing Hot List, BBC Radio 1; Steve Lamacq, Chris Hawkins, Tom Robinson, Introducing Mixtape, BBC 6 Music; John Kennedy (7 plays), X-Posure Playlist, One Night Stand – Live Session – Feb 13, Radio X; Melita Dennett, Dave Warren, Casey Heyburn, BBC Intro South; Charlie Ashcroft, Amazing Radio; Playlisting, Soundlab Radio; Morphett Radio; plus blogs Dork; Clash Magazine; Louder Than War. Spotify: Hot New Bands playlist (#25, 5 Weeks), official SXSW playlist (5 weeks).
LIVE + SESSIONS
13th Feb – Radio X, One Night Stand – In session, John Kennedy, X-Posure
16th Feb – The Remedy, Tooting Tram and Social, London
March 11- 18 – Official band SXSW Showcase Gig – date TBA
16th March – British Music Embassy Showcase SXSW
17th March – Artist Group International/Xtra Mile Recordings Showcase SXSW
31st March – Stockton Calling Festival
14th April – When In Manchester Festival
3rd May – Lincoln Engine Shed – BBC Intro ‘Plugged’ night
5th May – Live At Leeds
6th May – Liverpool Sound City
14th May – Frank Turner Lost Evenings Xtra Mile Festival, The Roundhouse, London
26th May – Bearded Theory Festival
4th August – LeeFest Neverworld
