The recent single ‘Roommate’ from Black Lounge put the Essex next wave indie-rock hopes on the upwards trajectory, landing fresh support from BBC Introducing, Track of the Day from This Feeling, and leading to a London headline show at The Victoria as well as sweaty and packed pop-up gig at Camden’s recently relaunched Barfly. Now Black Lounge continue to fire forwards with the new single ‘Sake of a Laugh’. Both songs will feature on their upcoming debut EP. Listen HERE.
An intoxicating rush of indie-pop melody, with a chorus that embeds itself in the memory after one play, and a liberated and carefree attitude, ‘Sake of a Laugh’ feels like a natural follow-up to ‘Roommate’ – a flashback to the early 2000s and the peak eras of The Libertines and The View, but played with the runaway energy of a young band beginning to breakthrough for the first time. That zest for life informs the lyrics too, with the boyish abandon of taking a joke too far – essentially, when good bantz go OTT and result in bad times.
Influenced by the likes of Wunderhouse, Arctic Monkeys and Geese, George Grant formed Black Lounge in Essex in 2024, before the band’s initially fluid line-up was solidified this year with the addition of Ben Gulik (lead guitar), James Ladds (bass) and Jack Cassidy (drums). Early DIY releases and gigs with the likes of The Molotovs and The Clause showed their potential, leading the band to be one of the first to sign to Right Tracks, the new boutique venture from Chrysalis co-founder and industry legend Chris Wright.
Suddenly everything fell into place. George’s authentic, natural songwriting style was now being complemented by band mates who could help bring out the best in him and excel live; the expertise of Danton Supple was a levelling up moment, and one that really ignited the band’s excitement for the future; and Right Tracks provided the guidance and opportunities that any band needs to progress. So for Black Lounge, the future starts now…
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